Liam Paro upset the odds in the backyard of Subriel Matias, as he won the IBF super lightweight title with a unanimous decision win in their meeting in Puerto Rico.
Home hero Matias (20-2, 20 KOs) came into the contest as a noted puncher, with all of his wins inside schedule, and he was making a second defence of the belt he won against Jeremias Ponce last year. Paro (25-0, 15 KOs) was fresh off a December 2023 knockout of Montana Love, but was considered an underdog in front of 10,000 of Matias’ fans.
The visitor largely dominated the first half of the contest, simply by throwing more shots, and his combination work was eye-catching in round three, landing with an uppercut.
That uppercut was working well again in the fourth, but the champion finally got going in rounds five and six, where he had success on the attack.
Paro was docked a point in the seventh for holding and hitting, and Matias continued his progress, but looked a round or two behind going into the championship sessions.
The Australian found a second wind when he needed it, outworking the home favourite down the stretch, going past ten rounds for the first time in his career, and the result looked in little doubt at the final bell.
Paro was declared the new champion by scores of 115-112 twice, and a third score of 116-111.
Santiago stuns Fierro
On the undercard, Alfredo Santiago scored an upset, as he outscored Angel Fierro (22-2-2, 17 KOs) over ten rounds to take the WBO NABO lightweight title.
Santiago (15-2, 6 KOs) was adjudged the victor by two scores of 98-91, and one tally of 99-91.
Rivera banks another belt
Top talent, Yankiel Rivera added the WBO Intercontinental flyweight title to his WBC Continental Americas belt, as he took a clear points win against Victor Sandoval.
Rivera (6-0, 2 KOs), who dropped Sandoval (37-5, 23 KOs) in the second, won by two scores of 98-91, and a third at 97-92.
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Remaining Undercard
Stephanie Pineiro (7-0, 2 KOs) dominated her welterweight meeting with Diana Tapia Castro (7-2, 2 KOs), winning all ten rounds on two cards, and nine sessions on a third, and William A. Ortiz (6-0, 5 KOs) dropped Carolos Mitzael (6-3, 3 KOs) twice on the way to a points win over six at super lightweight.
