‘Bigger than Green vs Mundine’: Liam Paro eyes George Kambosos blockbuster with world title win

With a not-so-subtle dig at Tim Tszyu, Liam Paro’s team has started planning for a fight that could be one of the biggest in Australian boxing history.

Liam Paro defends his IBF super-lightweight world title this weekend. Picture: Amanda Westcott/Matchroom

Liam Paro’s team has begun preliminary discussions with George Kambosos’ management about setting up a domestic blockbuster between the pair in a bout touted as potentially “bigger than Green vs Mundine.”

First though, Queensland’s Paro must successfully defend his IBF super-lightweight title against slick New Yorker Richardson Hitchens in Puerto Rico this weekend.

If successful against Hitchens, Paro hopes to square off against former unified lightweight world champion Kambosos in mid-2025.

“There’s not been a bigger fight since the Green-Mundine rivalry, so it’s a no-brainer,” Paro told this masthead from his training camp in Florida.

“It’s respectful, and we’ve always supported each other through our careers. We’ve both done it the hard way, the proper way.

“We’ve earned our stripes, so it’s just going to line up for a blockbuster and the Aussie fans are gonna win, that’s for sure.”

Paro shocked the world by beating Subriel Matias in his own backyard in June. Picture: Amanda Westcott/Matchroom

Paro’s boilover world title win against Subriel Matias in June ranks alongside Kambosos’ upset victory over Teofimo Lopez in 2021 as one of the greatest moments in Australian boxing.

“We’re not blessed with the famous last names, and we’ve made our own way and our own mark on the sport, which I believe will make it even better when it’s all done,” Paro said.

“We’re lucky to have fought all over the world, so to square off in Australia is going to be unbelievable.

“It’s going to happen in the near future for sure.”

Kambosos (L) was stopped by Vasiliy Lomachenko (R) in his last fight. Picture: Hector De La Cruz

Kambosos has signalled a move up to the 140-pound super-lightweight division, having most recently fought Vasiliy Lomachenko at a sold out RAC Arena in Perth in May.

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 decades, slated for May or June next year.

“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.

“It would be the biggest Australian fight since Mundine-Green. There would be nothing close to it.

“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.”

Richardson Hitchens (L) is undefeated in 18 fights and is the mandatory challenger to Paro’s title. Picture: Al Bello/Getty Images

All that planning will be for nothing though if Paro can’t account for the 18-0 Hitchens in San Juan this weekend.

Hitchens is a classic American boxer who moves well, jabs precisely and won’t take too many risks.

He’s also a bit of a loudmouth, and Paro is relishing the thought of dragging him into deep water after Hitchens was awarded a controversial decision in his last fight against Gustavo Lemos in April.

“You can hear him before you see him,” the Aussie said.

“I respect him as a boxer, but quite frankly he got his ass handed to him by a five foot lightweight in his last fight.

“Me and 95 per cent of the world agree on that.

“He’ll box, slow the pace and he has a good jab, but I’m going to show him that at the end of the day, it’s a fight.

“He’s gonna want to sit there, look pretty and have a low punch output, but when you’re in the ring with Liam Paro, you’re in a dogfight, and it’s gonna be a long night in the office for him.”

Originally published as ‘Bigger than Green vs Mundine’: Liam Paro eyes George Kambosos blockbuster with world title win