What you don’t know about Mackay boxing champion Liam Paro

Mackay boxer Liam Paro is one fight away from becoming world champion but what he does in the community when nobody’s watching is just as impressive.

Liam Paro the man in the arena VS Brock Jarvis

For 26-year-old boxing star Liam Paro, life has never been easy, nor has it ever been just about him.

The former labourer from Mackay last month went from being the ‘Prodigy’ to the ‘Prophecy’, stunning the world with his 149 second performance to send opponent Brock Jarvis to the canvas and boast a 23-0 record professionally.

To the average observer, Paro was the underdog coming into his biggest fight to date, and with Jarvis being a product of Australian Legend Jeff Fenech, it was easy to cast doubt over an unknown.

This was just more fuel to a fire that's never stopped burning.

A moment of solitude before the big fight

Having put aside aspirations of rugby league glory at the age of 13, Paro knew his choice of boxing would bring with it years of hard work and heart ache, and after the tragic passing of best mate Regan Grieve at the age of 18, he was even more determined on the road to glory.

When asked about his motivations, Paro was straight to the point.

“I made a promise to him [Grieve] that I would be a world champion”,” he said

According to his partner Laura Tindale, the memory of Grieve pushes him to his best when he feels like he is at his worst.

“When he's in the trenches, that's his second gear,” Tindale said

With Paro ranked the second best in the globe, he's never been closer to turning that promise into a reality.

While he is the only one in the ring, he wouldn't be there without the love of those in the arena, particularly his partner.

“To have the support from me like we’re in this together … that’s the little things I want to be able to give back to him,” he said

Liam Paro and his partner Laura Tindale

Working tirelessly to help educate and inspire youth who may feel they are too far gone to be able to reach those dreams, Paro believes it’s of highest importance to change the narrative.

“Him, his coach and stable mates have gone to juvenile detention centres and talked to the youth about these moments don’t define your life” Tindale said

Expressing awe at the impact Paro had on youths, Tindale said one such conversation took place at the Brisbane Youth Detention Centre before his fight against Jarvis, with the young men he made a bond with feeling proud to know Paro after their meeting.

For these kids, it wasn't about Paro winning the fight, but the fact he walked the walk of setting a goal and achieving it.

His message of “you are never too far gone” came to fruition.

Liam Paro knocks out Brock Jarvis in Brisbane

Despite the beckoning bright lights Paro continues to be not only a man of his community but also a loving brother, son and partner.

“I want to make a better life for me and my loved ones for sure” he said, adding he was aware one punch in boxing could completely change his life, forcing him to stay laser focused on his dreams each time he stepped out

“This can be taken away quicker than I work for it” he said

Asked about how he managed to keep his head in the sky but his feet on the ground he said what I've achieved doesn’t make me no better than another person”.

“I love where I come from man … it made me who I am.”

Paro’s professional record speaks for itself, and his impressive ability as an athlete is matched with his selfless ability to go quietly about his work within the community along the way.

He now plays a patience game, waiting for this chance in 2023 to claim what he believes to be rightfully his and with the man who got him to where he is Angelo Dicaro of Ace Boxing working with industry legend Eddie Hearn, it could all take place is our own backyard.

Brutal 1st Round KO gets Paro close to title shot

“There’s nothing to be nervous about, I leave no stone unturned … I want to be the world champion” Paro said

He will wait for the schedule to be released before heading to Las Vegas for the chance to become the champion of the world.