Aussie world title contender Liam Paro reveals how a promise to his dead mate drives him in the ring – and the moment that saved him from having to throw in the towel and work as a miner

Undefeated Australian super lightweight Liam Paro recently stormed into world title contention by recording the biggest win of his career – but just five months ago he thought his boxing career might be over.

Paro, 27, dropped outspoken rival Montana Love twice en route to a stunning sixth-round stoppage in San Francisco earlier this month to put further pressure on his world boxing title.

The Queensland southpaw improved his professional record to 24-0 and is now eyeing a showdown with Ryan Garcia or Devin Haney.

However, when ‘The Prodigy’ was sidelined for 14 months due to shocking injuries, he thought his boxing dream was over and he might have to get a job in the mines to pay the bills.

“The win meant the world to me after the year I’ve had,” Paro told Ny Breaking Australia.

Paro thought his boxing career might be over after being sidelined by injuries, but a certain sponsor stuck with the Queenslander

“A lot of people I thought were with me have let me down this year. I stayed behind. There was one major sponsor, Greg Taylor from Step One, who continued to support me. Without him I don’t know what would have happened.’

“When I got injured it felt like everything was taken from me, so I had thought about getting a job in mining here in Mackay.

‘I can’t thank Greg enough for his help. I was very lucky to have him.”

The Australian outsider’s victory over Love cemented his claim for a title shot and fulfilled a promise made to a childhood friend who tragically passed away.

Paro says he’s ready to take on the best in the world – and has the words ‘Conquer the World’ tattooed on his body to remind him of his mission.

It was a mantra he shared with his boyhood mate Regan Grieve, an outstanding rugby league player who captained the Queensland under-18 team and was signed by the North Queensland Cowboys.

Grieve took his own life in 2015 at the age of 18, leaving Paro completely devastated.

“I think about him every day,” Paro admitted.

The left-hander from Queensland is motivated to succeed by a close friend who passed away at the age of 18

Paro wears the initials ‘RG’ on his trunks in memory of Regan Grieve

Paro’s childhood friend Regan Grieve – who was an excellent rugby league player – took his own life in 2015. His death left Paro devastated – and the boxer says he now fights to ‘conquer the world’ in memory of his partner.

‘That’s my motivation. If you saw the pictures of my suitcases, I had his initials ‘RG’ there. I’ll wear that on my swim trunks until the day I retire.

“It’s one step closer to a promise I made to him, because I’m a man of my word, and at the end of the day that’s all we have: our word.

‘And we are still on our way to conquer the world and become world champions.’

Paro’s big win has certainly put him in the mix for the biggest fights in his weight class, and such a big fight would come via American star Ryan Garcia, the No. 4 lightweight in the world.

Paro is now looking forward to a blockbuster showdown with Devin Haney (pictured) or Ryan Garcia

Garcia posted on Twitter: “Good stuff I was watching Paro, fighting to Australia would be cool. Sorry if I got your last name wrong. #let’s go’.

Paro replied, “Always.”

The Australian says he will return to Vegas in January to try to cement a showdown with Garcia.

“I hope to seal that fight with Ryan Garcia – that’s the next step,” Paro said.

‘He said he was coming to Australia. I want to bring the big fights to Australia. I am blessed to be Aussie and I fly the flag.”

“It’s good to be back in the fight.”

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