Aussie Liam Paro confident of ‘almost impossible’ upset against against IBF junior-welterweight champion Subriel Matias
- Fighting the ‘beast’ in Puerto Rico on Sunday
- Enters the fight as an underdog despite an undefeated record
- Believes he has a plan to cause the unrest
Unsung Australian Liam Paro is confident he can shock the world and tame one of boxing’s greatest beasts, Subriel Matias, in his home lair.
Queenslander Paro (24-0, 15KOs) will start as an underdog against IBF junior welterweight champion Matias (20-1, 20KOs) on Sunday in Manati, Puerto Rico.
Paro is ranked No. 5 by the IBF and has the skills and boxing ability to pull off a major upset. He underlined his quality with stunning victories in his last two fights.
The slick 28-year-old southpaw knocked out highly touted Sydneysider Brock Jarvis in one round in October 2022 and then stopped well-regarded American Montana Love in the sixth in San Francisco in December.
A ferocious pressure fighter, the 32-year-old Matias has shown the ability to survive early attacks from opponents before using his physicality and strong punches to break them down.
Undefeated Queenslander Liam Paro faces the toughest assignment of his career to date
The Australian will face Subriel Matias in his home country of Puerto Rico on Sunday
While Paro is yet to taste defeat, a win over Matias would be considered a major setback
The Puerto Rican was described by promoter Eddie Hearn as the division’s ‘boogeyman’, but Paro said he was ‘a million percent’ confident he had the game plan and resources to dethrone the champion.
‘I’m feeling good. This is it, this is what dreams are made of… I’m ready for it,” Paro told broadcaster DAZN after the weigh-in.
“I’m excited to get in there and share the ring with him. He is a great champion, but I believe I have had the right preparation to shock the world.
‘We have prepared perfectly, the right sparring, and I am ready. This is my time.
‘I know what I’m getting into, I’m entering the lion’s den. All respect to him, but I know it’s going to get dirty.
“This is the biggest test, so I’m prepared for anything.”
Liam Paro celebrates winning the WBO Global Super-Lightweight Title against Brock Jarvis
Paro doesn’t listen to the claims that his latest fight is ‘mission impossible’ and is determined to take the huge scalp
Matias, who will make his second defense of the title he won in February 2023, has recorded five consecutive knockouts since his only professional defeat, which he has subsequently avenged.
He will fight in his home country for the first time since November 2019, having had his last six fights in the United States.
“It’s always great to defend your title in front of your people. They know what I am capable of,” Matias told DAZN.
“I’ve taken zeros from a lot of fighters,” he added, referring to the first professional loss he inflicted on five of his previous opponents.
Hearn praised Paro for taking the fight in the champion’s homeland, saying it was ‘almost an impossible mission’.
“(Paro) has the skills to cause (Matias) problems, he’s a crafty southpaw with good feet,” Hearn said.
‘He has a good mentality. I don’t think he will be impressed by this opportunity.’