Haney Officially Set for Welterweight Unification Clash with Paro After Stevenson Negotiations Collapse

Devin Haney’s next opponent has been officially determined.

Haney last competed in November 2025, where he defeated Brian Norman Jr. via unanimous decision to capture the WBO welterweight championship.

Despite that impressive victory, “The Dream” has remained inactive in the ring for nearly a year.

His anticipated return was initially expected to come against fellow pound-for-pound competitor Shakur Stevenson, following recent negotiations between the camps.

Those plans were derailed when Stevenson departed from Zuffa Boxing and announced his intention to compete at 135lbs and 140lbs moving forward, while Haney has subsequently signed an exclusive agreement with DAZN.

The inaugural fight under that new deal has now been confirmed, with The Ring reporting that Haney will engage in a unification bout against IBF welterweight champion Liam Paro.

“Devin Haney will face Liam Paro in a WBO and IBF welterweight title unification fight on December 19th in San Francisco at Chase Center, sources tell The Ring’s @MikeCoppinger.”

Paro captured the title in June with a unanimous decision victory over Lewis Crocker in Australia, establishing himself as a two-weight world champion following his previous reign at 140lbs.

The winner of the Haney versus Paro contest will consolidate two world titles and potentially set up an undisputed championship showdown against the victor of the rumored WBC titleholder Ryan Garcia versus WBA titan Teofimo Lopez matchup.

A potential complication could arise as the WBA strap may not be available for that proposed fight due to ongoing mandatory challenger obligations involving Jack Catterall.

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