‘This kid is a freak’: Next Aussie boxing superstar Callum Peters stuns in ‘85 seconds of savagery’

Australia’s Liam Paro has unveiled his shock plan to challenge both Manny Pacquiao and Keith Thurman in the next year — and on a night where No Limit stablemate Callum Peters confirmed himself the sport’s Next Big Thing.

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Already branded the nation’s most avoided fighter, 22-year-old Peters has earned the biggest win of his young career after finishing tough New Zealander Marcus Heywood in just 85 seconds of Wednesday night’s Fox Sports showcase.

Fighting in the co-main, the fighter dubbed ’50 Cal’ twice dropped his rival with vicious body shots in the opening exchanges before referee Phil Austin waved it off.

“We’re watching a superstar unfold,” Paro said of the youngster, having watched on from his ringside commentary seat. “He’s going to make waves on the world stage.

“This kid is a freak. A superstar in the making.”

Fox Sports analyst Peter Badel agreed, saying: “That was 85 seconds of savagery.

“He’s got all the tools … he can be a pay-per-view star here in Australia.”

Already likened to the legendary Dave Sands, Peters has also been tipped by No Limit boss George Rose to win a world title within the next 12 months – or quicker than even Jeff Fenech.

Exploding on Wednesday night as if fired out of a cannon, the fighter needed little more than a minute to finish a rival who had only been stopped once in 19 fights.

“I knew he had a tough head,” Peters grinned afterwards. “And you can’t stop someone with a tough head.

“So went to the body and put the pressure on.”

Incredibly, all this comes as the youngster also prepares to become the first Australian amateur to ever win gold at the IBA World Championships, which are being held in the UK this September.

Despite his rapid rise in the professional ranks Peters also hasn’t ruled out competing at the 2026 Commonwealth Games, and even the 2028 LA Olympics.

However, given the way the Adelaide product is progressing, it is likely a world title push will almost certainly overtake those plans of attending a second Olympics.

As revealed by Fox Sports Australia, Peters spent part of this build working in Las Vegas under the guidance of popular American head coach Bob Santos.

Apart from being the reigning Ring Trainer of the Year, Santos also boasts time with a large crew of past and present champions including Mario Barrios, Erislandy Lara, Carlos Adames, Joel Casamayor, Robert Guerrero and David Morrell Jnr.

Speaking in the ring afterwards, Heywood announced the loss likely represented his last fight.

Meanwhile in the main event, Brisbane cruiserweight Floyd Masson took another step towards what he hopes will eventually be an all-Australian showdown with Jai Opetaia – finishing New Zealand’s John Parker in seven rounds.

The younger brother of Kiwi heavyweight star Joseph Parker – who was in attendance for the fight — John was dropped by a brutal Masson body shot in the seventh and, despite beating the count, found himself under attack again soon after when his team threw in the towel.

While Masson stressed afterwards there was plenty he could have done better, the finish earned him the IBF Pan Pacific title and, likely, a spot inside the top 10.

The former IBO champ stopped short of calling out Opetaia, who holds both the IBF and Ring cruiserweight titles, and said he would be happy to take whoever his team puts in front of him.

Opetaia’s own immediate fight future is under a cloud given the man he most wants to face, WBA and WBO champ Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez, has only recently undergone shoulder surgery.

No return date has been announced.

Elsewhere on Wednesday night’s card, Paro’s sparring partner Ken Aitken – aka The Baby Faced Assasin – needed less than a round to finish Hunter Ioane, while Matthew Hosking stopped Jayden Vasica late in what had proved an entertaining, five-round slugfest.

Calvin Jennings, meanwhile, opened the night with an impressive majority decision win over Jacob Clenshaw, while Brisbane light heavyweight Jack Gregory also took a majority decision against Jahzia Puohotaua.

Earlier in the night, Paro revealed he is moving up in weight and immediately called out one of the welterweight division’s modern greats – branding Thurman a “chihuahua”.

Despite having previously held the IBF super lightweight title, and being in contention for another crack, the Queenslander also offered the legendary Pacquiao back Down Under to avenge his 2017 loss against Jeff Horn.

The surprise switch means Paro will give up his impending IBF world title eliminator against Mexico’s Lindolfo Delgado.

Instead, he will instead switch focus to chase lucrative bouts against the likes of Ryan Garcia, ‘Rolly’ Romero, Mario Barrios, even the legendary Pacquiao.

Speaking shortly before jumping into the commentary booth, Paro also challenged Thurman to an Australian showdown later this year, accusing the former world champ of being “all bark, no bite”.

The 29-year-old also reminded ‘One Time’ that he had also thrown down against the American’s most recent rival Brock Jarvis – and needed only one round for the finish, not three.

The callout follows Thurman recently tossing up Paro’s name after a proposed Tim Tszyu fight disappeared, following The Soul Taker’s title loss against WBC champ Sebastian Fundora.

Yet when asked about the American’s challenge, Paro said: “Keith Thurman, he doesn’t want it.

“Doesn’t really want it.

“He knows he’ll lose to Liam Paro.

“He called me out, it was out of nowhere.

“I’m a 140 pounder and this guy is fighting at 154

“But you know me I’m willing to fight anyone and will go up to 150 pounds.

“We told (No Limit) and they approached Keith Thurman but apparently he doesn’t want it.

“That’s how chihuahuas act, all bark no bite.

“We’re willing to go up to 10 pounds.

“I’ve never fought that heavy.

“But that’s how much I believe in my skill and what a scalp to take – Keith Thurman.

“So Keith if you’re listening you can get it anytime.

“Come to Australia.

“I respect you, but I took Brock out in one round, it took you three … let’s just leave that there.”

And as for a potential Pacman showdown?

“The legend, my favourite fighter Manny Pacquiao is back in boxing,” he grinned.

“Back at welterweight.

“Man, get me in there.

“Bring him to Australia.

“I’m sure he wants to try and get one back on Suncorp (Stadium).

“I’d be willing to offer that fight, very exciting.”