Aussie boxing star Liam Paro just put the boxing world on notice after delivering a stunning win against Montana Love in San Francisco on Sunday (AEDT).
The 27-year-old Queenslander secured his career-best win after the referee was forced to step in and stop the fight during the sixth round.
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Paro improved his professional record to 24-0 as he thrust himself into the upper echelon of the super lightweight division.
As the co-main event on the blockbuster Devin Haney vs Regis Prograis card, Paro stole the limelight as he stunned his rival with a blistering sixth round display.
The Aussie southpaw dropped his opponent with a devastating uppercut that landed clean on the button.
In the blink of an eye after the fight got back underway it was another hellacious left hand that floored Love.
Love got back to his feet and the fight got back underway but Paro wasn’t giving him any breathing space as he continued the onslaught before the referee stepped in to bring the bout to an end.
“I’m a man of my word, I said what I was going to do, it was a slow start but, f**k, it feels good to be back after 14 months out of the ring,” Paro said after the bout.
“He’s a good boxer but I said I could match him in anything, I believe I matched him with the boxing too and then he started slowing down pretty fast.
“We just keep turning the screws every round and that’s what I did.
“I’m very happy with my performance. There’s no such thing a ring rust.”
Paro called his shot for a crack at the title, which is now held by Haney after he delivered his latest masterclass to defeat Prograis.
“Bring on a world title,” he said.
“I want the winner of the main event, I’m ready for a world title, I’ve been ready for ages and I just cemented my spot at the top of this division now give me the best names.”
It was a mixed night in San Francisco for the Aussies with Ebanie Bridges was stunned by Japanese fighter Miyo Yoshida.
Bridges lost her IBF Bantamweight world title via a unanimous judges’ decision after she was completely pummelled.
The Blonde Bomber’s second title defence turned into a nightmare with Yoshida controlling the fight and landing punches at will.
The judges all scored the contest for Yoshida in a landslide.
Two judges gave Bridges just one round of the 10-round title contest with the judges scoring the fight 99-91 x 2 and 97-93.
One commentator on the DAZN broadcast showed what an upset it was.
“This was supposed to be an exhibition fight for Ebanie Bridges in the United States,” he said.
“This has been a disaster for her.”