BoxRec

Liam Paro signs 'multi-year deal' with No Limit

Liam Paro has followed his victory over Jonathan Navarro by signing what No Limit Boxing have described as a “multi-year promotional deal” with them.

The 29 year old had told BS in the aftermath of the victory that represented his first for almost three years in his home country of Australia of his plans to re-sign for them at the conclusion of the one-fight agreement that had previously existed.

Part of No Limit’s appeal, he explained, was their plans to pursue for him another shot at a junior-welterweight world title, and the IBF – he was their champion until being dethroned in December by Richardson Hitchins – has since officially ordered an eliminator between he and the Mexican Lindolfo Delgado.

Paro’s fellow Australian, the junior lightweight Liam Wilson, won on the undercard of Paro-Navarro at the Convention Centre in Cairns when he defeated Ayrton Gimenez of Argentina, and, similarly, the IBF have ordered an eliminator between Wilson and Kazakhstan’s Sultan Zaurbek.

“I’m proud to have signed with No Limit – it feels like home, and that means the world to me,” Paro said. “I’ve fought all over the world, but nothing compares to walking out in front of a packed Aussie crowd. That’s what I’ve always wanted – to come back, be a headline act in my own country, and fight for world titles right here at home.

“I’ve proven this is my division, and I want to be world champion again – that’s the goal. I believe I’m at the top level, and I want to keep proving myself back there.

“The bigger the names, the better. Whatever’s going to elevate my career, that’s what I’m here for. I’ve got the best team in the world, and I’ll keep fighting whoever they put in front of me.”

“This is exactly what we promised Liam Paro when he came home – that he’d headline in Australia and be back on the path to a world title,” said No Limit’s George Rose. “And now, here we are.

“This multi-year deal is about turning Liam into the global star we know he is – right here in his own backyard. He’s an elite talent, action-packed, entertaining, and ready to fight the very best. The Australian public are going to love him. He’s our next pay-per-view star.

“And how good is it to see Liam Wilson right back in the mix too? These are real fights. Legacy fights. And we want them happening on Aussie soil. No Limit has the best roster in the country – and now two of our Liams are one win away from world titles.”

IBF orders Liam Paro vs Lindolfo Delgado final eliminator

Liam Paro is one win away from a shot at his former title, but an undefeated Olympian stands in his way

With former top contender Subriel Matias electing to challenge WBC champion Alberto Puello instead, the IBF has ordered former titlist Liam Paro to face undefeated Lindolfo Delgado for a crack at super lightweight champion Richardson Hitchins.

Paro (26-1, 16 KO) upset Matias for the belt two Junes ago, but fell to Hitchins by split decision in an impressively watchable defense. He looked as sharp as ever in last week’s beating of Jonathan Navarro, and while Navarro posed no threat to Paro, he’s clearly still a factor at 140.

“I’ve fought all over the world, but nothing compares to walking out in front of a packed Aussie crowd,” Liam Paro said. “That’s what I’ve always wanted – to come back, be a headline act in my own country, and fight for world titles right here at home.”

“I’ve proven this is my division, and I want to be world champion again – that’s the goal. I believe I’m at the top level, and I want to keep proving myself back there.”

“The bigger the names, the better. Whatever’s going to elevate my career, that’s what I’m here for. I’ve got the best team in the world, and I’ll keep fighting whoever they put in front of me.”

Delgado (23-0, 16 KO), a former Olympian, picked up his two best wins in his last three bouts. He handed Bryan Flores his first pro loss last August, stayed busy by merking Jackson Marinez four months later, then edged out Elvis Rodriguez this past April.

Solid scrap.

Per No Limit Boxing, who announced their signing of Paro alongside the eliminator, Liam Wilson (16-3, 8 KO) has also gotten the call to fight Sultan Zaurbek (20-0, 13 KO) for a shot at super featherweight champion Eduardo “Sugar” Nunez. Wilson’s 3-0 since getting stopped by Oscar Valdez, but struggled to get past unheralded Argentinean Ayrton Osman Gimenez last week. Kazakhstan’s Zaurbek is coming off a good win over Azinga Fuzile in April.

AUSTRALIA AN OPTION FOR LIAM PARO-PADDY DONOVAN, SAYS HEARN

After losing back-to-back fights against Lewis Crocker, Paddy Donovan has a chance to get back in the world title mix, but it might be in front of thousands of opposing fans.

Nothing is set in stone yet, but the IBF ordered a final eliminator between Donovan and former IBF 140-pound titlist, Liam Paro, last week.

Behind the scenes, No Limit Promotions, who handle Paro’s career, and Eddie Hearn, Donovan's promoter, have been negotiating.

Hearn wants to put his man in the best position possible. Donovan lost to Crocker by controversial disqualification in March before being defeated by split decision in their September rematch. Hearn, however, admitted the 147-pound contender may have to pack his bags and head to enemy territory for a clash with Paro.

“That’s a brilliant fight, Donovan against Paro,” Hearn told Matchroom Boxing. “Two very good fighters. We’ve been speaking to No Limit. They’ve made us an offer to do that fight in Australia. It’s a bigger split to Paro because of his position. So, we may have a little trip to Australia for that one.”

