Eddie Hearn Says Bill Haney Approached Him About Devin Haney–Lewis Crocker Unification

Eddie Hearn didn’t bother dressing it up. Bill Haney came looking for Lewis Crocker, and everybody in the room knew why. Devin Haney wants another belt at 147. Crocker has an IBF strap and no reason to undersell himself. That’s the game.

Hearn told media that Bill approached him about a unification, and he’s happy to deal. When Hearn is relaxed like this, it usually means the risk-to-reward math is clean. Crocker is a viable belt holder, not a nightmare stylistically, and he brings an IBF title that could turn Haney into a two-belt operator at welter. That matters when you’re negotiating with sharks at 147.

“When Bill wants something, he’s the nicest man in the world. He wants to fight Lewis Crocker,” Hearn said, hitting the point without fuss.

Why Haney suddenly wants Crocker

Crocker’s belt gives Haney an accessible route to legitimacy in a division full of headaches. Rolly Romero won’t entertain him. Mario Barrios has Ryan Garcia in February. The PBC-controlled end of the weight class is locked behind politics or paydays. Crocker, on the other hand, is promotable, beatable on paper, and happy to talk.

Haney’s team sees it as unification opportunity, not an Olympic trial. Beat Crocker, grab the IBF, and you control the negotiation table for 2026. That includes any Garcia rematch or a position to bully reluctant champions.

Hearn’s recount of the encounter says everything about the way business really works:

“‘Hi Bill, you’re going to ask me if you can fight Lewis Crocker.’
‘Oh, no. I just wanted to see you.’
‘Bill, cut the crap.’”

Haney wants in. Crocker wants the payday. Nobody is pretending otherwise.

Crocker’s position just improved

Hearn claims three or four other names have approached him about Crocker. He didn’t reveal them, which usually means either negotiations are too soft to leak, or the names aren’t flattering enough yet. But the interest signals one thing: Crocker can wait for the best bidding war, fight in March or April, and cash properly.

That IBF belt has turned him into the division’s easiest champion to reach. That does not mean easiest to beat. It means easiest to sign.

Haney grabbing a second belt at welterweight would up-arm him for every future conversation. It’s how you build bargaining power before chasing a Ryan Garcia rematch. And Hearn won’t undersell the asset. Crocker is undefeated, violent, and willing.

Haney may think the shortcut runs through Belfast. Crocker’s job now is to make sure the shortcut costs elite money.