Aussie boxer Liam Paro granted title wish as IBF rejects Lewis Crocker's exemption request
Updated . First published
Liam Paro is set for a world title bout after welterweight champion Lewis Crocker was ordered by the IBF to defend against the Aussie.
Crocker had applied to the governing body for an exemption to take a voluntary defence against an unnamed opponent in April, more than a month beyond the March 13 deadline for a mandatory defence.
But in a letter leaked online dated January 8, the IBF rejected the application and ordered Crocker to fight Paro.
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The news comes barely a week after Paro's opponent for his title eliminator against Paddy Donovan – which would likely have given the victor a shot at Crocker – on January 16 was called off after the Irishman was struck down by illness.
Following Donovan's withdrawal, No Limit's Matt Rose wrote to the IBF opposing Crocker's exemption application and asked that Paro be granted the title shot.
Liam Paro poses after a press conference. Getty
That request was granted, and Crocker and his team were ordered to begin negotiations with No Limit.
Paro was set to battle Donovan in the ring in Brisbane on January 16, the pair named as the co-main event on the Nikita Tszyu v Michael Zerafa card.
Paro did not hold back his frustrations in a statement about the fight being called off, and declared he felt the Irishman "never wanted the smoke".
"Took forever to sign the contract and now pulls out with the flu," he said.
"I've battled through training camps before with sickness, including for the Matias world title, but fighters fight.
Lewis Crocker (L) and Paddy Donovan during their IBF World Welterweight title bout. Sportsfile via Getty Images
"I'm gutted the fight is off. I've put in a full camp, flown world-level sparring (partners) 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. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't frustrated. I was ready to go, and he's pulled out, simple as that.
"I was prepared for the toughest version of Paddy Donovan, and now he's gone."
Paro was confident that even if the pair stepped in the ring that Donovan would have become another "statistic on my record" and said he would stay in the gym to keep fit, in the hope he would get the chance to fight Crocker.
"My focus hasn't changed one bit … I'm coming for Lewis Crocker and the world title next," he continued.
"I will be a two-time and two-division champion. This is just a delay, not the destination. I'll reset, stay sharp, and be ready for the world title next.
"I should not and cannot be denied."
No Limit CEO George Rose confirmed he was disappointed to learn the fight had been called off, but did not rule out the chance for Paro to still step in the ring in two weeks.
"It's extremely disappointing to see Donovan's team pull out of a world title eliminator," Rose said in a statement.
"These opportunities are rare. Liam's preparation and motivation for this fight were next level.
"That said, our focus now shifts back to Liam Paro chasing the world title, and we won't miss a step in making it happen."
