Fox Sports Australia can confirm Donovan \u2013 who is promoted by Eddie Hearn\u2019s Matchroom stable \u2013 has withdrawn from his proposed January 16 title eliminator against Paro due to \u201cillness\u201d.<\/p>\n
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Apart from being the co-main for No Limit\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Speaking with Fox Sports Australia on New Years Day, No Limit CEO George Rose confirmed the fight was off, admitted to being \u201cextremely disappointed\u201d by the news, and suggested further updates around the Brisbane event \u2013 including if a suitable opponent for Paro could be found \u2013 would be provided in due course.<\/p>\n
Paro, meanwhile, also questioned his rival choosing to withdraw \u201cwith the flu\u201d, and suggested it likely had more to do with the fact he \u201cnever wanted the smoke\u201d.<\/p>\n
Incredibly, the drama comes only weeks after Paro initially accused Donovan of running from their showdown — and urged him to \u201cfind a set\u201d \u2013 following revelations the Irishman still hadn\u2019t signed off on his contract.<\/p>\n
“It’s a worse Tim!” – Zerafa slams Tszyu | 03:33<\/p>\n
As part of an interview with Fox Sports Australia back in November<\/a>, the Queenslander also accused his rival of talking \u201cs***\u201d to the media, and suggested the 26-year-old could still go \u201crunning with his tail between his legs\u201d.<\/p>\n And with the fight now off, Paro questioned exactly how much his rival had wanted it.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m gutted the fight is off,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019ve put in a full camp, flown world-level sparring over to prepare and done everything right.<\/p>\n \u201cSo when it\u2019s then taken away this close, of course it stings.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd I\u2019d be lying if I said I wasn\u2019t frustrated.<\/p>\n \u201cI was ready to go and he\u2019s pulled out, simple as that. I was prepared for the toughest version of Paddy Donovan, and now he\u2019s gone.\u201d<\/p>\n Soon after, the former IBF super lightweight champ continued of Donovan: \u201cTo be honest, it feels like he never wanted the smoke.<\/p>\n \u201cHe took forever to sign the contract and now pulls out with the flu.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve battled through training camps before with sickness, including for the Matias world title, but fighters fight.<\/p>\n \u201cI was coming in fit, confident, and ready to make a statement, and maybe he saw that.<\/p>\n \u201cHe was just going to be a statistic on my record anyways.\u201d<\/p>\n Rose added: \u201cIt\u2019s extremely disappointing to see Donovan\u2019s team pull out of a world title eliminator.<\/p>\n \u201cThese opportunities are rare.<\/p>\n \u201cLiam\u2019s preparation and motivation for this fight were next level.<\/p>\n \u201cThat said, our focus now shifts back to Liam Paro chasing the world title and we won\u2019t miss a step in making it happen.\u201d\u2028<\/p>\n “Piece of s***!” – Nikita RIPS Zerafa | 03:54<\/p>\n Paro agreed.<\/p>\n \u201cAs frustrating as this is, it\u2019s boxing,\u201d he stressed. \u201cWe stay in the gym, grinding, and I know God always has a greater plan.<\/p>\n \u201cMy focus hasn\u2019t changed one bit.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m coming for Lewis Crocker and the world title next.<\/p>\n \u201cI will be a two-division champion.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is just a delay, not the destination.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll reset, stay sharp, and be ready for the world title next \u2026 I should not and cannot be denied.\u201d<\/p>\n Back in November, Paro accused Donovan of running<\/a> \u2013 and urged him to \u201cfind a set\u201d \u2013 following revelations the Irishman still hasn\u2019t signed off on their January bout.<\/p>\n 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 \u201csecond thoughts\u201d about travelling Down Under.<\/p>\n Paro\u2019s claims came after initially being asked about Donovan\u2019s confidence during interviews with UK media, which included suggesting he was looking forward to winning and going straight into a trilogy with Crocker \u2013 who he has lost against in his two most recent outings.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s funny Donovan says that,\u201d Paro replied. \u201cBecause if he really is so confident of getting through me, why hasn\u2019t he signed the contract already?\u201d<\/p>\n