Paddy Donovan withdraws from World Welterweight title eliminator with 'significant illness'

Donovan was set to take on Australian Liam Paro in Australia on January 16th.

FIGHT OFF: Lewis Crocker, left, and Paddy Donovan face-off, with promoter Eddie Hearn. Pic: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile.

Irish welterweight contender Paddy “The Real Deal” Donovan has been forced to withdraw from his IBF World Welterweight title eliminator due to illness.

Donovan (14-2, 11 KOs) was set to take on Australian Liam Paro (26-1, 16 KO) in Australia on January 16th but after suffering what has been described as “significant illness” which has sidelined him from training and sparring for more than three weeks, the Irishman has withdrawn from the fight.