Multiple outlets report that the IBF has ordered Liam Paro to face Paddy Donovan in a welterweight final eliminator, with Donovan calling it the result of a successful appeal on the part of manager Keith Sullivan.
Donovan (14-2, 11 KO) has dropped two straight to now-reigning titlist Lewis Crocker, but if anyone deserves some slack on that front, it’s him. The first bout saw him put the hurt on Crocker before getting disqualified for a shot after the bell, which the crowd noise prevented the fighters
from hearing, and while he hit the deck twice in their rematch, seemingly everyone but two of the judges had him earning the decision.
Paro (27-1, 16 KO), best known for upsetting Subriel Matias for the super lightweight title, fought past a grievous eye injury to beat David Papot in a less-than-final eliminator last month. Hopefully he has time to recover properly; the IBF gave them just two weeks to negotiate.
