Australia’s Liam Paro has been sensationally catapulted into a world title showdown against IBF welterweight champion Lewis Crocker – and only days after being crushed by the news that what was supposed to be a title eliminator next Friday night had been cancelled.
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The IBF has today ordered Crocker to defend against Paro, who is now the mandatory challenger, after rejecting a push from the Englishman’s promoter Eddie Hearn to have an April voluntary defence.
Team Paro will now enter talks with Matchroom boss Hearn to finalise details of the fight.
The decision caps off an incredible few days for the Queensland fighter.
As part of his bid to become a two-division world champion, Paro had been slated to fight Irishman Paddy Donovan in next Friday night’s stacked No Limit showcase in Brisbane – with the winner then granted a shot at Crocker.
That bout was set to act as the co-main for the hyped all-Australian grudge match that is Michael Zerafa versus Tim Tszyu.
The stacked card also includes the exciting heavyweight debut of new No Limit signing Nelson Asofa-Solomona.
However, Paro’s fight was sensationally canned after Donovan was struck down by the flu and subsequently forced to withdraw.
Immediately, No Limit CEO George Rose called for Paro to be granted a title shot.
And reports coming out of America reveal that will now happen.
Veteran US boxing scribe Dan Rafael was the first to report that IBF officials have ordered Crocker to defend against Paro.
While the champ had wanted to have a voluntary defence against Conah Walker in Belfast, that has been rejected — meaning the Australian now gets his chance to become a two division world champion.
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