Queenslander Liam Paro has produced one of the great performances in Australian boxing history, winning the IBF junior welterweight title with a stunning unanimous points win over Subriel Matias in Manati, Puerto Rico.
The 28-year-old Australian, a $5.50 outsider, won 115-112 on two cards and 116-111 on the third.
“I’m a true warrior. I’ve got the heart of a lion. I showed that,” Paro said on DAZN.
He dedicated his win to a former Cowboys under 20 rugby league player Regan Grieve, who died in 2015.
His persistent jab, uppercuts and combination punches carried the day against Matias, who was rarely able to show his renowned pressure.
Paro had a point taken off in the seventh round for hitting to the back of the head.
It was a contentious ruling, described by the fight commentator Chris Mannix as “disgraceful”, “disgusting” and “ridiculous”.
Liam Paro. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Fortunately for the Australian, it didn’t affect the fight.
He banked rounds early against the notoriously slow-starting Matias.
While the Puerto Rican boxer landed some powerful flurries, especially in the middle rounds, Paro recovered from the point deduction and clearly won the last few rounds.
Fight promoter Eddie Hearn called Paro’s win an “absolute masterclass” and praised the Aussie for stepping up to fight Matias.
“We said he’d (Paro) have to get his (Matias) respect, he did that,” Hearn said.
“He pushed him back, he boxed off the back foot. It was an absolute masterclass, I had it so wide.
“With three or four rounds to go, Matias needed a knockout. It wasn’t even close, it was a masterclass from Liam Paro.
“And to come to Puerto Rico, the backyard of the guy that no-one wanted to fight, that is a massive win for Liam Paro, a massive win for Australian boxing.”
Paro’s victory was the 25th in his unbeaten career. Matias suffered his first loss in five fights.
(With AAP)