Queensland boxing sensation Liam Paro is on track to become a two-division world champion after being ordered to face Paddy Donovan in an IBF world-title eliminator blockbuster in Australia.

Code Sports can reveal the IBF has called for a welterweight final eliminator between its two highest-ranked contenders, Paro and Donovan – with the winner to face current titleholder Lewis Crocker.

The development comes on a huge day for Australian boxing, with Michael Zerafa and Nikita Tszyu set to agree to terms for a domestic blockbuster in December this year.

It is understood the Paro-Donovan and Zerafa-Tszyu bouts could be co-main features on a marquee fight card for leading promoter No Limit’s final event of the year just weeks before Christmas.

The other option is for Zerafa and Tszyu to headline in December, before Paro and Donovan square off in January pending negotiations with the Irishman’s promoters Matchroom.

It is a huge coup for Paro (27-1, 16KO), the Mackay mauler who made his welterweight debut last month and disposed of tough Frenchman David Papot in a 12-round war to secure the Donovan (14-2, 11KO) fight.

The 29-year-old is now within striking distance of another world-title shot, 18 months after he shocked the world with his mega defeat of Subriel Matias to claim the IBF super lightweight strap in June 2024.

No Limit received paperwork from the IBF on Wednesday confirming the eliminator between newly-minted No.2 Paro and Donovan, who will be lured Down Under for the bout.

“We are super excited to secure this opportunity for Liam,” No Limit boss George Rose said.

“When we signed Liam we said we would not only make him a superstar in Australia but to become a two-division world champion.

“This fight will secure a showdown with the champion.

“Liam is not only one of the best boxers in Australia, but one of the best in the world.

“Liam showed in his last fight he is not only a sleek boxer but a tough-as-nails Aussie that never backs down.

“Liam is ready to finish the year with a bang and we have big plans to make him a world champion, just as we did with Tim Tszyu.”

Last month, Donovan lost a 12-round split decision to Crocker for the vacant IBF welterweight title in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

Five days later, Paro suffered a major eye injury against Papot, but showed incredible courage to hang on and consign the Frenchman to the first loss of his 32-fight career.

It’s understood No Limit are putting the finishing touches on a superb Christmas card, with Paro-Donovan and Zerafa-Tszyu to finish a drama-charged 2025 campaign.

Should Paro overcome Donovan, he will face Crocker for the IBF welterweight world title in 2026.

“It’s my plan to become a two-division world champion,” Paro said after his defeat of Papot.

“I’ve conquered the world at super lightweight and now I plan to do it at 147.

“I wish I’d gone up in weight earlier, I was feeling brain dead at 140, it was affecting my health, but I have more power and I’m stronger at 147.

“I am a man now. I’m 29 years old and filling into my body and I’m confident I can be a two-division world champion.

“I have a young family so there is more on the table now. It’s a short career and for now I am enjoying the process of fighting back in my home country with the support of No Limit.

“It’s unreal.”

Well-placed sources say the Zerafa-Tszyu fight will definitely happen after four years of bad blood between the camps.

Zerafa was meant to fight Nikita’s older brother Tim in 2021, only to pull out in fight week, prompting the Tszyu camp to accuse the Melburnian of being a coward.

But this time, it’s all systems go, with Nikita set to receive the green light from doctors to fight after being cleared of injury following his car-crash saga last weekend.

No Limit are exploring a number of venues for the Tszyu-Zerafa grudge match, including Sydney and Newcastle, but the Brisbane Entertainment Centre shapes as a frontline contender for their final show of the year.