Liam Paro’s IBF world title eliminator has once again descended into chaos — with the former world champion’s French rival missing weight, even when stripped naked, and after a second fighter fell from the stage.
The drama came as both Paro and No Limit CEO George Rose also sent a direct message to heavyweight UK promoter Eddie Hearn, whose Irish client Lewis Crocker is the new IBF welterweight champion.
Paro vowed to use Thursday’s headliner to announce himself to a division boasting the likes of Devin Haney, Rolly Romero, Ryan Garcia, even Manny Pacquiao, declaring: “I love this s***”.
Paro vs Papot | THURSDAY 18 SEPT 7PM AEST | Liam Paro’s quest to recapture gold continues, as he moves up in weight to take on undefeated Frenchman David Papot, with the winner set up to compete for the IBF Welterweight Title. | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports.
Papot misses weight for Paro showdown | 05:35
All of which followed incredible scenes inside Pat Rafter Arena on Wednesday, with undefeated Frenchman David Papot forced to hit the scales behind towels held by his team after initially coming in over the 66.68kg limit.
Yet even when stripped down, Paro’s rival still weighed 66.72kg – or 40 grams over.
So after consecutive failed attempts, the fighter then disappeared to lose the additional weight, with a Team Papot spokesperson blaming the slight miss on No Limit’s scales being on an elevated stage, rather than on the arena floor.
Regardless, the Frenchman soon returned and landed bang on the limit.
Despite the weigh-in drama, Team Papot are incredibly confident their boy is set to cause an Australian boxing boilover on Thursday night, and have loaded up with bookies who have wound him outside $9.
Elsewhere, there were also major concerns over the Dominican Republic’s Jorge Santana – who fights Queenslander Liam Wilson in the co-main – after he toppled from the stage while testing his own weight.
Walking up on stage about 20 minutes before the event started, Santana was removing his shoes for the preliminary test when he leaned against an oversized, fabric backdrop – mistaking it for a solid wall.
From there, the fighter fell 1.2m and landed incredibly awkwardly, appearing in real discomfort as No Limit staffers ushered him to a seat.
Speaking with media later however, No Limit CEO George Rose confirmed the fighter – who eventually weighed in – had also been medically cleared to compete.
Paro, meanwhile, appeared unfazed by the chaos unfolding around him.
Asked afterwards by Fox Sports Australia about the weigh-in drama, he said: “We’re professionals and part of being professional is making weight.
“I’m sure he wants a shot at the title and he needs to make weight to do so.
“I’ll jump in with anyone, but we have weights for a reason.
“And I want him to make weight because I want him at his best.
“I want no excuses when I put him on his back.”
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The Mackay southpaw also said he expects Hearn to be watching from over in the UK, with a win pitching the Queenslander into a potential showdown with Crocker, who only won the title last Sunday.
“I think so,” he said when quizzed on the promoter watching. “I think he’ll be watching closely.”
Paro then promised to use his welterweight debut to put the entire division on notice.
“And a win certifies that,” he said. “But a dominant win inside the distance certifies it even more.
“If the opening is there for the finish I’ll take it with both hands and close the show.”
Across the room meanwhile, Team Papot member David Musset said his fighter had initially made weight on their hotel scales.
“Everything was perfect,” he said, before nodding at the scales up on stage.
“Look at the (elevated) floor.
“I’m a promoter in France and so I notice that problem.
“But look, it’s 40 grams.
“That’s nothing.
“David doesn’t even have to do anything for an hour, his body will continue to work and he will burn those grams.
“(Laughs) Or maybe he could shave his beard.
“But everything is OK.”
And eventually it was.
“And this will be a very, very good fight, believe me,” Musset continued. “They have him at nine dollars, which is so much over.
“But that’s OK. We like that.”
So you’ll have a bet?
“Of course,” he grinned. “I like money.”
Paro vs Papot | THURSDAY 18 SEPT 7PM AEST | Liam Paro’s quest to recapture gold continues, as he moves up in weight to take on undefeated Frenchman David Papot, with the winner set up to compete for the IBF Welterweight Title. | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports.
‘Not that big’ Paro ready to pound Papot | 03:27
Addressing the media afterwards, No Limit boss Rose also responded to claims from Hearn that Crocker could next face another of his clients, Englishman Conor Benn, rather than Paro.
“Look, Eddie does what Eddie does,” the promoter said.
“He likes to run his own race.
“But Liam Paro is here to fight.
“Here to beat everyone too.
“I’ve got every confidence in Liam not only competing with everyone in the world but knocking them off.
“And if Conor Benn ends up being the guy holding the title, Liam Paro will punch holes in him.”
Wednesday’s drama followed an incredibly chaotic three days for the Rose brothers, with popular Aussie Brock Jarvis ruled out of his fight with a busted shoulder and two international rivals failing to make it through customs.
Nyngan’s Sonny Knight has stepped in on 48 hours’ notice to replace Jarvis, while former Olympic heavyweight Johan Linde has also stepped up to face Floyd Masson.
However, undefeated Mt Druitt prospect Paulo Aokuso has been left without a fight in what was supposed to be his hyped No Limit return.
“But we thought the main and co-main were the safe fights,” Rose grinned. “Now they’re the ones that have tossed up some s*** for us today.
“It’s kept us on our toes.
“We’ve had Liam Wilson’s opponent take a fall, and a fairly spectacular one.
“So we had to get him medically cleared.
“And then you have the 40 grams.
“It doesn’t seem like a lot until you’re fighting for a world title eliminator.”