A significant welterweight title unification is slated for Saturday, December 19, 2026, as WBO champion Devin Haney prepares to battle IBF titleholder Liam Paro. This high-stakes showdown, pitting two of the division’s top contenders against each other, will unfold at the Chase Center in San Francisco, California. Boxing fans can watch the event live on DAZN PPV.
The main event signifies a major homecoming for the undefeated Haney (33-0, 15 KOs), a San Francisco native who grew up in Oakland. He’ll defend his WBO welterweight title against the formidable Australian southpaw Paro (28-1, 16 KOs). The victor will claim both belts, moving a significant step closer to becoming the undisputed welterweight king.
Devin Haney embraces Bay Area homecoming
For Devin Haney, this upcoming fight transcends a mere title defense; it’s a profound opportunity to compete before his home crowd. “Oakland is where my story started, and the Bay Area has always been part of who I am,” Haney articulated. This marks his second appearance at the Chase Center, home to the Golden State Warriors.
He previously secured the WBC junior welterweight title there in December 2023, delivering a dominant performance against Regis Prograis. Now, he returns as a welterweight champion, intent on adding another world title to his growing collection. This bout is the first under his multi-fight agreement with DAZN, amplifying his presence on a major global platform.
“My resume speaks for itself,” Haney asserted, highlighting his consistent willingness to challenge champions on their home turf. He notably ventured to Australia to claim undisputed lightweight status against George Kambosos. “Now I’m bringing another Australian world champion, Liam Paro, into my backyard.”
Haney aims to become a unified champion at 147 pounds, confident his skills will prove too much for the Australian challenger. “I made history in Australia. Now it’s time to make history at home,” he declared, promising a memorable night for his loyal local supporters.
Paro ready to play the spoiler once again
While Devin Haney will undoubtedly benefit from the home crowd advantage, Liam Paro is certainly no stranger to fighting in hostile environments. The 30-year-old Australian has cultivated a reputation for embracing the underdog role and thriving under intense pressure. He’s confident he can once more defy expectations and upset the odds.
“I’ve never taken the easy road,” Paro explained, reflecting on his career trajectory. He famously traveled to Puerto Rico in 2024, where he defeated Subriel Matias to capture the IBF light welterweight title. “I went to Puerto Rico and took the title off Matias in front of his own people. Devin’s a great fighter, and I respect that.”
Paro shares a unique history with the San Francisco venue, having competed there previously. “Three years ago, I was on the undercard at Chase Center the night Devin fought Regis Prograis,” he recounted. “I said back then that ‘Haney versus Paro’ rolls off the tongue. Now it’s here. Champion versus champion, two belts on the line, in his backyard.”
After losing his 140-pound title to Richardson Hitchins in December 2024, Paro moved to welterweight. He secured the IBF welterweight crown on June 24, 2026, beating Lewis Crocker by unanimous decision in Brisbane. “December 19, I’m coming to unify the division and make more history,” Paro declared.
The road to a high-stakes welterweight showdown
Both fighters have navigated demanding paths to arrive at this significant unification bout. Haney, a former undisputed lightweight champion following his victory over Vasiliy Lomachenko in May 2023, has successfully ascended through three distinct weight classes. His journey, however, hasn’t been entirely without its share of controversy.
His April 2024 decision loss to Ryan Garcia was subsequently overturned and ruled a no-contest after Garcia failed a drug test. Haney quickly rebounded with a decisive victory over Jose Ramirez in May 2025. He then captured the WBO welterweight title from Brian Norman Jr. in November 2025, perfectly setting the stage for this impending unification fight.
Haney has consistently pursued the most challenging matchups, and this clash against a fellow champion aligns perfectly with that established pattern. Negotiations for a potential fight with Shakur Stevenson ultimately collapsed due to unresolved disagreements concerning weight and rehydration clauses, which opened the door for this compelling Paro matchup to be finalized.
He previously outpointed Vasiliy Lomachenko in a high-profile contest. Meanwhile, Vasiliy Lomachenko is set to fight for a vacant WBO title in another significant bout. Paro’s career trajectory is a testament to his resilience and determination.
The split-decision loss to Hitchins in late 2024 represented a clear setback, but he has since orchestrated an impressive turnaround, securing three consecutive victories.
His hard-fought win over Lewis Crocker for the IBF welterweight title vividly demonstrated his capacity to compete at the highest echelons of a new division, unequivocally proving his rightful place among the welterweight elite.
What this fight means for the division
The stakes for this forthcoming contest are undeniably immense. The triumphant fighter will walk away holding both the WBO and IBF welterweight titles, placing them just two belts shy of achieving undisputed champion status in one of boxing’s most celebrated divisions.
Todd duBoef, President of Top Rank, highlighted the significance, noting, “The historically prestigious welterweight division is heating up, and it all starts on December 19.”
This particular matchup represents a compelling clash of top-tier boxing talent and a pivotal moment for the future landscape of the welterweight division. George Rose, CEO of Paro’s promotional company, No Limit Boxing, expressed his views on the challenge ahead without reservation. “Devin Haney is the best welterweight in the world right now,” Rose stated.
“That’s exactly why Liam wants him. You don’t become the best by going around the best.”
Many within the boxing community view this unification bout as a crucial step towards establishing greater clarity at the pinnacle of the division. For Haney, a victory would unequivocally solidify his reputation as a multi-division star and a formidable pound-for-pound contender.
For Paro, an upset win would represent a career-defining moment, instantly elevating him to unified champion status and establishing him as a major force within the sport.
A stacked card in San Francisco
The event itself is a collaborative undertaking involving several prominent promotional companies, including Top Rank, Devin Haney Promotions, No Limit Boxing, and TGB Promotions. Bill Haney, Devin’s father and promoter, underscored their unwavering commitment to “bring meaningful, high-level fights to the sport.” He emphasized that the December 19 event perfectly embodies this mission.
The DAZN PPV broadcast, slated to commence at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT, will offer more than just the highly anticipated main event. The co-feature presents an intriguing 10-round welterweight bout between former world champion Brian Norman Jr. and two-time world title challenger Abel Ramos.
Additionally, two more fights are scheduled for the broadcast, ensuring a full and exciting evening of world-class boxing action.
With two welterweight world titles hanging in the balance and the potential for future undisputed glory at stake, the Devin Haney versus Liam Paro fight stands as one of the year’s most significant matchups. Boxing enthusiasts in the Bay Area and across the globe will be watching intently to witness who emerges as the unified champion.
