Liam Paro vs. Jonathan Navarro - June 25, 2025

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Liam Paro gets 'homecoming' against Jonathan Navarro on June 25

Liam Paro is to fight Jonathan Navarro at the Convention Centre in Cairns, Australia on June 25.

The former IBF junior-welterweight champion will fight for the first time since sacrificing his title to Richardson Hitchins in December, and for the first time in his home country since his victory over his compatriot Brock Jarvis in 2022.

Paro-Navarro will be supported by the lightweight contest between Liam Wilson, also of Australia, and Argentina’s Aryton Gimenez.

“It’s a real homecoming for me,” the 29-year-old Paro said. “I’ve always wanted to fight back in Queensland – where I grew up, where I first dreamed of becoming a world champion.

“I never got the chance to do that when I held the belt, but that’s about to change. I’ve been chasing fights all over the world for years, but now with [promoters] No Limit behind me, we’re bringing big-time boxing to Queensland. And this fight in Cairns is just the beginning.

“I’m a proud Queenslander, and I plan on putting on a clinic for my people. Jonathan Navarro is tough – he’s 18-1 for a reason – but I belong at the top of this sport, and I’m going to prove that again.

“I want every single one of them – Teofimo Lopez, revenge against Hitchins, all the so-called names in this division.

“This division is wide open – and I’m ready to remind the world exactly who I am.”

Paro won, from Puerto Rico’s Subriel Matias, and lost the IBF title while being promoted by Matchroom, who are working alongside Tasman Fighters to expand into Australia, but the fight against the 28-year-old Navarro represents his first since joining No Limit, and the promotional organisation’s George Rose said: “We’re absolutely pumped to bring No Limit Boxing back to Queensland – and this time, all the way to far north Queensland.

“Liam Paro is up there with the very best in the world and we’re stoked to be giving him the homecoming fight in Queensland he really deserved to have when he was world champion. And Liam Wilson has already gone to war twice for a world title on the global stage. To have both of these elite Queenslanders fighting at home, on the same night, in Cairns – it’s something special.

“We’ve taken boxing to every corner of Australia, and now it’s Cairns’ turn. This is going to be an unforgettable event – the type of show that helps inspire the next generation. And we’re just getting started.”

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Later this Month

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Fight Week!!

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Liam Paro and Liam Wilson ready to shine in important fights

In the biggest fight in Far North Queensland in Australia since Tim Tszyu boxed Jeff Horn in Townsville, former world champion Liam Paro returns to the ring against Mexico’s Jonathan Navarro while, in the co-main, former world title challenger Liam Wilson boxes undefeated Argentine southpaw Ayrton Giménez.

On the same No Limits bill, Paris 2024 Olympian Callum Peters boxes, as does upcoming talent Kirra Ruston, and the popular Vegas Larfield.

Paro is 25-1 (15 KOs) and fighting for the first time since losing his IBF 140lbs title to Richardson Hitchins in Puerto Rico in December, while the 18-1 (9 KOs) Navarro lost a tough fight to Jair Valtierra in Ireland at the end of 2024.

“It’s good to be back in Australia – and to top it off, in beautiful North Queensland,” said Paro. “You look at this fight card – the talent here is unreal, it’s an absolute cracker. I’m excited to be back and to put on a big show. There are no easy fights – we’re aiming straight for the top, picking up where we left off. I respect Navarro. He’s got good credentials, and anyone who knows the Mexican heritage knows they come to fight. He’ll be there, and the fans are the ones who will win.”
Paro said he is looking to make a statement and has predicted an electric atmosphere.

“I’d love to bring a world title back to North Queensland one day,” he added. “Navarro’s the right opponent at the right time. He’s young, he’s hungry – we’re both in our prime. We’ve both only had one blemish on our records, and this fight could skyrocket either of us. I only just found out we both represented our countries at the same Youth World Championships in Bulgaria. He can fight – and that’s what I love. I won’t get out of bed for easy fights. Right now, the only thing I’m focused on is him. The target is locked strictly on Navarro – nothing else matters.”

