LAS VEGAS — IBF welterweight world champion Liam Paro has emerged as a potential unification opponent for WBC titleholder Ryan Garcia. Garcia, who successfully defended his 147lb title with a two-round stoppage of Conor Benn last month, had initially targeted a showdown with WBA champion Teofimo Lopez. However, that matchup remains in limbo after the WBA ordered Lopez to face mandatory challenger Jack Catterall, a ruling Lopez is currently appealing.
Paro, looking to remain active, intends to defend his IBF belt in late November or early December against a top-15 opponent. The Australian champion expressed his desire to secure a unification bout with Garcia in early 2027. “We’re not going to sit on the sideline,” Paro told Fox Sports. “I’m going to defend, looking to defend late November, early December with a top-15 opponent, keep busy, and hopefully snag Garcia early next year.”
While Paro would prefer to host the historic unification on Australian soil, he remains open to traveling to the United States to finalize the deal. “I’d love to fight him here, but if it means travelling to Vegas … that’s on my bucket list, to headline in Vegas. I’ll go there too. I don’t care. I’ve proved that before,” Paro said. Paro is currently expected to face a mandatory title defense against Ireland’s Paddy Donovan in the near future.