Paro sets sights on title
BOXING sensation Liam Paro is planning to use his homecoming fight in Mackay tonight as the springboard for a world title challenge against American Maurice Hooker at the end of the year.
Paro, 22, who is now the No.4 contender for Hooker’s WBO junior-welterweight crown, faces Italian champion Massimiliano Ballisai tonight at the sold-out Mackay Entertainment and Convention Centre.
His rapid rise up the world rankings includes winning the world youth title on the Gold Coast last year and he goes into tonight’s battle unbeaten in 15 pro fights.
A big win will world title cause.
“I’ve always wanted to fight in Mackay and put on a show for everyone in my hometown because they have given me so much support since my amateur days. It makes me so excited to show people how much I’ve improved over the years,’’ Paro said.
“I’m proud to say I’m from Mackay. I love the place so much – they’re my family for life.’’
Paro hopes a big win tonight will be followed with a push his fight against Turkish Olympian Fatih Keles, who is also unbeaten as a pro, and then the Hooker world title challenge by Christmas.
Paro’s trainer Alfie Di Carlo has been coaching him for three years, since the young sensation moved to Brisbane from Townsville, where he trained under Upper Ross Hawks coach Dennis Clancy.
“I believe Liam is Australia’s hottest prospect and that he can follow Jeff Horn to a world title,’’ Di Carlo said.
“A lot of people in Mackay have supported Liam for a long time by travelling down to Brisbane to watch his fights, so we are looking to give something back with him now facing a really good opponent in his hometown.”
Ballisai, 34, has been a pro fighter for 11 years, and has a record of 22 wins and five losses. This week Paro paid his respects at the resting place of his childhood friend Regan Grieve, the North Queensland Cowboys prospect who sadly took his own life aged just 18 on Australia Day 2015.
He says he wants a big win tonight to honour the memory of his great friend, whose “massive spirit’’ inspired him to reach the heights of boxing success.
“I’m carrying his legacy as much as I can,” Paro said.
“I’ll make sure to my last breath that he will never be forgotten.
“I got the tattoo there and he’s always with me.
“We’re doing it together; it’s not just my journey, it’s our journey.”
I BELIEVE LIAM IS AUSTRALIA’S HOTTEST PROSPECT AND THAT HE CAN FOLLOW JEFF HORN TO A WORLD TITLE