Liam Paro and Paddy Donovan will fight in a final eliminator for the IBF welterweight title at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre in Brisbane, Australia on January 16.
Donovan lost to the champion Lewis Crocker in a fight for the same, then-vacant, title in September, and in an attempt to force a third date with his fellow Irishman he will travel to Paro’s hometown to feature on the undercard of the all-Australian grudge match between Michael Zerafa and Nikita Tszyu.
“There has been an agreement reached,” said No Limit’s George Rose. “While it hasn’t been officially signed off, everything has been agreed on. A man’s handshake is pretty much as good as a contract – that’s where we’re at right now. It is agreed – it’s going ahead.
“Liam Paro will be fighting Paddy Donovan. This will be a final eliminator for that world title, and I’m stoked for Paro, because the journey he’s had – becoming a world champion [at junior welterweight], losing his world title and then fighting his way back to position, we’ve been really excited for him to be on this journey to get back to where he belongs, and this is the fight that puts him there.
“Within a handful of fights he’s been able to get back to that position, and we’re stoked that Paddy Donovan’s locked in. We’ll get him out here, introduce him to Queensland, and send him home with another loss, because Liam Paro’s headed for the top.
“This is a very tough fight. I thought Paddy Donovan looked the better in that fight [against Crocker, who he also lost to, via disqualification, in March]. It’ll be a really tough fight for Liam Paro, but mark my words – Liam Paro’s a world champion and he’ll be back at the top.”
Paro, 29, sacrificed the IBF junior-welterweight title won from Subriel Matias when in December he lost to Richardson Hitchins. He responded by signing a promotional agreement with No Limit and moving to welterweight, where he defeated Jonathan Navarro and David Papot, and he said: “It’s exciting. I believe I’ve got the tools – I’ll stay disciplined and think I’ll get it done.
“He’s a good boxer. He’s gonna be a bit more conventional, compared to the last one, but we’ve just got to go out there and box smart. I’m finally building into welterweight. We’ve just got to go there with the game plan – I’ve got to execute it and I believe I’d get past most people by doing that.
“It’s a blessing to be back on home soil. No Limit bringing the big fights to Australia. Being back fighting in front of my own people means the most to me – it’s truly special. Two-time world champion here, in Australia.”
Asked about plans for a future title fight in the city’s celebrated Suncorp Stadium, he responded: “If I don’t get past Paddy Donovan those opportunities aren’t there. I know they’re on the horizon, but I’ve got to get this guy out of the way. It’s all focus on Paddy Donovan and taking him out in dominating fashion.”
After the 26-year-old Donovan and Paro leave the ring, Tszyu, 27, and the 33-year-old Zerafa will fight at a catchweight of 157lbs. The undefeated Tszyu has been campaigning at junior middleweight, the weight division beneath Zerafa, who has won three fights in succession since being stopped by Erislandy Lara in March 2024.
There will also be an all-Australian heavyweight contest between Demsey McKean and Toese Vousiutu, and a fight involving the junior lightweight Liam Wilson, against an opponent to be confirmed.
