Liam Paro and David Papot went nose in Brisbane today before their IBF Welterweight Eliminator, who was on Thursday, September 18 (US 6:00 am et al 11:00 am).
The Staredown happened under the Wally Lewis statue in Suncorp Stadium – the same land where Jeff Horn Manny Pacquiao anesthetized. For Paro it was more than a background; It was a reminder of the history of Aussie box. Now he wants to carve his own chapter when he meets the unbeaten Frenchman in Pat Rafter Arena.
The venue, better known for tennis, will offer box for the first time. With a world title shot on the line, the fight is impossible to ignore. Papot, unbeaten after 31 battles, flown unchallenged and made his position clear: Paro does not intimidate him.
Papot’s warning: “If the bell rings, it’s just me and him”
“I saw a little Liam on social media, but he’s nothing special to me,” Papot told reporters. “I don’t know much about him, except that he is a Southpaw, Quick Hands, former champion. I have been fighting since I was five years old, traveling everywhere, fighting in the US, fighting everywhere. I can fight tactical, or I can go to war. I’m ready for everything. ‘
On the pressure of the crowd, Papot added: “In France I had seven to eight thousand at my last fighting. I’m used to big arenas. Once the fight starts, it’s just me and Liam. No one in the arena can help him.”
Paro carries the pressure of the house
Paro, who came with a knockout victory over Jonathan Navarro in Cairns, knows that Papot has not traveled for a payday. This eliminator is about the argument of the world title, and with the fans of the house watching is the pressure to deal with.
Insiders say the camp of Paro focused on keeping him sharp and equal, and he’s away from the emotional weight that can fight before your own. Papot kept cool and simply set it up: “Liam is in his hometown, he wants to shine, it’s normal.”
Fighting details
- Date: Thursday 18 September 2025
- Start time: 20:00 AEST / 6 AM ET / 11 AM UK
- Streaming on: Dazn
- Place: Pat Rafter Arena, Brisbane
Main card
- Liam Paro vs. David Papot – 12 Rounds, IBF Welterweight Eliminator
- Liam Wilson against Jorge Santana – 10 Rounds, WBO International Super Featherweight Title
- Brock Jarvis vs. Ken Aitken – 8 Rounds, Super Welterweights
- Paulo auko against Shukhrat Abdullaev – 8 rounds, light heavyweights
- Jacob NG against Rikki Nitto – 6 Rounds, Super Welterweights
Prelims
- The lies are Trewhella vs. Lachlan O’Sea – 6 rounds, super welter weights
- Floyd Masson vs. Dharmender Grewal – 6 rounds, heavyweights
- Danny Keating against Sachin Nautiyal – 5 Rounds, Welterweights
- Matthew Hosking vs. Lance McDonald – 4 Rounds, Welterweights
Last updated on 09/15/2025
