SAN FRANCISCO – From Liam Paro’s point of view, Montana Love looked for a way out of his last fight.
Cut from an accidental clash of heads early in the sixth round, Paro suspects Love didn’t want to continue in what had been a difficult fight against Steve Spark and therefore fouled Paro’s fellow Australian by hurling him over the top rope. Love’s infamous infraction led to referee David Fields disqualifying him in November 2022 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Love’s hometown of Cleveland.
Love will fight for the first time in the year that has passed since his controversial loss to Spark when he opposes Paro on the Regis Prograis-Devin Haney undercard Saturday night at Chase Center. The 12-round, 140-pound bout between Paro (23-0, 14 KOs) and Love (18-1-1, 9 KOs) will be DAZN Pay-Per-View’s co-feature before Prograis defends his WBC super lightweight title against Haney.
Paro, a southpaw from Mackay, Australia, believes he can get inside Love’s head during their high-stakes junior welterweight fight after what he witnessed when Love fought Spark.
“You’re a professional,” Paro told BoxingScene.com. “Dealing with frustration is part of being a professional. He didn’t show much professionalism at all, I believe. But yeah, I do think he was looking for a way out. It was a weird fight. It is what it is, but he’s gonna have a lot to prove now and we’re gonna see how he goes on Saturday night.”
Spark dropped Love in the second round of their scheduled 12-rounder. Love trailed 48-46 on the card of judge Dana DePaolo and was even, 47-47, according to judges Jamie Garayua and Ansel Stewart entering the sixth round.
The abovementioned accidental head-butt caused a cut around Love’s left eye. Less than 10 seconds after the action resumed, Love, entangled with Spark, whose back was against the ropes, flipped Spark over the top rope.
Spark was fortunate to land feet-first on the arena floor. He walked up the steps and climbed back through the ropes several seconds later.
After conferring with Ohio Athletic Commission officials at ringside, Fields disqualified Love.
“Look, it was a very weird fight,” Paro said. “But all I got out of that is there was a bit of pressure and he folds under pressure. He doesn’t like pressure. He started getting dirty and [Spark] started getting to him. I believe I can get in his head pretty easy. You know, actions speak and he showed that in his last fight. I just think he likes a slow-paced fight, which we ain’t gonna bring to him. We’re gonna bring it to him and I think we’re just gonna dominate. That’s how I feel.”
The 27-year-old Paro was supposed to challenge Prograis (29-1, 24 KOs) for his WBC 140-pound championship June 17 at Smoothie King Center in Prograis’ hometown of New Orleans. Paro withdrew from their fight early in May, however, because he suffered a slight tear to his left Achilles tendon during a sparring session.
Paro’s injury didn’t require surgery, but it helped extend his layoff to almost 14 months. He hasn’t fought since his first-round knockout of then-unbeaten countryman Brock Jarvis (21-1, 19 KOs) in October 2022 in South Brisbane, Australia.
A motivated Paro hopes to fight the Prograis-Haney winner, yet he realizes Love is a capable opponent, despite what happened against Spark (16-3, 14 KOs).
“He’s a good fighter, don’t get me wrong,” Paro said. “His last fight, it is what it is. He’s got a lot of critics at the moment. All eyes are on him, but I believe he’s gonna be very prepared for this one. He’s got a lot to prove. He’s a good fighter. I’ve got nothing bad to say about him. I’m keen to share the ring with him, but I’m gonna show that I belong right at the top level and this is just another guy in my way of my dreams.”
Paro-Love will be the third of four fights DAZN Pay-Per-View will offer starting at 8 p.m. ET (5 p.m. PT). DAZN subscribers can get a $15 discount ($59.99) by purchasing this $74.99 show through DAZN’s website or app.
Keith Idec is a senior writer/columnist for BoxingScene.com. He can be reached on Twitter @Idecboxing.