Liam Paro Finds Success in his American Debut With a Win Over Yomar Alamo
In a battle of undefeated prospects, Liam “The Prodigy” Paro (22-0, 13ko) keeps his hopes of challenging for a title alive after getting off the canvas in the first round to edge out a close split decision against Yomar “The Magic” Alamo (20-1-1, 12ko).
As the fighters were ready to step into the ring, The Prodigy and The Magic were putting more on the line than their undefeated records. The winner is looking at a possible title shot in the future, while the loser moves down the ladder.
Alamo is a Puerto Rican fighter that, after his impressive professional debut, was immediately signed by Hall of Fame nominee Miguel Cotto back in 2013. Now fighting under the Black Tiger Promotional banner, the young and talented fighter has won the WBC Youth and WBO NABO titles.
Paro is not your typical Australian fighter. He is being well-groomed by sparring world champions such as Devin Haney and Shakur Stevenson. Others include the likes of Rolando Romero, Ken Sims Jr, and two-divisional champion Rances Barthelemy. In 2018, Paro was a 3kingsboxing prospect to watch.
WELCOME TO AMERICA
Paro, making his American debut, was trying to pump the jab and land the lead left-hand. While being aggressive and coming forward, he was caught with a perfect right-hand counter that dropped him in the opening round.
This trend would continue with Paro getting touched with the counter right-hand. Alamo was doing a good job of waiting and using the over-aggressiveness of the Australian against him. Moreover, his ability to disrupt the jab of Paro and land the straight right-hand was controlling the pace of the fight.
Going into the second half of the fight, the Prodigy adjusted by using angles and his footwork to confuse the Puerto Rican, landing body shots and counter left hooks. He also hit a rhythm with the jab as it was becoming a factor keeping Alamo off balance.
TOUGH TO CALL
These rounds are close to call, as both fighters had moments going into the closing rounds. Alamo started coming forward, landing the counter right-hand along with the jab. However, Paro found a home for the counter lead left-hand down the middle. He also kept landing the straight left-hand to the body.
As Paro was about to take control, landing a looping right hook, Alamo came back with another good right-hand over a lazy jab. It was a close fight going into the last round as both men needed to pick it up.
Alamo was able to control the pace moving around the ring, landing one shot at a time. But, Paro was the aggressor, landing the straight left-hand out the gate of the last round. As the final bell sounded, going to the judge’s scorecard, it was a close fight as neither man separated themselves down the stretch.
One judge’s score read 95-94 Alamo, and the other two saw it 95-94 and 96-93 for Paro. As the Prodigy’s record remain unblemished, he has now positioned himself to fight for a championship down the line in 2022.
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By: Garrisson Bland
