Liam Paro needs a new dance partner.
Top Rank’s Arnold Barboza was paired with the Australian in a WBO super-lightweight world title eliminator, but this week’s purse bids were won by Paro’s promoters Matchroom after a bid of $303,000.
In a letter to Barboza’s promoter Bob Arum the sanctioning body informed him that they had received an email stating the 31-year-old will not take the fight.
They wrote, “On Friday, April 28, 2023, the WBO confirmed receipt of email correspondence by Mr Jeremy Koegel, on behalf of Top Rank advising that Mr Rick Mirigan, on behalf of Arnold Barboza Jr, does not wish to proceed with the ordered bout (Barboza/Paro) on the financial terms afforded by Matchroom’s winning bid held on Thursday, April 27, 2023.”
Paro, who joined Matchroom’s stable at the end of 2021, could now face former world champion Jose Carlos Ramirez. The 30-year-old was yesterday granted 48 hours by the WBO to confirm whether he is ready and able to face Paro. Should he refuse then the chance would be offered to the next ranked fighter which is Shohjahon Ergashev.
Paro made his debut for Eddie Hearn’s outfit last October with a first-round knockout win against compatriot Brock Jarvis. Ramirez, who fought and lost to Josh Taylor in their undisputed championship fight two years ago, has since won his last two fights against Jose Pedraza and Richard Commey, respectively. The question now is what will Ramirez do? Cross sides to face Paro on a Matchroom promotion and accept the smaller percentage of the 60/40 split or pursue another, more favourable option.