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Liam Paro vs David Papot Fight Results: Paro Earns UD With One Eye

Originally posted on Fights Around The World | Last updated Sep 18, 2025 3:46 PM ET

Liam Paro’s welterweight debut turned into a test of grit and resolve, but the Queenslander emerged with his hand raised, edging past French veteran David Papot in a bruising 12-round contest at Brisbane’s Pat Rafter Arena.

Paro banked a unanimous points decision — 117-111, 116-112, 116-112 — improving his record to 27-1 and keeping alive his pursuit of a second world crown.

The local hero had to overcome adversity after a Papot right hand closed his eye in the fourth round, leaving him to fight on impaired vision for the remaining eight frames. The Frenchman — unbeaten in 31 fights until now — mocked Paro’s shots by shaking his head after being clipped, but the Mackay southpaw kept his composure, controlling the tempo and landing enough clean work to bank the rounds.

Paro had earlier split Papot’s eyebrow with a sharp left hand, and while the contest went the distance, the damage on both men told the story of a high-stakes eliminator.

“Same old sh*t, kept ticking over,” Paro said of the fourth-round scare.

“That’s boxing and respect to Papot, he was undefeated for a reason. We’re not playing marbles. I’ve got a lot to work on, back to the gym.”

The defeat was Papot’s first as a professional, while Paro is now firmly in the frame for a crack at the IBF belt recently claimed by Ireland’s Lewis Crocker. Promoter Eddie Hearn has floated Crocker against Conor Benn as a money fight, but Paro’s eliminator victory gives him a legitimate claim to the mandatory spot.

Wilson delivers statement knockout

Earlier in the night, Liam Wilson reignited his career with a devastating finish of Jorge Santana, producing one of his sharpest displays since his controversial world title challenge against Emanuel Navarrete.

In a wild opening, the Queenslander went toe-to-toe with the Dominican before landing a flush straight right and a savage left hook in the fourth round that ended the contest in emphatic style.

“Mr Damage is back,” Wilson declared after lifting his record to 17-3.

“I was a bit stagnant there for a while, but I’m back to my old ways, bit of mongrel in me. The mentality is to hit and hurt. I just want to hurt people, with respect.”

Wilson, who dropped Navarrete in their 2021 title clash only to be denied by a contentious long count, again called for redemption on the world stage. He also issued a challenge to compatriot George Kambosos Jr.