THE IBF HAS ordered a final eliminator between Paddy Donovan and Australia’s Liam Paro, the winner of which would be positioned to challenge for the welterweight world title currently held by Lewis Crocker.
Limerick’s Donovan (14-2, 11KOs) has suffered back-to-back heartbreaking defeats to Belfast’s Crocker, who earned a contentious split-decision win in their Windsor Park rematch to seize the vacant world title last month.
However, following an appeal to the sanctioning body by Donovan’s co-manager and New York-based lawyer, Keith Sullivan, in the aftermath of that defeat in Belfast, Donovan remains third in the IBF’s welterweight world rankings, behind only champion Crocker and former light-welterweight beltholder Paro.
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As such, Donovan is once more only one victory away from earning a mandatory shot at the world title.
“Massive thanks to the IBF,” said Donovan. “They took their time to look at the appeal and made the right decision. That means a lot to me.
“I’ve huge gratitude to my management team, Keith Sullivan over in New York and Andy Lee here at home in Ireland. They never stopped fighting for me. I couldn’t ask for better people in my corner.
This has only fired me up even more. I’m back chasing that world title, and when I get there again, there’ll be no questions left.
Currently ranked no.2 by the IBF, Australian Paro (27-1, 16KOs) has won two successive fights on his transition to 147 pounds from 140.
The Queensland native decided to move up in weight on health grounds after he was narrowly dethroned by talented American Richardson Hitchins last December. Paro had previously stunned Puerto Rican puncher Subriel Matias to claim the IBF light-welterweight title.
Liam Paro on the attack against David Papot in Brisbane last month. Alamy Stock Photo
Alamy Stock Photo
In his first bout as a fully fledged welterweight last month, Paro overcame an eye injury to inflict a first defeat on Frenchman David Papot.
The IBF have given Donovan and Paro’s respective promoters, Matchroom Boxing and No Limit, until 30 October to reach an agreement on the bout before it is put to purse bids.
This does not guarantee that a fight between Donovan and Paro will take place, but an eliminator between them would be — by far — the fastest route back into a world-title fight for each man.
If either Paro or Donovan decline to participate in negotiations, that boxer’s IBF ranking will drop to below no. 10 for at least six months and the next available boxer in line will be offered the opportunity to enter the elimination process.
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New champion Crocker is expected to take a voluntary defence before facing his mandatory challenger — likely either Donovan or Paro — next year.
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'This has only fired me up even more' - Paddy Donovan set to return in world-title final eliminator
THE IBF HAS ordered a final eliminator between Paddy Donovan and Australia’s Liam Paro, the winner of which would be positioned to challenge for the welterweight world title currently held by Lewis Crocker.
Limerick’s Donovan (14-2, 11KOs) has suffered back-to-back heartbreaking defeats to Belfast’s Crocker, who earned a contentious split-decision win in their Windsor Park rematch to seize the vacant world title last month.
However, following an appeal to the sanctioning body by Donovan’s co-manager and New York-based lawyer, Keith Sullivan, in the aftermath of that defeat in Belfast, Donovan remains third in the IBF’s welterweight world rankings, behind only champion Crocker and former light-welterweight beltholder Paro.
As such, Donovan is once more only one victory away from earning a mandatory shot at the world title.
“Massive thanks to the IBF,” said Donovan. “They took their time to look at the appeal and made the right decision. That means a lot to me.
“I’ve huge gratitude to my management team, Keith Sullivan over in New York and Andy Lee here at home in Ireland. They never stopped fighting for me. I couldn’t ask for better people in my corner.
Currently ranked no.2 by the IBF, Australian Paro (27-1, 16KOs) has won two successive fights on his transition to 147 pounds from 140.
The Queensland native decided to move up in weight on health grounds after he was narrowly dethroned by talented American Richardson Hitchins last December. Paro had previously stunned Puerto Rican puncher Subriel Matias to claim the IBF light-welterweight title.
In his first bout as a fully fledged welterweight last month, Paro overcame an eye injury to inflict a first defeat on Frenchman David Papot.
The IBF have given Donovan and Paro’s respective promoters, Matchroom Boxing and No Limit, until 30 October to reach an agreement on the bout before it is put to purse bids.
This does not guarantee that a fight between Donovan and Paro will take place, but an eliminator between them would be — by far — the fastest route back into a world-title fight for each man.
If either Paro or Donovan decline to participate in negotiations, that boxer’s IBF ranking will drop to below no. 10 for at least six months and the next available boxer in line will be offered the opportunity to enter the elimination process.
New champion Crocker is expected to take a voluntary defence before facing his mandatory challenger — likely either Donovan or Paro — next year.
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