SAN FRANCISCO — Liam Paro has built his boxing career on proving people wrong, and the Australian southpaw believes he has another opportunity to do exactly that when he steps into the ring against Devin Haney.
Paro will face Haney on December 19 at Chase Center in San Francisco in a highly anticipated welterweight championship unification bout that will be streamed live on DAZN.
The 12-round showdown will feature Paro’s IBF welterweight championship against Haney’s WBO title, with the winner taking a significant step toward establishing himself as the division’s leading fighter.
For Paro, the matchup represents another opportunity to enter hostile territory and leave with a world championship. And if history is any indication, the 30-year-old Australian isn’t intimidated by the challenge.
“I’m ready to come in and shock the world again,” Paro said. “I tend to rain on parades, so I’m ready to go.”
Paro Embraces Underdog Role Against Haney
Paro (28-1, 16 KOs) knows what it’s like to enter a major championship fight with the odds stacked against him. In June 2024, he traveled to Puerto Rico to challenge then-IBF junior welterweight champion Subriel Matias.
Few expected Paro to defeat the hard-hitting Puerto Rican champion in his home territory. But Paro delivered one of the year’s most impressive upsets, using his boxing skills, discipline and movement to earn a unanimous decision victory.
That performance established Paro as a legitimate world-class fighter and demonstrated his ability to succeed under pressure. Now, more than two years later, he finds himself in a similar position.
Haney was born in San Francisco and raised in nearby Oakland, making the December 19 showdown a homecoming for the American champion. For Paro, fighting in Haney’s backyard is simply another opportunity to silence doubters.
“I’ll always back myself to the heels,” Paro said during Tuesday’s introductory press conference. “I’m used to being the underdog, and it’s less pressure on me, but this is as big as it gets.”
The Australian understands the significance of the challenge but believes his previous championship experiences have prepared him for the moment.
Haney Returns Following Extended Layoff
Another important factor heading into the unification bout is Haney’s inactivity. The WBO champion has not competed since his November victory over Norman.
Paro, meanwhile, enters the matchup following his June championship victory against Crocker. Although Haney has demonstrated his ability to perform under pressure throughout his career, extended layoffs can present challenges involving timing, conditioning and competitive rhythm.
Paro could attempt to take advantage by applying pressure early and forcing Haney into exchanges. However, Haney’s experience in championship fights and his ability to make adjustments remain significant advantages.
For both fighters, preparation will be critical. With two world titles on the line, neither can afford a slow start or prolonged stretches of inactivity.
Could the Winner Become the Face of the Welterweight Division?
The significance of the December 19 matchup extends beyond the two championship belts. With both fighters holding major world titles, the winner would emerge with considerable leverage in future negotiations and potential unification opportunities. Paro believes the matchup could help determine the division’s leading fighter.
“This is a fight that’s for the cookies, and look, the winner of this fight arguably could be the king of the welterweight division,” Paro said. “I believe this is the two best fighters here.”
Although other champions and contenders remain in the division, a victory would significantly strengthen either fighter’s position. For Haney, defeating Paro would add another championship to an already impressive résumé and further establish his success at 147 pounds.
For Paro, the opportunity is arguably even more transformative. A victory over Haney in San Francisco would provide another signature road win and demonstrate that his upset of Matias was not an isolated achievement. It would also make him a unified champion in a second weight class.
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Robert LaMar is a Deputy Editor for Dice City Sports. You can follow him on X via @RobertLaMar26
