Liam Paro kicks off talks for an Aussie super fight with George Kambosos as he prepares to launch his world-title defence

Liam Paro shocked the boxing world with his world-title boilover in June. Now the Queenslander is ready to return to the ring and talks are underway for a domestic super fight with George Kambosos.

Liam Paro reacts after his fight against Subriel Matias at Coliseo Juan Aubn Cruz Abreu in Manati, Puerto Rico.

Queensland sensation Liam Paro is set to launch his maiden world-title defence before Christmas in the first step towards a proposed Australian blockbuster against George Kambosos.

This masthead can reveal Paro is ready to return to the ring to defend the IBF super lightweight world title he sensationally won with a monster upset of Puerto Rico’s Subriel Matias in June.

One of just two current Australian male world champions alongside Jai Opetaia, Paro (25-0) is expected to defend his IBF strap overseas, most likely against American mandatory Richardson Hitchins (18-0) in November or December.

Paro, 28, was initially hoping to have his first world-title defence on Australian soil but the Mackay mauler faces another overseas trip to keep his champion status intact.

Should he successfully defend his IBF crown, Paro’s next fight could be a domestic super fight with ‘Ferocious’ Kambosos, who is stepping up to super lightweight in pursuit of becoming a two-division world champion.

Paro’s manager Angelo Di Carlo said he had kicked off preliminary talks with Kambosos’ American co-promoter Lou DiBella to stage one of the biggest Australian fights in 20 years, slated for February or March next year.

“George Kambosos is looking to go up to super lightweight. I’ve had some talks with Lou and they are keen on the fight with Liam,” Di Carlo said.

“Liam Paro versus Kambosos would be a huge fight for Australia — 100 per cent we would be keen on it.

“It would be the biggest Australian fight since (Anthony) Mundine- (Danny) Green (in 2006).

“There would be nothing close to it.

Paro is eyeing an Aussie blockbuster with George Kambosos (left), who is stepping up to super lightweight.

“We’ve been talking with Lou DiBella and we have both agreed that it’s a great Australian fight to put on.

“George and Liam consider themselves as friends and there is a lot of respect between them, but business is business.

“Both of them have done it the hard way. They haven’t had the support that Tim Tszyu has had. They’ve had to fight overseas and win overseas in big fights.

“Both parties have tentatively agreed that they are happy to fight, so now it’s just a matter of timing.”

It is understood Kambosos could make his debut at super lightweight in December following his IBF world-title loss to Ukraine legend Vasiliy Lomachenko in May in Perth.

The 31-year-old Sydneysider (21-3) famously shocked Teofimo Lopez in 2021 to become a unified lightweight world champion before losing his belts in back-to-back losses to Devin Haney in Melbourne.

A first-up win at super lightweight could put Kambosos on course for a shot at ‘The Prodigy’ Paro, whose hopes of fighting Haney have been dashed by the American’s $4 million asking price.

Paro dishes out punishment to Matias in their world-title showdown.

The IBF is likely to order Paro to defend his title against Hitchins. The Australian will be confident after shocking the boxing world with his stunning unanimous defeat of Matias — once considered the most avoided man in the 140-pound division — in his own backyard.

Kambosos’ father and manager Jim confirmed Ferocious is moving up in weight but described a touted bout with Paro as a “marketing campaign”.

Di Carlo says Paro fears nobody at super lightweight and believes he would have little trouble disposing of Kambosos.

“Liam is too scary for them all. He took out the boogeyman (Matias),” Di Carlo said.

“Liam has more in him, he will only get better.

“He can’t wait to get back in the ring and defend his world title.

“I’ve always said he and Jai Opetaia are the two best fighters we have technically.

“Tim Tszyu is a wonderful fighter but I believe Liam is technically better than him.

“I think Liam can definitely beat George.

“Kambosos would be coming up in weight and Liam would be too big, too smart and too sharp.

“That’s taking nothing away from George. Very few Aussies can say they did what George has done, but I believe in my fighter and it would be a relatively easy fight for Paro to win in his division.”

Originally published as Liam Paro kicks off talks for an Aussie super fight with George Kambosos as he prepares to launch his world-title defence