PARO GETS TURN ON BIG S TAGE

T O WNS V I L L E p r o d u c t Liam Paro is closing in on his own world title shot just a year after he helped Jeff Horn score his monumental victory over Manny Pacquiao at Suncorp Stadium.

The livewire world No. 6 will fight German prospect Robert Tlatlik in a sold- out show at the Brisbane Convention Centre on Saturday week to be televised by Fox, in his first big step towards facing world junior- welterweight champion Maurice Hooker in America.

Undefeated in 14 fights Paro, now based in Brisbane, says his Polish sparring partner Rafal Grabowski will be the key to victory next week.

Grabowski has just come from England, where he was training with former world titleholder Amir Khan, and he and Paro have been slugging away furiously at Harry Costi’s Coorparoo Boxing Gym.

Paro says the undefeated Pole is the perfect training partner for the biggest test of his career.

“Rafal is a really good pressure fighter like the German I’m fighting,’’ Paro said.

“We flew him out to Brisbane two weeks ago and we have had some fantastic sparring sessions.

“This is the biggest fight of my life and I’m just so thrilled that the public have come out to support me and that Fox are showing the bout.

“My trainer, Alfie Di Carlo, has me in great shape and I’m ready to score a big win that will push me higher up the world rankings.”

Horn said Paro was instrumental in him beating Pacquiao.

“Liam is a real talent,” Horn said. “He gave me great sparring in the weeks leading up to the big win at Suncorp.

“Liam is a very slick boxer with great balance and good power. He has a great chance to become world champ in his weight class.”

Paro’s mentor, Mark Flanagan, will be fighting for the interim WBA cruiserweight title in France on October 20.