Boxing Match Preview: Liam Paro (27-1-0, 16 KOs) vs David Papot (30-0-1, 5 KOs)

Time: Main card begins 7:00 PM AEST (5:00 AM ET / 10:00 AM BST). Main event ring walks expected ~10:00 PM AEST.
Venue: Pat Rafter Arena, Queensland Tennis Centre, Brisbane, Australia (Capacity: ~5,500)
Broadcast: Main Event PPV (Foxtel/Kayo Sports in Australia).

Injury Report

Liam Paro (Australia, 27–1, 16 KOs)

Entered the fight healthy, but sustained a severe right eye injury mid-bout (swelling and vision impairment).

David Papot (France, 30–1–1, 5 KOs)

No reported injuries pre-fight; fought at full strength.

Fighter Matchups

Liam Paro

Age: 29 Height: 5’8” Stance: Southpaw

Style: Technical boxer-puncher, high output, disciplined jab.

Strengths: World-level experience, durability, composure under pressure.

Weaknesses: Can be drawn into exchanges, vulnerable to swelling/cuts.

David Papot

Age: 34 Height: 5’9” Stance: Southpaw

Style: Volume puncher, tactical, durable.

Strengths: Undefeated before this fight, strong fundamentals, stamina.

Weaknesses: Low KO ratio (just 5 stoppages in 30 wins), lacks fight-ending power.

Recent Form

Liam Paro

W – UD vs. David Papot (Sept 2025, IBF eliminator)

W – TKO vs. Jonathan Navarro (June 2025)

L – SD vs. Richardson Hitchins (Dec 2024, lost IBF 140lb title)

W – UD vs. Subriel Matias (June 2024, won IBF 140lb title)

David Papot

L – UD vs. Liam Paro (Sept 2025, first career defeat)

W – TKO vs. Josh Wagner (2024)

W – UD vs. Bilel Jkitou (2023)

D – SD vs. James McGirt Jr. (2019, only career draw)

Fight History & Context

Paro, a former IBF super lightweight champion, moved up to welterweight for this eliminator.

Papot entered undefeated (30–0–1) and ranked IBF #8, while Paro was IBF #7.

The winner was guaranteed a shot at newly crowned IBF welterweight champion Lewis Crocker.

Paro overcame a horrific eye injury in round 4 to win a unanimous decision (117–111, 116–112 x2).

Betting Trends

Paro has gone the distance in 4 of his last 6 wins.

Paro is 2–1 in world title fights since 2024.

Papot had never been stopped before this fight; his style leans to decisions.

Overs (fight to go the distance) have cashed in 7 of Papot’s last 8 bouts.

FIGHT ODDS

Liam Paro                            – 350

David Papot                       + 310

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Wednesday, September 17, 2025