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Modern champion Liam Paro was ‘terrified’ his career was over

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Liam Paro has opened up about a “terrifying” period in his life that left him fearing for his career.

In June, the 28-year-old Australian pulled off what will surely go down as one of the surprises of 2024 when he traveled to Puerto Rico as the clear underdog to dethrone IBF junior welterweight world champion Subriel Matias.

His first world title fight came a year after he was supposed to fight his first in Modern Orleans against then WBC champion Regis Prograis, a chance that was ultimately ruined by an Achilles injury so severe that at his lowest point Paro believed he had perhaps had his last fight and began looking for work in a Queensland mine.

Compounding his disappointment, he not only watched Prograis struggle that night, but Danielito Zorrilla – his successor as challenger – struggled just to survive. Prograis struggled again when he fought and lost to Devin Haney in December 2023, while Paro, who impressed by stopping Montana Love on that night’s undercard in San Francisco, could once again only watch and wonder what if.

“It’s crazy,” Paro told BoxingScene. “A year ago – about – I got injured. There was a lot of uncertainty and it was quite a murky period in my career. It was two injuries back to back. You’re never prepared for that. Until you’re taken away – from something you have no control over – it was scary.

“But it just shows – over time, after a year, I’m a world champion. It’s crazy. It’s unsettling, but I think it just makes for better chapters in the book. When it’s all said and done, it just shows that it’s not all that elementary – we’re going to go through tough times and it’s a matter of how you deal with it. It lit a fire in my belly again – taking a break from what I love. I think in a way it was just the world preparing me for this. I really saw how much I loved this.

“I asked my mates in north Queensland about mining and stuff like that. It was the uncertainty that scared me the most. It’s always there in the back of your mind, but when it’s there it’s scary. You’re in a murky place and you’re not ready for it to end like this. I had so much more to do and the title was on the line. It was a lot of emotions and I was lucky my family – my loved ones – were there.

“The main sponsor – I told him I was looking at mines and he said, ‘No way,’ so he helped me. Everything I needed to get through those moments. All I can say is it was murky. Really murky.

“I’m a very positive person, but I got to the point where – it’s just real. It feels so real, and you’re just trying to take it all in. I kept going back to the uncertainty, which was scary. You just had no idea how it was going to happen. As for the Achilles tendon, it was a minor tear – I was lucky enough not to have to have surgery. If I had to have surgery, it would have been two years before I could walk again. The Achilles is not a minor injury, so it was scary. I’ll admit it – it was scary.”

It would not be an exaggeration to say that not only Paro’s career but his life has been transformed. His promoter, Eddie Hearn of Matchroom, spoke on Thursday of his desire to stage his first title defence in his hometown of Brisbane or Sydney in November – potentially against the winner of Jack Catterall-Prograis on August 24.

“It was tough,” Paro continued of his presence on the Prograis-Haney undercard. “It was tough to swallow. It was so close — my dream was right there. It was signed; it was sealed. I was preparing for it, and it was just taken away.

“It was crazy. It still blows my mind now – now I’m in the driver’s seat, just a year later. That’s what people don’t see about boxing. That’s how ruthless it is. We put our bodies through their paces for the entertainment of the fans. That’s what they don’t see – that kind of stuff. The injuries and what goes on behind the scenes. But it was crazy. It still blows my mind. It’s just crazy how it all happens. In just a year, the whole world has changed.”

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Boxing

The fight between Alexis Rocha and Raul Curiel will take place on December 14 at the Toyota Arena

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Rocha vs Curiel

In a clash of forces between two world title contenders, NABO welterweight titleholder Alexis “Lex” Rocha (25-2-0, 16 KO) will put his skills to the test against undefeated knockout and NABF welterweight titleholder Raul “El Cugar “. Curiel (15-0, 13 KO).

The 10-round main event will take place on Saturday, December 14, live from the Toyota Arena in Ontario, California, and will be broadcast worldwide on DAZN.

“‘The best versus the best’ is Golden Boy’s mantra and that’s what fans will see as Rocha and Curiel take on everything that’s on the table,” said President and CEO Oscar De La Hoya. “Rocha is a veteran whose goal is to win the world title, Curiel is an undefeated blue-chip prospect with huge potential. It’s really a 50/50 fight and I’m looking forward to it.”

Tickets for the Rocha vs. match Curiel will go on sale on Friday, October 11 at 10 a.m. PT and will be priced at $100, $75, $50 and $25, excluding applicable service fees. A confined number of Golden Boy VIP Experience tickets will also be available, including exclusive merchandise and fight night upgrades. Standard and VIP tickets are available at Ticketmaster.com, Toyota-arena.com, Goldenboy.com or at the Toyota Arena box office from Monday to Friday from 12:00 to 16:00

“I’ve seen Raul Curiel all these years and he never once mentioned my name,” Alexis Rocha said. “After my last defeat, he suddenly became interested in fighting me. If he thinks I’ve lost a step or somehow had an simple fight, he’s in for a rude awakening. I can’t wait to make a statement and show the world what I’m capable of.”

