For former undisputed lightweight champion Devin Haney, 2024 has been a rollercoaster so far. He began the calendar as a pound-for-pound contender and super lightweight champion, but now has no belt despite his undefeated record. Although he has stated that he would take a break from boxing and sit out the rest of the year, it looks like Haney will return and jump in at the deep end.
Haney moved up to 140 pounds after winning the lightweight title and made a phenomenal impression in his debut at that weight class, defeating Regis Prograis to become the WBC champion of that weight class. Just a few months later, Haney faced one of the most famous names in boxing, Ryan Garcia, but the fight did not go according to plan.
Garcia missed weight but still dominated proceedings without the incentive of becoming champion, knocking Haney down three times before raising his hand. However, it was later revealed that “King Ry” had failed a drug test on the day of the weigh-in and the day of the fight – forever tarnishing his best performance to date.
Consequently, the result of the fight was overturned and Haney’s score was restored to zero. However, he decided to take a break and thus became the WBC’s “champion in recess” while Alberto Puello took his position as WBC champion.
Just two months after that decision, Haney now appears ready to put the complications of this year behind him and put his controversy with Garcia behind him. Eddie Hearn told Boxing Scene that he is trying to set up a showdown between Haney and IBF super lightweight champion Liam Paro in Paro’s native Australia.
“It’s a good fight. Devin believes he can win this fight. Of course he can come back. He’s on a break from the WBC right now, so it’s about unification/regaining a title (fight).
“It’s a fight that Liam would like as well. Devin has built a good reputation in Australia through the two Kambosos fights, so it could be an option. I spoke to him (Thursday) night and he says if the deal is right, he would have no problem with it.
“The plan for Liam Paro is to fight in Australia on December 7th. That is the goal. We are in talks with various state governments to hold Liam Paro’s fight. Brisbane, Sydney and Adelaide.
“There’s still a chance (the opponent) could be the winner of (Jack) Catterall-(Regis) Prograis, but that’s unlikely given the timing. I’d still like to see a fight between Devin Haney and Paro, or, if not, another challenger in the division.”
As Hearn points out, this is the third time in as many years that Haney has fought Down Under, having dominated George Kambosos Jr. twice to first become undisputed champion and then defend that status in a similarly one-sided rematch.
Given Haney’s loss in his last appearance and Paro’s career-best win over Subriel Matias, we could see a more exciting clash this time around, with the Australian facing a difficult homecoming and first title defense.
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