Major promoter Eddie Hearn has declared Australian Liam Paro ready for a world title fight after the classy Queensland southpaw scored a stunning first round KO of Brock Jarvis in Brisbane.
Headlining the first Australian card of Hearn's Matchroom Promotions on Saturday, Paro retained his WBO Global super-lightweight title in sensational style by landing a picture perfect left to the chin of the Sydney fighter.
The previously unbeaten 24-year-old tried to get back up but had no chance of fighting on.
Paro (23-0, 14 KOs) showed why he was prepared to risk his WBO No.2 and IBF No.6 rankings with a statement performance which moved him closer to a world title shot.
Jarvis (20-1, 18 KOs) who was moving up in weight and fighting in an eighth division, looked the bigger man, but couldn't cope with the speed and precision of the slick southpaw.
Jarvis tried to harass 26-year-old Paro with his trademark pressure, but didn't land too many punches, while being on the receiving end of some fast accurate blows prior to the one that ended the bout.
"There was a lot riding on this fight, I've shut a few mouths," Paro said
"People who didn't believe in me, who thought Brock was going to win, please do yourselves a favour and educate yourself because you know nothing about boxing."
Hearn described the finish as one of the knockouts of the year and said Paro had made a statement to the world.
"That was a really, really world-class performance, a stunning knockout that will be played again and again around the world over the next few days," said the British promoter.
"He's ready to fight for the world championship.
"Josh Taylor will fight Jack Catterall, and it looks like he (Paro) should be mandatory for the winner.
"If they want to vacate, it's Liam Paro against Teofimo Lopez and I'll do everything I can to bring that to Australia."
In the co-main event, world-ranked Australian heavyweight Demsey McKean (22-0, 14 KOs) scored a third round knock-out over German Patrick Corte (18-2-1,15 KOs) in an untidy bout.
There was plenty of holding and pushing but McKean worked the body well and landed some good uppercuts.
A fatiguing Corte was buckled by some shots and McKean gave him a little shove on the way down with the German unable to beat the count.
Tokyo Olympian and 2018 Commonwealth Games gold medallist Skye Nicolson (5-0) won the vacant Commonwealth Boxing Council featherweight title with a unanimous 10-round points win over her compatriot Krystina Jacobs (6-4).
