Liam Paro vs Lindolfo Delgado: Aussie boxing star has Richardson Hitchens in sights

Liam Paro’s “resurrection” — with a goal to become a two-time world champion — has taken another huge step forward. Brendan Bradford has details.

Liam Paro enjoyed a dominant fifth round stoppage win over Jonathan Navarro last week. Picture: Emily Barker/Getty Images for No Limit Boxing

Liam Paro has taken another huge step towards becoming a two-time world champion after the IBF ordered a world title eliminator between the Queensland knockout artist and Mexico’s Lindolfo Delgado.

The news comes less than a week after Paro’s triumphant homecoming, when the 29-year-old annihilated Jonathan Navarro in five rounds in Cairns.

It also puts him on a collision course with the man who beat him for the 140-pound IBF title last year, Richardson Hitchens.

If he beats the dangerous 23-0 Lindolfo, who has 16 knockouts on his record, Paro will become the mandatory challenger to Hitchens’ IBF championship.

Paro is one win away from fighting for a world title again. Picture: Emily Barker/Getty Images

After dropping a heart-breaking split decision to Hitchens away from home in Puerto Rico – despite being the reigning world champion at the time – Paro is hell-bent on revenge.

“I’ve always said I want to avenge that loss,” Paro told Code Sports. “And Hitchens, he says he sees me back as champion.

“So there’s mutual respect there.

“But I want to right that wrong. I want to better myself, and that’s my only little blemish.

“It was a very close fight. I’m working my way back up and earning my stripes again.”

Paro called his fight with Navarro his boxing “resurrection,” and he’ll take the next steps on that journey with No Limit after extending the one-fight deal with the promoter to a multi-year deal.

Navarro suffered some gruesome injuries. Picture: Emily Barker/Getty Images for No Limit Boxing

After his first fight in far North Queensland in more than a decade, the Mackay fighter will now set his sights on joining the likes of Tim and Nikita Tszyu as a domestic pay per view star.

“I’ve fought all over the world, but nothing compares to walking out in front of a packed Aussie crowd,” Paro said. “That’s what I’ve always wanted – to come back, be a headline act in my own country, and fight for world titles right here at home.

“I’ve proven this is my division, and I want to be world champion again – that’s the goal. I believe I’m at the top level, and I want to keep proving myself back there.

“The bigger the names, the better. Whatever’s going to elevate my career, that’s what I’m here for.

Liam Wilson is also in an IBF eliminator. Picture: Emily Barker/Getty Images for No Limit Boxing

“I’ve got the best team in the world, and I’ll keep fighting whoever they put in front of me.”

Meanwhile, fellow Queenslander Liam Wilson has landed an IBF super-featherweight world title eliminator.

Coming off a frustrating 10-round decision win over crafty Argentine Ayrton Gimenez, Wilson has now been ordered to fight Kazakhstan’s Sultan Zaurbek (20-0).

The winner of that bout will be mandatory to champion Eduardo Nuñez.

Negotiations are underway for both IBF title eliminators. Venues and dates are yet to be decided, but both bouts are expected to take place later this year.

Originally published as Liam Paro vs Lindolfo Delgado: Aussie boxing star has Richardson Hitchens in sights