Promoter Eddie Hearn says he’s interested in potentially making a unification in Australia between newly crowned IBF light welterweight champion Liam Paro and WBC champ Devin Haney following Paro’s 12-round unanimous decision victory over champion Subriel Matias last Saturday night at the Coliseo Juan Aubin Cruz Abreu in Manati, Puerto Rico.
A fight between Paro and Haney would make much money in Australia, where it could fill a stadium and be sold on PPV. Haney made a lot of money facing former unified lightweight champion George Kambosos Jr., and Australian, in that country.
Paro’s Upset Victory Over Matias
Paro used a punch-and-grab style to neutralize IBF light welterweight champion Subriel Matias’ offense last Saturday night. It wasn’t the most entertaining fight to watch due to Paro’s constant holding, but he won, and there’s no rematch clause.
Hearn said Matias could move up to 147 now because he looked slightly drained at 140. He looked fine, but the holding and wrestling that Paro was doing all night tired Matias out. Paro was diving forward to hold after virtually every punch and grabbing Matias when he would get near enough to land.
When Paro held Matias, he would get low, push him to the ropes, and lean on him. Paro’s holding drained Matias like a battery, wearing him down, as it would any fighter being clinched that frequently. It was very boring to watch the fight, but it was the only way Paro could fight Matias because he wouldn’t have been able to beat him without the holding.
A Potential Haney vs. Paro Showdown
While U.S. fans wouldn’t be excited about paying to see Haney fight Liam Paro on DAZN PPV, the Australians will eagerly purchase that fight. U.S. fans want to see Haney fight Ryan Garcia again, Isaac Cruz, or Teofimo Lopez.
Unfortunately for Hearn, Paro is not high on the list if he’s considering matching Haney against him next for DAZN PPV. If the Australian PPV money makes it worthwhile for Haney to fight Paro, that would be a good option because it’s a more winnable fight for Devin than if he fought the hard-hitting Teofimo or Pitbull Cruz.
The only thing Haney would have to worry about fighting Liam Paro is being worn down from all the holding he does. He’s a hugger, but so is Haney, so it’s all good.
Paro is similar to Haney in that he holds a great deal, so a clash between them would be interesting. Liam would be a mirrored image of Haney in terms of the frequent clinching, making it fun to see which one can land enough punches between the holding to win a decision.
Obstacles to Overcome
Hearn didn’t say what will happen to Haney’s overdue WBC mandatory Sandor Martin, who he’s supposed to face next. Will Haney give Martin a step aside or will Hearn ask the World Boxing Council for an exception to allow Devin to fight IBF champion Paro (25-0, 15 KOs) in a unification? It will need to be decided if the Haney vs. Paro fight is to happen next.
Paro has his IBF mandatory defense against Richardson Hitchins, which he will either need to take or give him a step aside. That further complicates Hearn’s plans to make a lucrative fight between Paro and Haney in Australia.
“He toughed it out. Afterward, he said he was very heavy-handed. He has to go to the hospital. He has a cauliflower ear that needs to be drained,” said promoter Eddie Hearn to Matchroom Boxing, talking about Liam Paro needing to go to the hospital after his upset win over IBF light welterweight champion Subriel Matias last Saturday night in Puerto Rico.
“He was getting hit on the sides of his head, and he was getting hit to the body as well,” Hearn continued about Paro. “He stuck in there. What he didn’t do was capitulate. He didn’t just move. He stood his ground, and he threw back.”
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