‘Anywhere, any place, any time’: Paddy Donovan wants his shot at Liam Paro next

Paddy Donovan wants a crack at Liam Paro’s IBF world welterweight belt next – and doesn’t care where he has to go to get it!

‘The Real Deal’ stopped Tyrone McKenna in the fifth round on Saturday night at Croke Park and instantly begun eyeing up the IBF strap held by Paro.

Donovan dominated McKenna before a cut over the Belfast man’s right eye brought a halt to the bout. 

Donovan is the IBF no. 1 world welter contender and is also next in line for the IBF strap.

“Liam Paro has the belt and I want the belt,” Donovan declared. “I’m ready to fight anybody. I’ve earned my stripes to become a world champion so let’s have it.

Let’s make the fight happen.

“I’m confident of beating any single welterweight in the world. I’m coming to fire, I’m coming to form so let’s bring it on, any where, any place, any time.”

The Limerick welter moved to 16-2, 12KOs after a powerful display to outgun his old sparring partner.

Trained by former WBO world middle weight champion Andy Lee and managed by Keith Sullivan, Donovan has had to pick himself up after two defeats to Lewis Crocker in Belfast.

Donovan returned to take a majority decision win over Karen Chukhadzhian in Mannheim in May before seeing off McKenna at the weekend. 

Australian Paro (28-1, 16KOs) overcame Crocker on a unanimous decision in June and the Queensland southpaw is now firmly in the crosshairs of Donovan (16-2, 12KOs).

Attired in the famous Kronk colours, Donovan said after his win: “It had to be good, it had to be special. 

“We’re here to put Ireland on the map and that’s what we’re doing. It’s a dream come true to fight here. Not many fighters get the chance to fight here. It’s all down to the greatest of all time, Katie Taylor.”