Devin Haney’s first fight under his new DAZN deal comes with home comforts and a second welterweight title within reach. Liam Paro has been given the job of ruining the party.
Haney and Paro will meet in a WBO and IBF unification on December 19 at Chase Center in San Francisco, according to Mike Coppinger of The Ring. The fight has yet to be officially announced.
The setting favors Haney, who returns to the Bay Area for a major fight built around his new broadcast partnership. For Paro, it means traveling from Australia to face a champion who should have the crowd behind him.
Haney’s supporters shouldn’t assume the trip will bother the IBF champion. Paro went to Puerto Rico in 2024 and took Subriel Matias’ light welterweight title by unanimous decision. He walked into the champion’s backyard, ignored the noise and left with the belt.
Still, Haney offers a different kind of fight. Matias came forward and gave Paro chances to punch with him. Haney can stay outside, use his jab and make Paro chase him around the ring.
That could put Paro in a difficult position if he allows Haney to set the pace. He’ll need to cut off the ring, attack the body, and make Haney work when they get close. Following him in straight lines would give Haney the space to pick up points.
Haney, meanwhile, has a chance to show what DAZN is buying. A win would give him two of the four major welterweight titles and put him in a stronger position for bigger fights. But if he spends the night tying Paro up and doing just enough to bank rounds, the home crowd may leave with little reason to get excited about the next event.
Paro has already shown he can beat a champion on the road. Haney’s task is to make sure San Francisco doesn’t become another stop on that list.
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