Liam Paro wins IBF super lightweight title in Puerto Rico

At 13 Liam Paro parked his “bottom up on the kitchen bench” and told his mum he would one day be a world champion, see how friends, family reflect on the cheeky, good-natured boy who became a winner.

Boxer Liam Paro aged 15 was a Silver medallist at the Australian Golden Gloves.

At 13 Liam Paro parked his “bottom up on the kitchen bench” and told his mum he would one day be a world champion.

That dream was realised on Sunday as the now 28 year old produced the performance of a lifetime to dethrone Subriel Matias to claim the IBF super lightweight title in front of a raucous crowd in Puerto Rico.

Back in the southpaw’s home town of Mackay, Paro’s mates are celebrating his success.

Christine and Chris Kelly often cared for Paro growing up, with Liam becoming more like a sibling to their children Tarnah, Jayme and Michael.

Chris said Paro was a “cheeky little fella” as a boy but had remained good-natured and “very humbled”, while Christine said Liam was the most focused and dedicated person she had ever known.

June 15, 2024; Manati, Puerto Rico, USA; Subriel Matias and Liam Paro during their fight at Coliseo Juan Aubn Cruz Abreu in Manati, Puerto Rico. Picture: Amanda Westcott/Matchroom.

Jayme, who admitted to having yelled at the television while watching his friend fight half a world away in the Caribbean, said he remembered Paro as a “super energetic” kid.

“The only thing that used to wear him out when he was younger was his dirt bike,” Jayme told the Daily Mercury.

A fan who witnessed Paro’s sporting ability from a young age was former Magpies soccer coach Chris Bonanno, whose son Joseph is close mates with Liam and was in South America alongside Paro’s dad to witness the history-defining moment.

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

Mr Bonanno, who watched the match from the Langford’s Hotel in Mackay alongside Paro’s mum Sharon Cortez, said Joey and Paro were currently in Miami enjoying some much deserved rest and relaxation time.

“ (Paro) was definitely a good sportsman,” Mr Bonanno said.

“He was a great little tenacious runner, goal kicker, and his boxing ability when I saw him later on when I was tied up in the Pioneer Valley Boxing Club ... he went through the ranks there.”

Mr Bonanno said while Mackay had produced several high-pedigree boxers, reaching the status of world title holder was unheard of.

“Mackay can hang its hat on that one and say, ‘Look we produced some really good quality sportspeople here, Liam being really one of them.’”

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

Ms Cortez said she remembered Liam at 13 in their old Farleigh cottage telling her he would be world champion one day “as if it were only yesterday”.

“It was a day I’ll never forget,” she posted to Facebook.

“There were so many that cast doubt, so many obstacles placed in your path, friends, family, choices.

Right: Boxer Liam Paro -15 training with his coach Maydad Ronen in Bondi.

“But your grit, strength, determination and BELIEF in yourself and your dream has seen you rise to this amazing day.”

Ms Cortez said she experienced goosebumps, shivers and nerves witnessing her son “rise to a level that not many accomplish in their entire lifetime” and he would always be her champion.

“I am the proudest mother in the world today, everyday and FOREVER,” she wrote.

Paro made his boxing debut in 2016 and has won all 25 fights.

Boxer Liam Paro, aged 15, was a Silver medallist at the Australian Golden Gloves.