RUMOR Devin Haney reportedly to face Liam Paro Dec. 19 after DAZN deal, Stevenson fight dead

Devin Haney has a new promotional home and, according to The Ring, a first opponent. Sources told the outlet's Mike Coppinger that Haney will face IBF welterweight champion Liam Paro in a title unification on Dec. 19 at Chase Center in San Francisco. Nothing has been officially announced.

The fight follows DAZN's announcement of an exclusive multi-fight deal with Haney, who holds the WBO belt. The signing came as a proposed fight with Shakur Stevenson fell by the wayside. Haney said the agreement removes any doubt about his ability to make the major fights in boxing, and a DAZN executive said the company expects the deal to bring marquee matchups.

The Paro fight would end a long layoff. Haney last fought in November 2025, when he beat Brian Norman Jr by unanimous decision to win the WBO title. By December he would be close to a year out of the ring, which Boxing News and Bad Left Hook both pointed to as a concern.

Paro arrives as a two-weight champion. He won the IBF belt in June with a unanimous decision over Lewis Crocker in Australia, having previously held a world title at 140 pounds. The winner would hold two welterweight belts and could look toward an undisputed fight with the winner of a rumoured bout between WBC champion Ryan Garcia and WBA champion Teofimo Lopez. Boxing News cautions the WBA belt may not be at stake in that fight because of the situation involving mandatory challenger Jack Catterall.

Stevenson's path has split from Haney's. Our records show he left Zuffa Boxing without a fight and is a free agent. Dana White says he offered the release, while Stevenson says he asked for it. Promoter Eddie Hearn is pushing a Dalton Smith fight, and Top Rank has reportedly asked the WBO to name Raymond Muratalla Stevenson's mandatory challenger at 140 pounds.

Watch for DAZN or the promoters to confirm the date and venue, and for any word on whether the fight is made as reported.