Liam Paro says he doesn’t fear the most feared man in boxing ahead of his world-title debut
Mackay’s Liam Paro is unbeaten in 24 bouts. Now he fights for a world title against a champion who has inflicted death in the boxing ring.
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Liam Paro says he is going into the “lion’s den” as the fearless Queenslander prepares for his moment of truth against a world-champion destroyer who has inflicted death in the boxing ring.
Paro faces the biggest test of his career when the Mackay mauler (24-0, 15KO) takes on power puncher Subriel Matias (20-1, 20KO) for the IBF super lightweight world title in Puerto Rico on Sunday (AEST).
Matias is widely regarded as the most feared man in world boxing.
It is a reputation forged by the tragedy which rocked the boxing fraternity in 2019, when Russian Maxim Dadashev tragically died after suffering a brutal 11-round beating at the heavy hands of Matias in America.
Dadashev needed help to get out of the ring and was unable to make it to his dressing room before he collapsed and vomited in the corridor.
Rushed to hospital, he was diagnosed with bleeding on the brain and placed in an induced coma in a bid to reduce swelling.
Four days later, Dadashev, a father of one son, lost his life at age 28, leaving Matias to lament a “sorrow that never leaves me” and reinforcing the unforgiving, death-or-glory fragility of the fight game.
Against this backdrop, Paro will step into the ring on Matias’ home turf in Puerto Rico in his world-title debut, wary of his rival’s power, but quietly confident of a George Kambosos-style Aussie ambush.
“That (death) is a risk we know we are taking every time we step into the ring,” ‘The Prodigy’ Paro said.
“That’s another thing with boxing, any combat sport, you have to respect anyone who jumps into the ring because you are risking your life every time you go in there.
“That (Dadashev’s passing) was the most unfortunate outcome.
“I know Matias wouldn’t have meant to do it to the bloke, but that’s the way it is in this fight game.
“The fans forget that sometimes. Our lives are on the line every time we go in the ring, but we have our game plan and I will execute it well.
“I’m going into the lion’s den, but I believe I have the tools and the artillery to get it done.
“I’m about to show the world what I already know.”
Chillingly, Matias has rediscovered his menace.
In his second fight following Dadashev’s death, Matias, clearly still shaken by the tragedy, suffered the first loss of his career.
But since that defeat, the 32-year-old has recovered to conquer the world, stopping five consecutive opponents in a four-year tear to become the most avoided fighter in the 140-pound division.
“I’m scared, but it is a fear I enjoy,” Matias told local media ahead of the Paro showdown.
“I don’t want to knock him down. I want him to suffer.
“I’m an animal going out for my prey.
“In this case, that is Liam Paro.”
Ranked No. 5 with the IBF, Paro underlined his world-class talent with a brilliant sixth-round stoppage of Montana Love in December. This is another step up. He knows few give him any chance. Matias is raging favourite to knock out a 21st victim. It’s the way Paro likes it.
“Everyone is saying I’m nuts, I’m crazy,” Paro said.
“He is the so-called boogeyman, no-one else wants to fight him.
“But I’ll fight him. At the end of the day, he is only human. He bleeds the same blood and he can hurt, too.
“I know I’m on his turf. I know how dangerous he is, but Paro performs under pressure.
“I’m ready to shock the world.”
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