Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn has set his sights on a potential unification fight between IBF champion Liam Paro and WBC champion Devin Haney at 140. However, there are several obstacles that need to be addressed before this fight can become a reality.
One major obstacle is the mandatory challengers for both fighters. Haney faces a mandatory defense against Sandor Martin, while Paro has his own mandatory challenger in Richardson Hitchinson. These mandatory defenses can be problematic, as they may need to be worked around either by paying step-aside fees or petitioning the IBF and WBC for an exception to allow the unification fight to take place.
Another issue is the IBF’s 10-pound rehydration limit, which could pose a significant challenge for Haney. This limit would prevent Haney from rehydrating to his usual fighting weight after weigh-ins, potentially leaving him drained and vulnerable in the ring. Overcoming this weight restriction could prove to be a difficult task for Haney, and it may impact his performance against Paro.
One of the biggest challenges in making the Haney-Paro unification fight a reality lies in the financial concerns and market appeal of the bout. Bill Haney, Devin’s father and manager, is reportedly keen on having his son involved in high-profile pay-per-view fights that generate significant revenue.
A fight between Haney and Paro may not be appealing to the U.S. boxing audience, as Paro is relatively unknown outside of Australia. This lack of market appeal could result in poor pay-per-view sales and ultimately hurt Haney’s bargaining power for future fights against more well-known opponents such as Gervonta Davis, Teofimo Lopez, Isaac Cruz, or Ryan Garcia.
Despite these challenges, Liam Paro recently claimed the IBF 140-pound title by defeating Surbriel Matias in Puerto Rico. Paro’s victory was unexpected, as he managed to outpoint Matias with a strategy that involved excessive holding and tying up his opponent throughout the fight. While effective, Paro’s style was criticized by some fans for making the bout less entertaining to watch.
The road to unifying the light welterweight division is paved with obstacles that must be overcome. From mandatory challengers and rehydration limits to financial concerns and market appeal, there are several factors that could potentially derail the proposed fight between Devin Haney and Liam Paro.
While the potential for a unification fight is exciting for boxing fans, it is important to address these challenges in order to ensure a successful and marketable event. Only time will tell if Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn and the respective teams of Haney and Paro can navigate these obstacles and make the fight a reality.