Navarro comes from a fighting family. His uncles, cousins and brother have all fought.

“It’s just in our blood,” he said. “I’ve got great experience, a strong amateur background, travelled the world, represented the USA – and I’m excited for this opportunity and for the fight. Coming back from a break, this is a huge moment. Fighting a guy like Paro, with his name, this is a big fight. Having him on my résumé would open so many doors. He’s a great fighter.”

In another 10-rounder, the often-exciting Wilson – coming off two wins over Youssef Dib – and having fought the likes of Oscar Valdez and Emmanuel Navarrete, will looking to improve his 15-3 (8 KOs) record.

“Ayrton Giménez is a good fighter with a strong record, but I’ve fought the best of the best,” said Wilson. “I’ve tested myself, I’ve failed in front of you guys, but I’ve brought myself back, and I’m here on Wednesday night to win – and to move on to bigger and better things. That means a world title fight with Emanuel Navarrete. I’ve wanted that rematch since the day I lost – two years ago – and it hasn’t left my mind. He’s a hell of a fighter, a world champion then and still a world champion now for a reason. If he doesn’t give me the rematch, I’ll fight my way into position and force it. But first, I must win on Wednesday. Giménez is a mover, he uses the ring well, but I think it’ll be an interesting fight. He brings something I haven’t faced before in the pros, but I don’t think he’s faced anything like me either. We’ll see which team puts together the better plan – and we’ll see the outcome on fight night.”

For his part, Giménez said he is expecting “a great fight.”

“I’ve seen Wilson – he’s a great boxer with a strong background in the sport. But I see this as a big opportunity for me, and I’m ready to take it. My goal is to fight hard and enjoy it. That’s what I’m here to do on Wednesday night.”

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How to watch Paro vs. Navarro: TV channel, live stream

Paro vs. Navarro is a No Limit on Fox event, meaning fans with Foxtel and Kayo subscriptions can watch the action at no additional cost.

Tune into Fox Sports 3 (Ch. 503), or jump on streaming platform Kayo, from 7pm to watch the fights.

Fight Card

Liam Paro vs. Jonathan Navarro; super lightweight
Liam Wilson vs. Ayrton Gimenez; super featherweight
Callum Peters vs. Anthony Hoarou; middleweight
Kirra Ruston vs. Kartik Kumar; cruiserweight
Vegas Larfield vs. Bryan Cabrillos; featherweight
Thomas Warria vs. Ricky Sandral; heavyweight
Laphya Reuben vs. Quinton Smith; middleweight
Aaron Stahl vs. Caden Russo; welterweight

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Full weights, are as follows

Welterweight, 10 rounds: Liam Paro (143.75lbs) vs. Jonathan Navarro (143.25lbs)

Junior lightweight, 10 rounds: Liam Wilson (129.74) vs. Ayrton Osmar Gimenez (129.23)

Six rounds
Light heavyweight: Callum Peters (162.84) vs. Luca Lanigan (170.56)

Cruiserweight: Kirra Ruston (178.77) vs. Kartik Kumar (180.72)

Featherweight: Vegas Larfield (125.45) vs. Bryan Cabrillos (124.05)

Welterweight: Aaron Stahl (146.49) vs. Caden Russo (145.97)

Four rounds
Heavyweight: Thomas Warria (242.70) vs. Ricky Sandral (231.28)

Middleweight: Laphya Reuben (158.61) vs. Quinton Smith (159.39)

[amwsnw]

Paro did what was expected, good stoppage win and landed his right hand well.
I thought Wilson was lucky to get the win.

[Beltane]

The Wilson victory was a home-town stew.

One judge had Wilson winning 8 of the 10 rounds. Bullshit!

Guide dogs need to be provided to all 3 judges.

[giacomino]

The Wilson victory was a home-town stew.

One judge had Wilson winning 8 of the 10 rounds. Bullshit!

Guide dogs need to be provided to all 3 judges.

