Former IBF junior welterweight titleholder Liam Paro will face France's David Papot in Brisbane, Australia, on September 18.
The No Limit Boxing show will take place at the Pat Rafter Arena, marking the first time the tennis venue has been used for boxing.
Paro, 26-1 (16 KOs), will be boxing up at welterweight, where, he recently told BoxingScene, he was open to exploring lucrative opportunities. The Aussie southpaw defeated American Jonathan Navarro in June in Cairns, Australia, having won his world title in Puerto Rico in 2024 with an upset win over Subriel Matias. Paro lost the belt in his first defense to the gifted Richardson Hitchins.
“I’ve been to the top before,” said Paro, from Mackay, Queensland. “I know what it takes to become a champion, but this time it’s about more than a belt. It’s about becoming the name people talk about for years to come. To fight for a world title shot in my home state, in a venue as iconic as Pat Rafter Arena, is something special. David Papot is tough, seasoned and coming here to win — but I’ve sacrificed too much to let this slip. Brisbane, we’re making history, and I’m going to make sure you remember exactly where you were the night it happened.”
Papot is a 30-0-1 (5 KOs) southpaw whose career would be taken to new heights with a win over an ex-titlist.
Papot has boxed just once outside of France, drawing over 12 with James McGirt Jnr in the US in 2019.
Former junior lightweight contender Liam Wilson will also appear on the card.
No Limit CEO George Rose said, “Liam Paro has arrived and this fight is going to be electric. He’s charging back to the top with this massive world title eliminator in his new weight class. He asked us for the biggest fight we could make – and it doesn’t get bigger than a world title eliminator in Queensland, in front of a packed home crowd. Liam’s not just chasing big fights, he wins them. That’s why this one’s so exciting, because it’s the start of another huge chapter for him.
“It’s also great to have Liam Wilson back in Brisbane, where he’s produced some unforgettable nights. He’s a Caboolture boy, just down the road, and he always brings fireworks. This is his third fight this year, and he’ll stop at nothing to get another crack at the world title.”
