Liam Paro dethroned in world title boilover as all-Aussie blockbuster plans go up in smoke

Queenslander Liam Paro has promised to rebuild after suffering the first loss of his professional career, falling to Richardson Hitchens in Puerto Rico.

Liam Paro congratulates Richardson Hitchens after their super-lightweight world title fight in Puerto Rico. Picture: Melina Pizano/Matchroom

Queensland boxer Liam Paro has been sensationally dethroned as IBF super-lightweight world champion, dropping a hard-fought split-decision to slick American Richardson Hitchens in Puerto Rico.

Paro started his first title defence well, but was hunted down over the second half of the fight by the sharpshooting Hitchens, who claimed the win with scores of 111-117, 116-112 and 116-112.

The result – Paro’s first loss of his professional career – puts a big-money, all-Aussie blockbuster between Paro and George Kambosos next year in serious jeopardy.

“I’m humble in victory and humble in defeat, congratulations to Richardson Hitchens, he’s a hell of a fighter,” Paro said after the fight.

“It’s his moment, kudos to him.

Richardson Hitchens (R) celebrates his win over Liam Paro (L). Picture: Melina Pizano/Matchroom

“He’s a hell of a boxer. He stuck to the game plan, no excuses, he was the better man.

“He’s strong, he’s good. We feel we closed it down in the last two rounds, we let him get his way.

“No excuses. It’s his night tonight, we’ll let him enjoy it.

“I’ll be back. It’s not a loss, it’s a lesson. I’ll be back.”

Paro’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, said Hitchens was the deserved winner, and revealed the Aussie could have taken a different fight.

“I thought Liam started well. It was a close fight,” Hearn said. “I felt Richardson was a deserved winner.

“Big respect to Liam Paro for taking the mandatory when he could have taken another fight.”

Paro started well, but Hitchens fought back well. Picture: Melina Pizano/Matchroom

Paro was the aggressor early, hunting down the low output Hitchens from the opening bell.

Taller and longer, Hitchens found a home for his precise jab from the second round onwards, and countered beautifully as Paro looked to force the action.

Southpaw Paro attempted to nullify Hitchens’ jab in the third by luring him into punching first, before countering with straight lefts and right hooks.

Hitchens was warned for holding behind the head and leading with his elbow as Paro ended the fifth bleeding from his nose, while the American had a bloody mouth.

Hitchens has had a history of fading in the second half of big fights, but he had a solid ninth round as Paro’s corner urged him to up the output into the final three frames.

The 28-year-old from Mackay just couldn’t find the elusive Hitchens over the closing rounds though, with the Brooklynite calling for a mega-bout with Teofimo Lopez next year.

Originally published as Liam Paro dethroned in world title boilover as all-Aussie blockbuster plans go up in smoke