No Limit Boxing promoter George Rose made it clear that Pacquiao sits at the top of Paro’s wish list for his first marquee title defense.
“Manny is the one fight we want to make for Liam,” Rose said to The Australian.
“Imagine Manny coming back to Australia.
“Ryan Garcia, Devin Haney and Rolly Romero all hold world titles, but we don’t have to do a unification.
“Imagine doing a card with Manny, Paro and possibly two Tszyus.
“It would be sensational.”
Paro has a personal connection to the Filipino icon. Before Jeff Horn’s upset victory over Pacquiao in 2017, Paro served as Horn’s primary southpaw sparring partner, logging more than 100 rounds in preparation for the fight. Now the Australian hopes to share the ring with the fighter he grew up admiring.
“Manny Pacquiao was my favorite fighter growing up,” Paro said.
“I was Jeff Horn’s main sparring partner for the Pacquiao fight, and I was there to witness that atmosphere first-hand.
“The opportunity is there, but first I have to take care of business against Lewis Crocker.
“Then I’d love to share the ring with Manny Pacquiao, Ryan Garcia or any of the big names.”
With the Crocker victory now behind him, Paro has already cleared the first hurdle toward those ambitions. A fight with Pacquiao would likely require the 46-year-old to receive an exception from the IBF because he is not currently ranked by the sanctioning body.
Rose also acknowledged that making any of the major fights would require extensive negotiations but believes No Limit’s working relationship with Premier Boxing Champions could help open doors.
“It’s always hard, but never impossible,” Rose said.
“You have the talks and see how it all plays out.
“We have a good relationship with PBC, and there are opportunities there with fighters like Rolly Romero and Ryan Garcia.
“Liam is in the glamour division of boxing. If he wins, he becomes our best fighter in the country.”
Pacquiao fought Mario Barrios to a draw in his comeback bid for the WBC welterweight title last year and has remained active in pursuing another major fight. While hopes for a rematch with Mayweather remain alive, Paro’s team believes bringing the Filipino legend back to Australia would create one of the biggest boxing events the country has hosted in years.