Currently, Paro (27-1, 16 KOs) holds the No. 2 spot in the sanctioning body, while Donovan (14-2, 11 KOs) comes in one spot behind him. For 29-year-old Australian, Paro, he wants all the chips stacked in his favor. Since losing the IBF title to Richardson Hitchins last December, he’s won two straight, against Jonathan Navarro and David Papot.

Neither a date nor a location haven’t been identified for Paro-Donovan yet, but Donovan says he's willing to fight his Aussie counterpart anywhere.

“There’s no arena, city, or country picked just yet,” Donovan told The Ring. “There’s potential in Ireland, London, Australia, or Saudi Arabia. Our teams are negotiating now, my manager, Keith Sullivan, is in talks with Liam Paro’s team, we’ll see - whatever and wherever it is - as long as I get a fair share, I win.”

I hope this fight happens in Brisbane at the tennis centre. Great venue and these are two are both highly skilled boxers.

Liam Paro-Paddy Donovan confirmed for January 16 in Brisbane

Liam Paro and Paddy Donovan will fight in a final eliminator for the IBF welterweight title at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre in Brisbane, Australia on January 16.

Donovan lost to the champion Lewis Crocker in a fight for the same, then-vacant, title in September, and in an attempt to force a third date with his fellow Irishman he will travel to Paro’s hometown to feature on the undercard of the all-Australian grudge match between Michael Zerafa and Nikita Tszyu.

“There has been an agreement reached,” said No Limit’s George Rose. “While it hasn’t been officially signed off, everything has been agreed on. A man’s handshake is pretty much as good as a contract – that’s where we’re at right now. It is agreed – it’s going ahead.

“Liam Paro will be fighting Paddy Donovan. This will be a final eliminator for that world title, and I’m stoked for Paro, because the journey he’s had – becoming a world champion [at junior welterweight], losing his world title and then fighting his way back to position, we’ve been really excited for him to be on this journey to get back to where he belongs, and this is the fight that puts him there.

“Within a handful of fights he’s been able to get back to that position, and we’re stoked that Paddy Donovan’s locked in. We’ll get him out here, introduce him to Queensland, and send him home with another loss, because Liam Paro’s headed for the top.

“This is a very tough fight. I thought Paddy Donovan looked the better in that fight [against Crocker, who he also lost to, via disqualification, in March]. It’ll be a really tough fight for Liam Paro, but mark my words – Liam Paro’s a world champion and he’ll be back at the top.”

Paro, 29, sacrificed the IBF junior-welterweight title won from Subriel Matias when in December he lost to Richardson Hitchins. He responded by signing a promotional agreement with No Limit and moving to welterweight, where he defeated Jonathan Navarro and David Papot, and he said: “It’s exciting. I believe I’ve got the tools – I’ll stay disciplined and think I’ll get it done.

“He’s a good boxer. He’s gonna be a bit more conventional, compared to the last one, but we’ve just got to go out there and box smart. I’m finally building into welterweight. We’ve just got to go there with the game plan – I’ve got to execute it and I believe I’d get past most people by doing that.

“It’s a blessing to be back on home soil. No Limit bringing the big fights to Australia. Being back fighting in front of my own people means the most to me – it’s truly special. Two-time world champion here, in Australia.”

Asked about plans for a future title fight in the city’s celebrated Suncorp Stadium, he responded: “If I don’t get past Paddy Donovan those opportunities aren’t there. I know they’re on the horizon, but I’ve got to get this guy out of the way. It’s all focus on Paddy Donovan and taking him out in dominating fashion.”

After the 26-year-old Donovan and Paro leave the ring, Tszyu, 27, and the 33-year-old Zerafa will fight at a catchweight of 157lbs. The undefeated Tszyu has been campaigning at junior middleweight, the weight division beneath Zerafa, who has won three fights in succession since being stopped by Erislandy Lara in March 2024.

There will also be an all-Australian heavyweight contest between Demsey McKean and Toese Vousiutu, and a fight involving the junior lightweight Liam Wilson, against an opponent to be confirmed.

Paro v Donovan off

Yeah but Paro v Crocker on. Just hoping it's in Brisbane.

The WA government will put up funds, no doubt. These events are top of the agenda out west with kambosos v loma, the ufc and wwe all getting great govt backing.
Hopefully when it is made, if in Australia (regardless of city) Nikita can get a meaningful bout on the undercard.

Paro v Crocker postponed. An “apparent” hand injury to Crocker……let’s see how long it takes this injury to heal, whatever it is.

So looking forward to Paro v Crocker. Brisbane has heaps of good fighters that Would like to see on the undercard. Ruston v Paulo would be great. Please Please no footballers.

Unfortunately, two retired NRL Footballers: Nelson Asofa-Solomona and George Burgess will sully the card, in a bout scheduled for 4 rounds.

Beltane wrote: ↑16 May 2026, 09:03 Unfortunately, two retired NRL Footballers: Nelson Asofa-Solomona and George Burgess will sully the card, in a bout scheduled for 4 rounds.

And there are the two ex football celebrities masquerading as boxers. Brisbane has so many good boxers that could bring skills and are dedicated to the sport. What about Ruston v Aokuso or Whylie v Devyatov. The undercard has to contain some good match ups or despite the quality of Paro I won't be going.