Liam Paro has been issued a direct challenge by his mandatory challenger, with Irish star Paddy Donovan declaring he will fight the Aussie world champion anywhere.
Donovan wasted little time turning his attention towards Paro after producing a dominant stoppage victory over Tyrone McKenna on Sunday.
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The 27-year-old dropped McKenna with a vicious body shot in the second round before opening a nasty cut above his opponent’s eye, prompting the ringside doctor to call a stop to the contest during the fourth.
And with his dangerous assignment complete, Donovan immediately called for a shot at Paro’s IBF welterweight crown.
“Liam Paro, let’s go. Sign it,” Donovan told IFL TV.
“I’ll fight you anywhere. Get the paper and get it signed.
“I want to become world champion and I want to challenge the best welterweights in the world.
“That’s where I am right now. That’s where my mind is. That’s where my career is pushing me towards.
“So Liam Paro, if you’re listening, sign the contract, baby.”
Donovan then revealed he had already spoken to Matchroom boss Eddie Hearn about making the fight, while suggesting Paro viewed him as a high-risk, low-reward opponent.
“We spoke about this fight,” Donovan said.
“There’s a reason Liam Paro doesn’t want to take the fight with me.
“As Eddie said, he’s looking for a big payday and he just doesn’t want to fight me. Why would he?
“The money isn’t as big as fighting one of the other champions and it’s a bigger risk for him.
“He’s not going to beat me.”
In an interview with DAZN last week, Hearn said his fighter would defeat the Aussie.
“I’m very sure that Paddy Donovan will beat Liam Paro,” he said.
“That’s why we have to keep our foot on the necks of these governing bodies so they install the rules that they set.
“We have to make sure that these rules are followed.”
Paro has not publicly indicated he is unwilling to face Donovan, but has made no secret of his desire to chase the biggest fights available following his gritty world-title win over Lewis Crocker in Brisbane.
The Queenslander has recently traded barbs with WBC champion Ryan Garcia, challenging the American superstar to a unification bout after Garcia dismissed him as merely “renting” his IBF strap.
Paro responded by telling Garcia: “If I’m so easy, let’s unify next! Come get it, bitch!”
He later teased that “fight news” would be arriving soon, although his next opponent is yet to be formally announced.
Donovan, however, believes he should be the man standing across the ring from Paro.
The Irish southpaw secured his position as the IBF’s mandatory challenger by defeating Karen Chukhadzhian via majority decision in Germany in May, but risked that status to compete on Sunday’s historic Croke Park card.
His victory over McKenna improved his pro record to 16-2 with 12 knockouts and rebuilt further momentum following his two losses to Crocker.
Donovan was controversially disqualified for punching after the bell in their first meeting before losing a narrow split decision in their rematch for the vacant IBF title.
Crocker subsequently lost the belt to Paro, who claimed a unanimous-decision victory in Brisbane to become a two-division world champion.
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That result has now placed the Aussie directly in Donovan’s sights.
And after dispatching the famously tough McKenna in destructive fashion, the mandatory challenger wants all the smoke.
“Get the paper and get it signed,” Donovan said.
“Liam Paro, if you’re listening, sign the contract, baby.
“I want my belt.”