Liam Paro was deep into a Las Vegas sparring session against Shakur Stevenson when, he says, the American superstar began getting more than a little pissed.
And why?
Paro vs Papot | THURSDAY 18 SEPT 7PM AEST | Liam Paro’s quest to recapture gold continues, as he moves up in weight to take on undefeated Frenchman David Papot, with the winner set up to compete for the IBF Welterweight Title. | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports.
“Reckoned I was headbutting him,” Paro grins.
“We’re into this spar and suddenly he’s whinging, complaining, saying I’m doing this and that …”
Which quickly began to wear on the Mackay southpaw.
Same deal, he recounts now for Fox Sports Australia, another fella watching on from ringside.
“Yeah, Terence Crawford,” Paro continues, smile widening at the memory.
“Terence had come into the gym this particular day to watch us spar and could hear Shakur carrying on.
“After a while, he finally shouts, ‘well, shut the f*** up and do something then’.
“And to hear Terence Crawford say that to my opponent? While I was sparring?
“Man, phenomenal.”
Says plenty about you too, right?
“I know Shakur Stevenson likes to keep things pretty,” the Aussie shrugs, “but I’m in a fight.
“Together, we were doing 10 four-minute rounds.
“And you know me, I’ll just keep fighting until I can’t no more …”
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Which is why only days after Crawford went and shocked the world – upsetting Mexico’s Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez before an Allegiant Stadium crowd of 70,000 last Sunday – Paro is now looking to create his own headline.
Or more specifically, punch himself into a world title fight during this Thursday’s IBF eliminator against undefeated Frenchman David Papot.
A boxer since the age of five, Papot certainly hasn’t held back since arriving Down Under this past fortnight.
Apart from initially suggesting he had seen almost zero tape of Paro fighting, the 34-year-old also gave few props when then shown iPhone footage of the Queenslander — branding him “nothing special”.
In 31 professional appearances, Papot has yet to be beaten.
“But I’m the guy,” Paro tells Fox Sports Australia now, “who will solve that puzzle”.
And from there?
“World titles,” he says.
Indeed, should Paro hand the unbeaten Frenchman his first loss in 12 years at Pat Rafter Arena this Thursday night, he is then slated to face new IBF welterweight champ Lewis Crocker – who won said strap against fellow Irishman Paddy Donovan last Sunday.
Fighting only hours before Crawford, Crocker’s own decision victory also represented a huge boilover for the gritty Belfast boy.
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Yet while No Limit are convinced Paro will now be next for the fighting Irishman with a victory this week, Crocker’s own management – led by Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn – are talking differently.
Immediately after Sunday’s win, Hearn suggested his newest champion could potentially go straight into a title showdown against popular Englishman Conor Benn, who is also part of the Matchroom stable.
Intriguingly, Paro was also himself once signed to Hearn.
However, the Aussie insists there isn’t any lingering bad blood with the heavyweight English promoter – and certainly not enough to prevent a world title fight.
“But I’m not surprised by the Benn talk,” he shrugs.
“Eddie Hearn, he wants to keep that belt inside his stable.
“And they know if I get to Lewis Crocker, I also get his belt.
“That’s what it is.
“They know he fights me, and I take the belt from him.
“And promoters want to keep all the jewels.”
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Regardless, Paro also quickly pointed to No Limit’s strong relationship with heavyweight US promoters PBC, who themselves have two welterweight champions of their own — Mario Barrios and Rolando ‘Rolly’ Romero.
“So the Rose boys can put me in the opposite corner to any world champion,” Paro continues, “and I’ll be happy.
“Because I’m confident I can beat any of them.
“And with the influence No Limit have globally, I know they can get me that world title shot with a win on Thursday night.
“And can bring the fight Down Under, too.
“How awesome would that be?
“So I don’t care who it is, line ‘em all up.
“Because that’s what means the most to me … and I am going to win a world title here.”
Despite only signing with No Limit this year, and now being billed as something of a breakout pay-per-view star, Paro is no stranger to big fights – earning his own huge upset against IBF super lightweight king Subriel Matias last year.
It was during the build to that bout where Paro spent several months Stateside, sparring the likes of Stevenson, Devin Haney and Romero.
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Despite then losing his first title defence against American Richardson Hitchins, Paro has since revealed how a torturous weight cut not only impacted his preparation, but convinced he and his team to begin this new world title tilt.
Ironically too, in the welterweight division where Crawford once reigned undisputed.
Asked about ‘Bud’ climbing two weight classes to upset Alvarez in last Sunday’s ‘Fight of the Century’, Paro continues: “Just one word … wow.
“Everyone already knew how good Terence Crawford was, but now he’s gone and really certified it.
“The guy is a generational talent; an absolute freak.
“I’m just glad I’ve been here to watch him fight …”
Same deal, of course, having also now had the big fella watch him work up close.
And as for any other memories from that spar with Stevenson, now the reigning WBC lightweight king?
“You know, I’ve still got a picture of Shakur and I from that day,” Paro smiles. “It’s on my Instagram page, both of us stood there together after the spar.
“And you can see by the look on Shakur’s face, he is upset.
“But that’s OK.
“Let him be salty.”
Paro vs Papot | THURSDAY 18 SEPT 7PM AEST | Liam Paro’s quest to recapture gold continues, as he moves up in weight to take on undefeated Frenchman David Papot, with the winner set up to compete for the IBF Welterweight Title. | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports.