INJURY will prevent Paddy ‘The Real Deal’ Donovan from his participation in a world welterweight title eliminator against Liam Paro in Brisbane, Australia, on Friday week (January 16).
“I’m extremely disappointed to have to withdraw from the fight,” Limerickman Donovan, who will turn 27 this weekend, said.
“I was confident of beating Paro. I missed three weeks of training due to illness (viral chest and respiratory infection) and my coach, Andy (Lee), took the decision out of my hands.
“I want to apologise to all the fans in Australia who were looking forward to the fight. I will be back stronger in 2026. I wish Paro well and hope that we can fight in the future.”
- External Walls: Up to €8,000 Grant
- Attic: Up to €1,500 Grant
- Cavity Walls: Up to €1,700 Grant
- Internal Dry Lining: Up to €4,500 Grant
The winner would have been designated as automatic mandatory challenger to current title holder Lewis Crocker, against whom Donovan has previously lost two highly disputed, heartbreaking matches in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
Donovan should be back training soon and ready to get back in the ring by late March.