Devin Haney can pick up another welterweight belt against Liam Paro, but collecting gold will not satisfy fans who waited nearly a year to see him back in the ring.
Paro holds the IBF title, offering Haney a clear path to unify the division. What Paro lacks is the massive public buzz surrounding names like Shakur Stevenson, Ryan Garcia, Teofimo Lopez, Conor Benn, or Keyshawn Davis. After Haney spent months on the sidelines following his win over Brian Norman Jr., this matchup becomes a much tougher sell.
The pair agreed to terms, according to The Ring’s Mike Coppinger on Thursday’s episode of Inside The Ring. The contest is set for the United States before the year wraps up, with the date and venue still to be determined.
Haney became a three-division champion on November 22 by defeating Norman for the WBO belt. That dominant outing built genuine momentum, making people eager to see his next move. Ending a lengthy layoff with Paro feels like a letdown compared to what the public wanted.
A showdown with Shakur would have delivered massive mainstream attention. Those talks collapsed over weight limits alongside rehydration terms. Paro stepped in as an alternate route to hardware while the Shakur grudge remains unsettled.
The Australian southpaw is not an easy mark. Paro defeated Lewis Crocker on June 24 to become a two-division champion himself. At 30 years old, he has built a three-fight winning streak since dropping his 140-pound belt to Richardson Hitchins in December 2024.
Paro rightfully earned his shot at a unification. The real issue is whether this pairing actually sustains the momentum Haney generated against Norman.
Stacking belts is entirely different from firing up the fanbase. Topping Paro gives Haney two titles at 147 pounds, handing him leverage for later negotiations. Even so, it keeps the marquee fights on hold.
Nobody questions Haney’s talent. The Norman victory proved his skill level against a dangerous puncher. The irritation comes from the extended inactivity paired with a safe commercial selection upon his return.
Paro brings real championship credentials. Yet after such a long wait, Haney might find that slapping the word “unification” on a marquee is not enough to ignite the crowd.