In a disappointing turn of events, Paddy Donovan's illness has forced him to withdraw from the highly anticipated IBF title eliminator against Liam Paro. This setback not only affects the fighters' plans but also has implications for the entire boxing schedule. The fight, originally scheduled for January 16, 2026, in Brisbane, Australia, was set to be a co-feature to the Nikita Tszyu-Michael Zerafa grudge match. However, Donovan's flu-like symptoms led to his withdrawal, leaving Paro and his team to adjust their strategies.
Paro, who was preparing for his first fight as an official welterweight, expressed his frustration, stating, "I’ve put in a full camp, flown world-level sparring over to prepare and done everything right. I was ready to put on a show in Brisbane. When it’s taken away this close, of course, it stings."
The bout between Donovan and Paro was highly anticipated, as it would have determined the next challenger for the IBF 147lbs title. Donovan, with a record of 14-2 (12 KOs), had previously fought on relatively even terms with Crocker, 22-0 (11 KOs), for 12 rounds, only to suffer a split decision defeat in Belfast. A win on January 16 would have set up a trilogy clash with Crocker, against whom Donovan was disqualified for hitting after the bell in their March 1 meeting in Belfast.
Despite the setback, Paro remains focused on his goal of becoming a two-time and two-division champion. He stated, "My focus hasn’t changed one bit. I’m coming for Lewis Crocker and the world title next. I will be a two-time and two-division champion... I should not and cannot be denied."
The rest of the show, including the scheduled 10-round regional middleweight title fight between Tszyu and Zerafa, remains intact. However, the withdrawal of Donovan has left a void that boxing fans and organizers will need to fill to ensure the event's success.
