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Liam Paro Is Latest To Make Welterweight Move; Relinquishes IBF Title Eliminator vs. Lindolfo Delgado
NEWS
Manouk Akopyan
Manouk Akopyan
RingMagazine.com
Liam Paro Is Latest To Make Welterweight Move; Relinquishes IBF Title Eliminator vs. Lindolfo Delgado
Liam Paro isn’t interested in another 140-pound title run.

The Ring’s No. 5 junior welterweight contender announced his move to the welterweight division on Wednesday.

Earlier this month, the IBF ordered a title eliminator with Lindolfo Delgado, a week after Paro beat Jonathan Navarro by fifth-round stoppage.

The winner between Paro-Delgado would have emerged as Richardson Hitchins' mandatory challenger. Hitchins beat Paro in December via split decision for the 140-pound IBF title.

The fight marked Paro’s first championship defense after pitching a 12-round upset decision win against Subriel Matias in June 2024. Matias has since reclaimed gold, edging past Alberto Puello via majority decision as part of the Ring III card in New York this month.


Now, Paro (26-1, 16 KOs) looks to make his mark in a division that features Ryan Garcia, Rolando Romero, Devin Haney, Brian Norman, Manny Pacquiao, Mario Barrios and others.

During the Floyd Masson-John Parker broadcast in Queensland, Australia, on Wednesday night, Paro declared he'd been pushing his body to its limits in making weight and decided upon moving up — much like Arnold Barboza Jr and Jose Ramirez have in recent weeks.

"Ten years in this sport, it's finally time to go up a division. I conquered the world at 140 and have been doing it since 18 years old, 29 now and it's getting a little bit harder to make the weight so we made the decision to go up and chase a title at welterweight. I said it before, two-time has a ring but two-division champion has too, I'm keen to get it done," he stated as Main Event's social media added he wants two fights between now and the year's end.

In addition to a 150-pound catchweight clash against Keith Thurman, Paro was eager about potentially luring Pacquiao back to Australia.


“The legend, my favorite fighter Manny Pacquiao, is back in boxing,” said Paro. “Back at welterweight. Man, get me in there. Bring him to Australia. I’m sure he wants to try and get one back on Suncorp [Stadium, where he lost to Jeff Horn in 2017]. I’d be willing to offer that fight, very exciting.”

Manouk Akopyan is The Ring’s lead writer. Follow him on X and Instagram: @ManoukAkopyan

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