Devin Haney and Liam Paro Agree Welterweight Unification After Shakur Stevenson Talks Collapse

Months of tortured negotiations between Devin Haney and Shakur Stevenson are officially dead — and Haney has already found his replacement. Ring Magazine's Mike Coppinger reported on October 22 that Haney and Australia's Liam Paro have agreed to meet in a WBO and IBF welterweight unification bout in the United States before the end of 2026. The all-American superfight with Stevenson collapsed over weight terms: Stevenson demanded a catchweight of 144 or 145 pounds plus a rehydration clause, while Haney insisted on the full 147-pound welterweight limit. Stevenson later walked away from his promotional deal with Zuffa Boxing entirely. Paro, a 30-year-old southpaw from Mackay, Queensland, brings one of boxing's great underdog stories — a former electrical apprentice who once slept in his car, named "Carol," while chasing the sport. He claimed the IBF welterweight crown in June 2026 by outpointing Lewis Crocker, becoming the first Australian-born fighter since Jeff Fenech to win world titles in two divisions. His 28-1 record shows one defeat, a 2024 title loss to Richardson Hitchins. The bout marks Haney's first fight since beating Brian Norman in November 2025, and the winner lands in pole position to chase undisputed status against WBC holder Ryan Garcia and WBA champion Teofimo Lopez in 2027.