Liam Paro and David Papot went nose-to-nose today in Brisbane ahead of their IBF welterweight eliminator, set for Thursday, September 18 (USA 6:00 AM ET | UK 11:00 AM).
The staredown happened beneath the Wally Lewis statue at Suncorp Stadium — the same ground where Jeff Horn stunned Manny Pacquiao. For Paro, it was more than a backdrop; it was a reminder of Aussie boxing history. Now, he wants to carve his own chapter when he meets the undefeated Frenchman at Pat Rafter Arena.
The venue, better known for tennis, will host boxing for the first time. With a world title shot on the line, the fight is impossible to ignore. Papot, unbeaten after 31 fights, flew in unfazed and made his stance clear: Paro doesn’t intimidate him.
Papot’s Warning: “When the Bell Rings, It’s Just Me and Him”
“I’ve seen a bit of Liam on social media, but he’s nothing special for me,” Papot told reporters. “I don’t know a lot about him other than he’s a southpaw, quick hands, former champ. I’ve been fighting since I was five years old, traveled everywhere, fought in the US, fought all over. 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’ve had seven to eight thousand at my last fights. I’m used to big arenas. Once the fight starts, it’s just me and Liam. Nobody in that arena can help him.”
Paro Carries the Pressure of Home
Paro, coming off a knockout win over Jonathan Navarro in Cairns, knows Papot hasn’t traveled for a payday. This eliminator is about stepping into world title contention, and with home fans watching, the pressure is his to handle.
Insiders say Paro’s camp has focused on keeping him sharp and level, steering clear of the emotional weight that can come with fighting in front of your own. Papot has kept cool, framing it simply: “Liam’s in his hometown, he wants to shine, it’s normal.”
Fight Details
- Date: Thursday, September 18, 2025
- Start Time: 8 pm AEST / 6 am ET / 11 am UK
- Streaming on: DAZN
- Venue: Pat Rafter Arena, Brisbane
Main Card
- Liam Paro vs. David Papot — 12 rounds, IBF welterweight eliminator
- Liam Wilson vs. Jorge Santana — 10 rounds, WBO International super featherweight title
- Brock Jarvis vs. Ken Aitken — 8 rounds, super welterweights
- Paulo Aokuso vs. Shukhrat Abdullaev — 8 rounds, light heavyweights
- Jacob Ng vs. Rikki Naito — 6 rounds, super welterweights
Prelims
- Dharringarra Trewhella vs. Lachlan O’Shea — 6 rounds, super welterweights
- Floyd Masson vs. Dharmender Grewal — 6 rounds, heavyweights
- Danny Keating vs. Sachin Nautiyal — 5 rounds, welterweights
- Matthew Hosking vs. Lance McDonald — 4 rounds, welterweights
