Haney Confirms Paro Unification Before Year's End

Devin Haney has reportedly agreed to face Liam Paro in a welterweight unification bout before the end of 2026.

According to Mike Coppinger, the WBO and IBF champions have agreed to meet on U.S. soil by December, bringing an end to what Bad Left Hook described as Haney's often frustrating search for his first welterweight title challenger. Haney, who took the WBO strap from Brian Norman Jr last November, has not fought in nearly a year after failed negotiations with both Keyshawn Davis and Shakur Stevenson.

Why The Haney-Paro Deal Came Together

Davis turned down a reported $2.14 million to challenge Haney earlier this year, opting instead to pursue Richardson Hitchins. A later attempt to negotiate with Stevenson fell apart after what Bad Left Hook called an "interminably nitpicky series" of back-and-forth social media exchanges over weight allowances and purse splits. Recent revelations following Stevenson's exit from Zuffa suggest the two-time Olympian's financial demands contributed to those talks collapsing.

Paro brings a 28-1 record and the IBF belt he won by upsetting Subriel Matias in Puerto Rico in 2024. The Australian lost the 140-pound strap to Hitchins in his first defense but has since rebounded at welterweight, defeating David Papot and Lewis Crocker to claim the IBF title at 147. Bad Left Hook credited his willingness to travel and face difficult styles as a standout trait in the current era.

No venue or exact date has been announced, though both camps are reportedly working toward a December card.

Reported via:

• Bad Left Hook — Devin Haney vs Liam Paro unification by year’s end reportedly agreed