Liam Paro Faces Off Against Devin Haney Ahead of Title Unification Bout
Liam Paro squared off against Devin Haney during their first face-to-face encounter as both fighters prepare for a highly anticipated world title unification match in San Francisco.
The Australian IBF welterweight champion, Paro, is set to take on American star Haney, the WBO titleholder, on Saturday, December 19, with the time adjusted to Sunday, December 20, AEDT, at the Chase Center.
The two boxers were once sparring partners four years ago. Since then, Paro has experienced the highs and lows of boxing, winning and losing the IBF super lightweight title before moving up in weight to secure another championship.
Now recognized as a two-division champion, Paro approaches this matchup with a sense of confidence. However, his bold statements on social media have not gone unnoticed by Haney’s manager and trainer, Bill Haney, who expressed his discontent.
“Isn’t it interesting how when under the bright lights, you rethink all the things you’ve posted on social media?” Bill remarked, referencing Paro’s bravado. “The Rose brothers (Paro’s promoters) indicated a desire for this fight, but we’re not taking you lightly. Devin is ready to fight.”
Bill Haney also took issue with Paro’s previous comments suggesting that Richardson Hitchins, the only fighter to defeat him as a professional, had skills that exceeded those of Devin. In response, Paro remained steadfast in his opinion.
“I’ve said what I need to say. I stand behind my words. As Devin mentioned, we’ll settle this on December 19,” Paro asserted. “I tend to disrupt expectations, so I’m prepared for this challenge.”
Devin Haney was direct when assessing Paro’s development since their last sparring session, stating, “I believe he’s the same fighter I trained with back then. I plan to make him pay for his comments. I have to demonstrate that I’m a different fighter compared to Hitchins.”
Haney emphasized that he transforms into a stronger competitor when it counts the most: “Under those lights, I am a different individual.”
In rebuttal, Paro highlighted his significant victories against accomplished opponents, including Subriel Matias in a daunting environment and Lewis Crocker, as proof of his growth. “Four years is ample time to hone one’s craft,” he noted. “I’ve achieved two world titles and faced elite competition. I’m ready to prove him wrong.”
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