Australian two-division world champion Liam Paro has issued a direct challenge to both WBC welterweight titleholder Ryan Garcia and WBO welterweight champion Devin Haney, aiming for significant unification bouts in the 147lb division.
Paro, who currently holds the IBF welterweight title, explicitly stated on social media that he has accepted offers to fight both men, urging them to move past rhetoric and send him a contract.
Paro’s Bold Challenge to Welterweight Stars
His declaration, made via his X account on October 1, 2026, intensifies the race for supremacy in the welterweight landscape. It forces the hands of Garcia and Haney, both of whom have expressed strong desires to unify titles and establish themselves as the top fighter in the division for 2027.
Liam Paro’s message on X was unequivocal. Addressing past criticisms, he wrote, “Ryan Garcia says I’m “renting” the IBF belt, while Haney fans say I’m ducking Devin or pricing myself out.” Paro dismissed these claims, stating, “Here’s the truth — I’ve accepted BOTH fights. My team has been reasonable on the money and I’ll fight either man any day of the week.”
He underscored his credentials as “a proven two-division world champion” and left no doubt about his readiness, proclaiming, “Devin Haney — you want to unify? Let’s do it. Ryan Garcia — if I’m renting this belt, come and take the fucking keys. Enough talk. Send the contract. Pick the date. I’ll be there.” This direct call-out puts immense pressure on Garcia and Haney to respond.
The Drive for Welterweight Unification
The welterweight division is a hotbed of talent, and unification fights represent the pinnacle of competition. Fighters across various sanctioning bodies are vying for control, aiming to consolidate multiple belts. This pursuit isn’t new; the desire to hold undisputed status has long driven top contenders.
For Garcia and Haney, who have both held multiple titles across different weight classes, achieving undisputed status at welterweight would cement their legacies. The opportunity presented by Liam Paro offers a clear, albeit challenging, path towards that goal.
Ryan Garcia’s Current Path and Options
Ryan Garcia successfully defended his WBC welterweight world title last month, stopping Conor Benn in the second round in Las Vegas. His victory solidified his position in the division, but his future opponents have remained a topic of intense speculation.
Garcia has been linked to a potential clash with WBA titleholder Teofimo Lopez. However, that unification bout faces a hurdle, as Lopez has received an order to face Chorley’s Jack Catterall to retain his belt. This mandatory defense could push any Garcia-Lopez showdown into next year, if Lopez emerges victorious.
Beyond unification talks, Garcia has also been mentioned for a possible December bout against Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz, the reigning WBC super-lightweight interim champion. However, reports indicate that Garcia’s interest in that particular contest appears to be dwindling, perhaps swayed by the allure of a potential title unification.
Paro’s challenge, offering a direct route to another belt, could easily shift Garcia’s focus away from a non-title fight.
Devin Haney’s Quest for Another Undisputed Crown
Devin Haney, the current WBO welterweight champion, has a proven track record of unifying titles. He previously reigned as undisputed lightweight champion from 2022 to 2023 and held the WBC super-lightweight title from 2023 to 2024. His ambition to achieve undisputed status once again in the welterweight division is well-documented.
Talks for Haney to face Liam Paro just weeks ago for a unification seemed promising but ultimately collapsed. Paro’s renewed call-out, therefore, reopens a previously explored avenue for Haney. The Australian’s aggressive stance now puts the onus back on Haney to either re-engage or pursue other targets.
Haney’s most recent fight saw him capture the WBO welterweight title with a unanimous decision win over Brian Norman Jr. in November 2025, inside the ANB Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
He was also scheduled to face mandatory challenger Keyshawn Davis, but Davis withdrew, leaving Haney’s immediate next steps somewhat fluid, though he has a list of potential future opponents including Shakur Stevenson, Teofimo Lopez, Richardson Hitchins, and William Zepeda.
Liam Paro: A Champion’s Ascendance
Liam Paro isn’t new to the championship stage. He secured his current IBF welterweight title with a unanimous decision victory over Lewis Crocker in June. This win marked him as a two-division world champion, having also briefly held the IBF strap at super-lightweight in 2024. His professional record stands at 28 wins (16 by KO) and just 1 loss in 29 total fights.
Paro’s journey includes a significant win against Subriel Matias by unanimous decision on June 15, 2024, in Manatí, Puerto Rico, where he claimed the IBF junior welterweight title. He achieved this despite entering the fight as a significant underdog, a testament to his skill and determination.
Following that victory, Paro boldly declared himself “the captain” of the junior welterweights, inviting top names to “Come and get it” – a sentiment he now echoes with Garcia and Haney in the welterweight division.
Echoes of Past Challenges: Subriel Matias Sets a Precedent
The current call-out from Liam Paro resonates with similar challenges issued in the past, underscoring a competitive trend in boxing. Notably, Puerto Rican boxer Subriel Ahmed Matías Matthew, a former IBF and WBC super-lightweight champion, publicly challenged both Devin Haney and Ryan Garcia around January 7-8, 2024.
Matias, known for his aggressive style, holds a professional record of 23 wins (22 by KO) and 3 losses, and sought to unify belts and face top competition.
Matias’s challenge came during a period of uncertainty for Garcia, following what was termed the “Ryan Garcia Fight Fallout.” At the time, Devin Haney, then the WBC super-lightweight champion, also expressed interest in a unification bout with Matias, signaling a shared ambition among elite fighters to consolidate titles. Matias even specifically called out “Baby Haney,” pleading for the opportunity to fight him.
These earlier challenges by Matias highlight a consistent desire among champions to prove their dominance. Paro’s recent statement, therefore, isn’t an isolated incident but part of a broader pattern where champions actively pursue the biggest fights and the most prestigious belts.
The Stakes for Welterweight Superstardom
Unification bouts in boxing are more than just title fights; they are critical stepping stones to superstardom and lucrative paydays. For Ryan Garcia and Devin Haney, who are already prominent figures, adding another unified title would significantly enhance their marketability and solidify their positions as pound-for-pound elite fighters.
The welterweight division, traditionally one of boxing’s glamour divisions, offers a global stage for these high-stakes contests.
Liam Paro, by throwing his hat in the ring, is not only seeking to defend his IBF belt but also to elevate his own status by challenging two of boxing’s most talked-about names. His readiness to fight either man, and his blunt call for contracts, signals a no-nonsense approach that could expedite the matchmaking process.
Fans eagerly await to see if Garcia or Haney will take him up on his offer.
What Comes Next for the Welterweight Division?
The immediate future of the welterweight division now hinges on the responses from Ryan Garcia and Devin Haney. While Garcia has other potential opponents and Haney has recently seen talks collapse, Paro’s assertive challenge could reignite negotiations. Mandatory defenses, such as Teofimo Lopez’s against Jack Catterall, often dictate timelines, but the allure of a unification bout can sometimes override such obligations.
Boxing promoters will be weighing the commercial viability and competitive appeal of a Paro fight against other options for Garcia and Haney. A multi-belt unification offers a compelling narrative and a major event for the sport. The pressure is mounting for these top welterweights to deliver the high-profile matchups that fans demand, with Liam Paro now firmly positioning himself as a primary antagonist.
