Liam Paro vs Jonathan Navarro: Australian boxer fighting in honour of late best mate Regan Grieve

Most know Liam Paro as one of the golden boys of Australian boxing. But his tough exterior hides an inner pain dating back 10 years to the death of his best mate.

Former world champion Liam Paro has vowed to reign again in his return home to north Queensland, 10 years after the tragic death of the Cowboys young gun that rocked the NRL.

Paro is finally back where he belongs, with the Mackay mauler (25-1) facing American Jonathan Navarro (18-1) on Wednesday night in Cairns, his first fight in the tropics in more than six years.

Since his last fight in Mackay in 2019, Paro has become one of the golden boys of Australian boxing, shocking global fight fans with his stunning world-title upset of Subriel Matias a year ago.

And while Paro lost in his maiden world-title defence against Richardson Hitchins in December, ‘The Prodigy’ returns home to familiar terrain, driven by the pain of a tragedy he never envisaged.

Liam Paro weighs in at Cairns Esplanade.

Regan Grieve.

The 29-year-old southpaw can’t believe a decade has passed since the passing of his best mate, Cowboys under-20s player Regan Grieve, who took his life in 2015.

Grieve and Paro played junior football together in Mackay. After Grieve’s devastating passing, Paro had the words “Conquer the World” tattooed on his rib cage. He had the artwork done after carrying Grieve’s coffin at their old footy ground.

When Paro shocked super lightweight king Matias in Puerto Rico, he had the initials ‘RG’ on his title-winning trunks.

Liam Paro and Johnathan Navarro.

Now, he may have lost his world-title belt, but Paro hasn’t lost the hunger to avenge his Hitchins defeat, permanently motivated by a desire to honour the memory of a mate who dreamed of NRL stardom.

“I hope I’m making him proud,” Paro said.

“Regan’s death devastated me.

“I can’t tell you how much it hurt when I had to carry my best friend’s coffin and help bury him, especially when he was just 18 and had so much going for him.

“I hope the message on my ribs reminds people of his life and how important it was and how we all have to fight to prevent youth suicide.

“I don’t want Regan to ever be forgotten and it’s why I do what I do.

“I want to get that world-title back and become a pay-per-view star in this country.”

Regan Grieve.

Mackay rugby league star Regan Grieve, pictured at his funeral.

In March, Paro inked a deal with No Limit, joining forces with the Australian boxing promotional powerhouse that helped elevate Tim Tszyu to world-title status.

Next month, Tszyu will look to reclaim his world-title in his blockbuster rematch against Sebastian Fundora in Las Vegas.

Tszyu and Jai Opetaia, Australia’s only current male world champion, are regarded as the nation’s top fighters, but those close to Paro believe he is the best of his generation.

“Tim Tszyu is a great fighter but I’ve always believed Liam Paro is technically our best,” said his long-time manager Angelo di Carlo.

“He is remarkably gifted and he will take fights against anyone.

“He fears no-one.

“Liam’s win over Matias was one of the greatest upsets in Australian boxing history and it’s great to see him back home ready to rise again.”

If Paro disposes of Navarro, No Limit boss Matt Rose has plans to bring a world-title fight to Townsville’s Queensland Country Bank Stadium, the home of the Cowboys.

That would be Paro’s ultimate fairytale gift for Grieve.

“Liam is going to be a superstar in this country,” Rose said.

“Liam is up there with the best boxing talents in the world.

“We did the Tim Tszyu-Jeff Horn fight in Townsville in 2020, which was a massive domestic event, and it’s our plan for Liam Paro to be fighting for world titles right here in his own backyard.”

Originally published as Liam Paro vs Jonathan Navarro: Australian boxer fighting in honour of late best mate Regan Grieve