Liam Paro didn’t have it all his own way against David Papot but did just enough to get the victory on the cards after 12 gruelling rounds. Paro, the former IBF junior welterweight champion, is now on target to challenge new IBF boss at 147lbs, Lewis Crocker.
But it was a tougher affair than the scorecards suggested – 117-111, 116-112 (twice) – and surely tougher than Paro would have wanted. But he was philosophical in victory after surviving a closed right eye, an injury that left his vision hampered from the fourth round until the last.
“Man, same old shit,” Paro said after his arm had been raised. “Kept ticking over, get my bearings and win the fucking rounds.
“The guy isn’t undefeated for no reason and he can whack for someone with five KOs. This is world level – everyone can fucking fight. On to the next one.”
The 29-year-old Paro, fighting in front of his hometown fans, certainly worked hard inside at Brisbane’s Pat Rafter Arena against Papot, 30-1-1 (5 KOs). The Frenchman, 34, endured a taxing opening – his nose was bloodied in the third – before a tremendous fourth session in which the underdog had long periods of success, his southpaw left doing the damage to Paro’s eye.
Paro bit down and fought back through the middle rounds, the seventh and eighth in particular, as Papot frequently threw his arms wide to indicate he wasn’t hurt. The rapid pace continued until the final bell. Papot certainly had his moments but it was Paro, who crossed himself before before the start of the 12th and then proceeded to fight with the belief he needed to win the final three minutes to secure victory. That he did, but Papot, dangerous throughout, played his part in a terrific battle.
At the end, Paro turned to the camera and said, “I can barely see. She’s a pearler, I’ll be wearing some sunnies,” before adding it won’t keep him out of the gym for long as he hopes a showdown with Crocker – who upset Paddy Donovan last weekend to take the title – can be arranged.
