Boxing 2022: Liam Paro takes just 149 seconds to stop Brock Jarvis
World-title contender Liam Paro hasn’t wasted time declaring himself as Australia’s No. 1 boxer after a stunning take-down of boom protege Brock Jarvis.
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Classy Queenslander Liam Paro is within striking distance of a maiden world-title shot after producing a stunning first-round knockout of rising star Brock Jarvis in Brisbane on Saturday night.
In one of the finest performances of his career, Paro made a savage statement, needing just 149 seconds to stop the Jeff Fenech-trained Jarvis with a lethal left hook that shook Suncorp Piazza.
Entering the fight, the young guns of Australian boxing were unbeaten in a combined 42 professional bouts and Fenech warned Paro to brace for an assault from the muscular Jarvis, who was stepping up two weight divisions.
But it was Paro (23-0, 14KO) who delivered the knockout blow, the Mackay mauler dominating the opening minutes of the first round before landing a brutal left hook which sent Jarvis (20-1, 18KO) crashing to the canvas.
The Sydneysider desperately tried to get up but he was never going to recover from a precise punch that confirmed Paro as a legitimate world-title contender in the super lightweight class.
Ranked No. 2 with the WBO, Paro is behind No. 1 Teofimo Lopez, the man who lost to George Kambosos, and the pair could fight for a world-title if current champion Josh Taylor moves up a division as anticipated.
The 26-year-old Paro declared himself Australia’s No. 1 boxer — better than Tim Tszyu and Kambosos — after ruthlessly disposing of Jarvis, who suffered his first career loss.
“I always said I was the best fighter in the country and if that’s not a statement, I don’t know what you guys want,” he said.
“I hope Brock is OK, you don’t want to see fighters go down like that.
“I’m pumped, we put in a hard, long camp and I’ve said for a while this is my time and I’m ready to make a statement in the 140 division.
“There was a lot riding on this fight. I have shut a few mouths. People who said Brock would win, educate yourselves about boxing.
“I am levels above the domestic scene and hopefully I can fight a big name.”
Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn said there is every chance Paro’s next fight could be his world-title debut, possibly against Lopez, who moved up to 140 after his loss to Kambosos at lightweight last year.
“That’s how you make a statement to the world,” Hearn said.
“That was a stunning knockout that will be played around the world for days and days.
“That was an elite performance from an elite fighter.
“That was one of the knockouts of the year and shows what a world-class fighter Liam is.
“That was a world-class statement and guys like Teofimo Lopez and Josh Taylor, let’s get them to Australia and have a championship fight.
“Liam could fight Teofimo Lopez for a world title and I will do everything to make that happen.”
Paro looked confident from the opening seconds and former world champion Jeff Horn believes his fellow Queenslander can go all the way.
“I can’t believe he has done it in the first round, that was an amazing shot,” Horn said.
“Paro showed why he is right there for a world-title shot, he proved tonight he is in contention.”
Fenech protege primed to shock in State of Origin showdown
Jeff Fenech says his boom protege Brock Jarvis is ready to shock Australian boxing by pulverising world-title contender Liam Paro in a cracking domestic showdown in Brisbane on Saturday night.
Two of Australia’s rising stars, Jarvis (20-0, 18KO) and Paro (22-0, 13KO) are unbeaten in 42 professional fights collectively and suddenly their world-title dreams will collide at the Suncorp Piazza at Southbank.
The duo will headline a card put together by one of world boxing’s most powerful promoters Eddie Hearn, whose Matchroom empire is hosting its debut show on Australian soil.
And Hearn will unleash two of Australia’s hottest prospects in what shapes as a domestic blockbuster, with classy Queenslander Paro ranked No. 2 by the WBO and within striking distance of a maiden world-title shot.
But Hall of Fame legend Fenech believes Jarvis, 24, has the tools to go all the way and the New South Welshman can steal Paro’s ranking with victory in his professional debut at super lightweight.
Starting at super flyweight, Jarvis has fought across seven divisions in his career and Fenech has been stunned by the physical growth that has underpinned his charge‘s 90 per cent knockout record.
Now the cocky Paro, 26, is on Jarvis’ hit list — and Fenech believes a boilover is brewing.
“Timing is important and this is his time,” Fenech said of Jarvis.
“He has gone up two weight divisions for this fight but you will see one of the best fighters in the world on Saturday night.
“Everyone has some question marks, but if Brock gets through the first few rounds and those early nerves, he will beat Liam.
“Like State of Origin, this fight will be state versus state, mate versus mate.
“Liam is very skilful, but he has never fought anyone of Brock’s quality.
“When Brock puts the pressure on, he doesn’t stop and he hits hard, every punch he throws he does it with bad intentions.”
Jarvis, who has a physique cut from granite, has been sparring Paul Fleming and Darragh Foley and Fenech walked away convinced his fighter is the real deal.
“I have no doubt Brock can win a world title. He has amazing skill and fitness,” Fenech said.
“Paul Fleming is the best southpaw in Australia. He said to me, ‘Jeff, I have had 150 amateur fights, 30 pro fights, I have never been hurt as many times in my whole career as I was in one sparring session with Brock’.
“That‘s a massive compliment. Brock is getting bigger and stronger.
“Liam is a quality young fighter, but I would not put Brock into a fight if I didn’t think he could win. I am never overconfident in the fight game, but Brock has been sparring the best blokes in training and he has had no problems.”
Paro, however, is a world-class pugilist.
In his most recent fight in December, the Mackay mauler showed great composure to overcome a first-round knockdown and hand Puerto Rico‘s Yomar Alamo his first loss, clinching a split-decision victory on American soil.
Paro says Jarvis is in for a rude shock at 140 pounds as he closes in on a maiden world-title shot.
“I’d love to see him box, I’d love to take him to school and give him a real lesson if he’s going to try and box,“ he said.
“He’s only fought little guys. I encourage him to walk onto these shots once I start hitting him, I just don’t see it happening.
“He’s tailor made for me — I love guys that walk forward.
“He’s going to see how good his chin really is.”
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