Australia’s Liam Paro has sensationally been left stranded on the eve of his IBF world title eliminator, with Ireland’s Paddy Donovan withdrawing from the bout over what has been suggested is a case of the flu.
Tszyu vs Zerafa | Friday 16 Jan from 7pm AEDT | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports.
Fox Sports Australia can confirm Donovan – who is promoted by Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom stable – has withdrawn from his proposed January 16 title eliminator against Paro due to “illness”.
Apart from being the co-main for No Limit’s stacked Brisbane showcase headed by Michael Zerafa and Nikita Tszyu, the winner was also set to earn a shot at new IBF welterweight champ Lewis Crocker.
As a result, promoters No Limit will now push for Paro to be catapulted straight into a bout with Crocker, who is also a Matchroom fighter.
Speaking with Fox Sports Australia on New Years Day, No Limit CEO George Rose confirmed the fight was off, admitted to being “extremely disappointed” by the news, and suggested further updates around the Brisbane event – including if a suitable opponent for Paro could be found – would be provided in due course.
Paro, meanwhile, also questioned his rival choosing to withdraw “with the flu”, and suggested it likely had more to do with the fact he “never wanted the smoke”.
Incredibly, the drama comes only weeks after Paro initially accused Donovan of running from their showdown — and urged him to “find a set” – following revelations the Irishman still hadn’t signed off on his contract.
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As part of an interview with Fox Sports Australia back in November, the Queenslander also accused his rival of talking “s***” to the media, and suggested the 26-year-old could still go “running with his tail between his legs”.
And with the fight now off, Paro questioned exactly how much his rival had wanted it.
“I’m gutted the fight is off,” he said. “I’ve put in a full camp, flown world-level sparring over to prepare and done everything right.
“So when it’s then taken away this close, of course it stings.
“And I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t frustrated.
“I was ready to go and he’s pulled out, simple as that. I was prepared for the toughest version of Paddy Donovan, and now he’s gone.”
Soon after, the former IBF super lightweight champ continued of Donovan: “To be honest, it feels like he never wanted the smoke.
“He took forever to sign the contract and now pulls out with the flu.
“I’ve battled through training camps before with sickness, including for the Matias world title, but fighters fight.
“I was coming in fit, confident, and ready to make a statement, and maybe he saw that.
“He was just going to be a statistic on my record anyways.”
Rose added: “It’s extremely disappointing to see Donovan’s team pull out of a world title eliminator.
“These opportunities are rare.
“Liam’s preparation and motivation for this fight were next level.
“That said, our focus now shifts back to Liam Paro chasing the world title and we won’t miss a step in making it happen.”
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Paro agreed.
“As frustrating as this is, it’s boxing,” he stressed. “We stay in the gym, grinding, and I know God always has a greater plan.
“My focus hasn’t changed one bit.
“I’m coming for Lewis Crocker and the world title next.
“I will be a two-division champion.
“This is just a delay, not the destination.
“I’ll reset, stay sharp, and be ready for the world title next … I should not and cannot be denied.”
Back in November, Paro accused Donovan of running – and urged him to “find a set” – following revelations the Irishman still hasn’t signed off on their January bout.
The declaration came a week after the fight had already been publicly confirmed for the Zerafa-Tszyu undercard, with the Aussie suggesting his rival was likely having “second thoughts” about travelling Down Under.
Paro’s claims came after initially being asked about Donovan’s confidence during interviews with UK media, which included suggesting he was looking forward to winning and going straight into a trilogy with Crocker – who he has lost against in his two most recent outings.
“It’s funny Donovan says that,” Paro replied. “Because if he really is so confident of getting through me, why hasn’t he signed the contract already?”
Tszyu vs Zerafa | Friday 16 Jan from 7pm AEDT | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports.
Tszyu to fight Zerafa in Brisbane | 01:04
Asked to confirm his rival hadn’t signed off, Paro continued: “No, he hasn’t.
“And I know he’s had the paperwork for weeks.
“So what’s so hard about signing a piece of paper? Especially if I’m just a stepping stone?
“This bloke calls himself a fighter but doesn’t want to sign the contract.
“It’s actually become quite annoying, and I just hope he finds a set and signs.
“Because I’ve seen in his interviews how he thinks he’s going to be the stronger puncher, the bigger guy … but that’s all just a load of s***.
“If he really is so confident, why hasn’t he signed the contract? I’m starting to think he is running with his tail between his legs.”
Paro then suggested his rival may be having second thoughts.
“Because Paddy knows this is a tougher fight than his past two against Crocker,” he continued. “And that’s now starting to play into his head, the idea that he’ll be staring down three straight losses.
“It’s why he’s having second thoughts.
“We’ve seen him in interviews talking a big game – saying how he will be more powerful, the bigger puncher, how he will bully me.
“But if he did really believe that, he would’ve signed already.
“I signed my paperwork immediately, within seconds of receiving it.
“I know Matchroom can play a few games but he’s the man, he’s the fighter, he is the one signing his name on the dotted line.
“And he doesn’t want to.
“That proves to me he is having second thoughts …”
“It’s going to be a bloody mess” | 00:40
Pushed on the fact Donovan had already done a handful of interviews about the showdown, Paro continued: “A lot of people call themselves fighters but, when it comes to the crunch, they don’t do what is required.
“Paddy knows what will be standing in front of him when we fight.
“And he knows I’m his toughest test yet.
“I’ve rained on parades before; just ask Subriel Matias.
“So the fact he is yet to sign, it just proves he doesn’t believe what he’s saying.
“All his talk, it’s for the cameras.
“It’s all about him fluffing himself up to be something he’s not.”
Tszyu vs Zerafa | Friday 16 Jan from 7pm AEDT | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports.
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