Prefer paradise fish myself.
My experience with the anabantoids has been that they are too slow and not aggressive enough to go in with Convicts. That would include the Paradise fish. They just don't move with the speed of a cichlid, and therefore are no match for them in a fight.
Thanks, Im not planning on doing this at all but who would win in this fight - Fuly grown Male fighter v Male Juvy 1 1/2 inch con?(yes I know im off topic, but no point making a new thread in the betta section)