Santa Ana, California Rep. Alexis “Lex” Rocha comes from a struggling family. The younger brother of Ronny Rios, he was the youngest fighter to win a gold medal at the Junior Olympics at the age of 14 in 2012 and caught the attention of the boxing world by becoming a six-time national champion during his amateur career. Rocha signed with Golden Boy in January 2016 and made his professional debut in March 2016, defeating Jordan Rosario at the Belasco Theater in Los Angeles. Since then, he has amassed an enviable record of powerful knockouts over top contenders and plans to return to world title contention, with his last fight being a victory over undefeated Santiago Dominguez on July 19 last year.

“The fans can expect a war,” said Raul Curiel. “I’m going to prepare well to put on a great show. This will be the most essential fight of my career so far. I know Alexis is a great fighter, a good opponent and will also show up prepared. My focus is on Alexis and if I can beat him, I know it will give me a chance to fight for the world championship.

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George Kambosos moves up to 140, adds Eddie Hearn to team

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George Kambosos beats Teofimo

Former unified lightweight champion George Kambosos approached promoter Eddie Hearn asking for more massive fights.

Kambosos has signed a co-promotional deal with Eddie Hearn, under which the Greek-Australian slugger will continue his association with DiBella Entertainment Inc. and his own company, Ferocious Promotions.

The 21-3 star will move up to the super lightweight division of Matchroom Boxing’s lively division. He aims to become a two-weight world champion in early 2025, and as part of the deal, a title fight is promised as long as he continues to win.

Since his stunning victory over Teofimo Lopez, Kambosos has never shied away from competing against the best. Those three losses on his resume came to Devin Haney [twice] and Vasily Lomachenko, all at home and all for world titles.

The 31-year-old is now set to face compatriot Liam Paro after defending his IBF title against Richardson Hitchins in December in Puerto Rico.

“I am thrilled to be working with Matchroom Boxing. I am excited to have signed a three-way promotional cooperation agreement with my long-time promoter DiBella Entertainment Inc. and Ferocious Promotions,” Kambosos said.

“I made great success and history when I moved up the Matchroom shows by winning my UK elimination fight against Lee Selby. The most noteworthy and unforgettable is my victory against Teofimo at Madison Square Garden in Up-to-date York to become the 135-pound world champion.

“I am officially announcing that I will be moving up to 140 pounds and signing with Matchroom will ensure my continued success and the legacy I want to leave in the sport of boxing.”

Hearn, who adds an experienced campaigner to his stable, added: “I am delighted to welcome George to the team. George’s victory over Teofimo tore up the script and showed that George was the man for the massive time. He has proven to be a huge attraction in Australia and one of the real driving forces behind the rapid growth of boxing Down Under.

“The 140-pound division is full of massive names and massive potential fights. Adding George to the mix only elevates the level, and a possible fight with Liam Paro is a truly appetizing prospect. If Liam manages to win in a great fight against Richardson on December 7th [the fight could be on].

Lou DiBella, who has worked with Kambosos for years, said: “I’m glad I was able to make a deal with my antique buddy Eddie to work with George Kambosos Jr. and Ferocious Promotions.

“Throughout his career, George has been a fighter who has never shied away from a challenge, and now he wants to test himself against top junior welterweights.

Matchroom works with top 140-pounders, including George’s compatriot Liam Paro, and, like DiBella Entertainment, is heavily invested in Australia.

“It’s a natural partnership,” added the Up-to-date Yorker.

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Boxing

Mike Tyson had absolutely no chance of knocking out Jake Paul

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Mike Tyson comeback black

One of the hottest topics surrounding Mike Tyson’s return at the age of 58 was the possibility of the boxing legend scoring a knockout of Jake Paul.

WBN has weighed in on this topic several times, questioning the validity of five-second training clips that revealed nothing about Tyson’s abilities at this overdue age. One of the most intriguing observations during the preparations was the opinion of UFC commentator Daniel Cormier.

Speaking on his show “Funky and the Champ,” Cormier reflected on Tyson’s social media videos and offered an informed opinion on the meaning of the clips.

“I understand that [he is in amazing shape at 58]and I understand what he is saying [he feels as though he can compete]– Cormier said. “And I agree that when he hits the pads with Rafael Cordeiro, it looks like there’s still something left in him.

“But then I watch Jake Paul fight Mike Perry. I saw Jake Paul get overwhelmed to the point where he started to feel uncomfortable. It looked like Mike Perry had a chance. But Jake has a reserve tank he can go to and benefit from because he’s 28 years ancient. Then he comes back and finally finishes Mike Perry.

“At the beginning of the fight, Mike Perry gets beaten up and dropped. He looks trained and unmatched. This worries me because what if it looks like a 58-year-old man fighting a 28-year-old man while Mike can’t employ the backup tank to stay and compete with this newborn kid? I think it’s a failure for Jake Paul because if you beat Mike Tyson, everyone will love him.

He added: “What if Mike knocks him out? It’s over. Everything is ready. This would be the backfire of all time. If he gets knocked out, nothing like that has ever happened in the history of the sport.”

Unfortunately for Tyson, this revenge backfired spectacularly, as the former heavyweight champion’s return was the only event that bombed. Tyson had nothing left twenty years after he had nothing left in his tank and no desire to box in his mind.

Paul parlayed this into a money-making scheme that would forever be a success for him and his company, but would be poorly received by the die-hard boxing fraternity.

Cormier’s words resonate, especially after what happened in the ring when Mike Tyson struggled to shift into first gear, warning former fighters thinking about returning after 50.

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