Eddie Hearn views Devin Haney as a massive favorite against Liam Paro, questioning how the IBF welterweight champion can beat him if their proposed unification goes forward.
Haney holds the WBO title at 147 pounds. He has targeted Paro’s IBF belt, and while Paro wants the fight too, financial terms remain an issue.
Hearn feels Paro has good reason to demand a major payday because of the stylistic matchup.
“You make Devin a very, very big favorite. Liam’s a great fighter, no disrespect. But Devin is a very, very, very good accomplished fighter with lots of experience,” Hearn said to the Punch podcast.
“Liam would be in the fight, but I would be shocked if he was to win that fight. He doesn’t have the power to hurt Devin, not going to outbox him, as good a boxer as Liam is. Do you know what I mean?”
That is the problem Paro faces. His boxing ability has taken him to titles in two divisions, but trying to win a technical fight against Haney may leave him competing where the WBO champion is most comfortable.
Paro isn’t known as a heavy puncher either. He has 16 knockouts in 28 victories, so his best chance may require applying enough pressure to prevent Haney from controlling the action from the outside.
Hearn believes those difficulties explain why Paro wants substantial compensation before putting his IBF title on the line.
“That’s probably why he’s after all these millions to make the fight because it’s likely he’ll lose and then he’s beltless. Whereas at the moment he can defend the belt in Australia and make a nice few quid,” Hearn said.
“The risk has got to be worth the reward. So that’s how the game works.”
From Paro’s position, the calculation makes sense. He can defend his IBF belt in Australia for solid money or accept a more lucrative unification against an opponent Hearn believes has significant advantages.
Hearn’s advice was simple: make sure the Haney fight pays an “absolute fortune.” Otherwise, he believes Paro should defend his title in Australia.
Haney-Paro offers both champions the chance to leave with two welterweight belts. Hearn sees the reward for Paro, but he sees few ways for him to actually beat Haney.
