Liam Paro’s IBF Super-Lightweight Title Victory Paves the Way for Matchroom to Stage a “Big” Fight in Australia
Liam Paro’s surprise victory in claiming the IBF super-lightweight title has opened up an exciting opportunity for promoter Matchroom Boxing to stage a major fight in Australia. This aligns with the company’s geographical approach, which has seen recent high-profile bouts take place in the likes of Philadelphia, New Orleans, and Puerto Rico.
According to Matchroom’s Eddie Hearn, plans are in place for the 28-year-old Paro to make the first defense of his newly won title in Australia in November. Hearn mentioned the potential for the winner of the August 24th clash between Jack Catterall and Regis Prograis to be Paro’s next opponent. Initially, Paro was scheduled to challenge Prograis for the WRC title in June 2023, but a career-threatening injury forced him to be replaced by Danielito Zorrilla.
“We want to bring him home for a world championship defense,” Hearn stated. “So we’re looking at the winner of Catterall against Prograis; we’re looking at Devin Haney; Richardson Hitchins is the mandatory as well. Could it be a George Kambosos, all-Australian fight? It might make sense, if he steps up to 140lbs.”
Paro’s unexpected triumph over then-champion Subriel Matias has now earned him the opportunity for a homecoming title fight in his native Queensland, or potentially in other Australian cities such as Sydney, which have expressed interest in hosting international boxing events. Hearn revealed that Matchroom is in discussions with various state governments to bring a major bout to Australia in the October-November timeframe.
Paro’s victory continues the upward trajectory of Australian boxing, which has seen the likes of Tim Tszyu, George Kambosos Jr., and Jai Opetaia establish themselves on the global stage. Hearn acknowledged the significant potential in the Australian market, highlighting the passionate fan base and the opportunity to further develop boxing stars in the country.
The promoter also addressed the challenge of limited free-to-air television exposure in Australia, with most boxing content being available only through pay-per-view platforms. This, he believes, has hindered the ability to build the profiles of Australian fighters and the sport’s overall popularity.
With Paro now holding a world title, Matchroom sees this as the ideal time to stage a major event in Australia, capitalizing on the country’s growing interest in the sport.
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