Three Aussie judges, an Argentine fighter with no KO power brought in to lose to a local, you pretty much know the scoring. Same as in many other countries, unfortunately

[coneye]

Paro done the buisness , he looked good doing it against a very capable opponent , i like watching him , he's very workamlike , nothing flash , but gets down to buisness , gets his distance just right and makes them pay , .

Larfield ,, enjoyed that one the opponent was brought to lose but put a good show up while he lasted , was entertaining , and good in the fact it shown up where they need to work on with Larfield especielly his defence .

Ruston , Well once again he dominated , his opponent knew what he was doing looked to start off with like he was going to test Ruston , but it did'nt happen , a fight probably going in the right direction , could be a bright future for Ruston

Callum Peters ,, Well WHAT A JOKE , what the hell they doing with this guy , its the second time theve brought guys in of the street for him , what worries me about him is for all his ability , and lets not forget experience in the ameteurs , the last opponent shut his eyes throw a punch AND LANDED , last nights opponent with his 16 year old trainer had no idea, he was not even a boxer , making his debut ,his experience is he had a couple Muiy thai fights , stepped in the ring for a quid , lets not forget Smith has had over 100 ameteur fights , commonwealth medalist .

but yet he actually landed a jab on Callum before he got dropped and stopped , now Callums off back to the ameteurs to get a decent fight , remember this guy has wins over Rushton in the ameteurs he has potential but really needs them to put the money into him and get him a trainer who will teach him not every fight has to be fought in a phone box he has a long reach how to use it , but above all bring fighters who will test him not guys off the street on 2 days notice AGAIN , Which brings me to another thing what the hell they allowing guys to jump back and forwards from the ameteurs to pro's for

Wilson , well agree wit the others , i tink he done enough to win , but the other guy made him work for it .

Paro , Entertaining and worth watching

All in all not a bad night of boxing loved it was free on foxtel , i would never of paid because i already pay top dollar for fox anyway , i think the matchmaking was pretty good , opponents who came to have a go , EXCEPT for Smiths opponent for christ sake either get him another proffesional boxer to box , or don't bother these fights are a complete waste of time

[Taansend]

Thanks Coneye

[amwsnw]

I definitely didn’t think Wilson did enough to win. Thought he lost 96-94…..best score Wilson could hope for.

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Ayrton Gimenez petitions WBO for rematch with Liam Wilson

The team of Ayrton Osmar Gimenez has formally requested an immediate rematch be ordered by the World Boxing Organization following his unanimous decision loss to Liam Wilson on Wednesday.

Wilson, 16-3 (8 KOs), of Caboolture, Australia won the WBO International junior lightweight title fight over the Argentinian Gimenez by scores of 98-92, 96-94 and 97-93 in Cairns, Australia. All three judges - plus the referee - were from Australia, including former IBF lightweight champion Phillip Holiday, who scored the bout the widest at 98-92.

OR Promotions, which is headed by Osvaldo Rivero and represents Gimenez, described Holiday’s scorecard as “inexplicable” in an Instagram post, adding “Despite the controversial defeat on the scorecards, Ayrton Giménez became known to the world after an excellent performance in Cairns, Australia, in which he was superior to the former world title challenger and local credit, Liam Wilson.”

WBO President Gustavo Olivieri confirmed on social media that a request had been received for an immediate rematch.

“The request has been referred to the Championship Committee for evaluation and determination,” wrote Olivieri.

Speaking with BS, Olivieri said “The petition will be referred to the corresponding committee for consideration and applicable ruling,” adding “we have to carefully and responsibly assess the merits of the petition.”

The 26-year-old Gimenez, 22-2 (4 KOs), had won five straight heading into the fight following a wide unanimous decision loss to Michael Magnesi in March of 2023. The shorter Gimenez appeared to outbox Wilson for long stretches of the bout, darting in and out of range while the taller Wilson stalked with power punches.

Prior to the bout, Wilson was rated no. 4 by the WBO at 130lbs while Gimenez was rated no. 15.