Devin Haney vs Liam Paro Welterweight Unification Agreed for Late 2026

Devin Haney has agreed to face Liam Paro in a WBO and IBF welterweight unification bout before the end of the year in the United States, per Mike Coppinger of The Ring. The date and venue have not been confirmed.

Haney, the WBO welterweight champion, has been inactive since a November 2025 victory over Brian Norman. A planned clash with Shakur Stevenson was scrapped, leaving Haney without a dance partner for most of 2026. Paro provides a path to a second belt and keeps Haney's name in the conversation at 147 pounds.

Paro carries the IBF title but his stock took a hit with a split decision loss to Richardson Hitchins in December 2024, when Hitchins took his 140-pound belt. Boxing News 24 argued that Hitchins's jab-heavy, distance-controlling performance against Paro is a blueprint Haney can follow.

The stylistic matchup favors Haney. He is one of the best pure boxers in the sport, comfortable fighting at range and controlling tempo. Paro needs to cut off the ring and attack the body to have any chance, but that is easier said than done against someone with Haney's footwork.

With the Stevenson fight dead, this is the best available option for Haney to stay relevant heading into 2027. A win sets up bigger unification talks at welterweight.