Devin Haney Lands Liam Paro Welterweight Unification in San Francisco
Haney's new DAZN deal launches with a WBO-IBF welterweight unification against the Australian on December 19 at Chase Center.
Devin Haney will open his new DAZN deal with a welterweight unification against Liam Paro on December 19 at Chase Center in San Francisco, per a report by Mike Coppinger of The Ring. The bout has not been officially announced.
The fight brings together two of the division's belt holders in what shapes up as one of the biggest welterweight matchups of the year. Haney, fighting in his Bay Area backyard, gets favorable positioning for what DAZN is clearly building as a signature event on the platform.
Paro earned his world title in June 2024 when he traveled to Puerto Rico and beat Subriel Matias by unanimous decision to claim the IBF light welterweight strap. The Australian has since moved up in weight and brings a proven willingness to fight on the road.
For Haney, San Francisco represents a homecoming of sorts. The Bay Area product has bounced between platforms over the past two years, and the DAZN partnership gives him a stable home with a debut fight that carries real stakes. A unification win would consolidate his position as the top welterweight in boxing.
Paro is a live underdog. He showed heart and skill beating Matias in hostile territory, and traveling to San Francisco is nothing compared to fighting in Puerto Rico. Haney's technical superiority on paper is clear, but Paro has the kind of pressure style that can make pretty boxers uncomfortable.
December 19 adds another major card to what is shaping up as one of the busiest stretches in recent boxing history, alongside Canelo vs. Mbilli and Fury vs. Joshua.
DAZN is giving Haney the star treatment right out of the gate. Chase Center, home turf, a unification fight, and the holiday season spotlight. Smart business for both sides. Haney gets to look like the A-side, and DAZN gets to launch their new deal with a belt fight in a premium venue.
Paro is no walkover, though. The kid went to Puerto Rico and beat the house fighter. That takes guts. He's going to push forward, make it ugly, and try to turn it into a war. Haney's job is to not let him. If Devin boxes like we know he can, this is a clear decision win. But if Paro can close the distance and make it physical, it gets interesting. I've got Haney by decision, but I wouldn't be shocked if the line tightens as fight week approaches.
