Liam Paro’s reported $1.73 million asking price was more than Devin Haney wanted to pay for a welterweight unification. The figure offers an explanation for why talks failed to produce a fight between the two champions.
Paro would have brought his IBF belt into a contest with WBO champion Haney. That gave Haney an opportunity to collect another title, but the sides still needed to agree on the cost of making it happen.
Australian journalist Peter Badel described Paro’s financial expectations in comments reported by EverythingBoxing, which credited @JaiMcAllisterx.
“Liam Paro — a little bit has gone quiet there. Look, I’ve been talking to his team. They’ve been a little bit frustrated. They’re trying to get the right fight at the right price for Liam,” Badel said, as quoted by EverythingBoxing.
“I’m told he was seeking around 2.5 million Australian dollars [$1.73 million US] for a fight against Haney. Haney didn’t want to pay him that amount.”
EverythingBoxing identified the comments as being eight days old. Badel’s account gives Paro’s reported asking price without revealing Haney’s offer or how far apart the sides were.
Haney’s position involves more than choosing his next opponent. He operates Devin Haney Promotions and has worked through co-promotional agreements, giving him a business interest in the cost of putting a fight together.
Another championship gives Haney something to pursue, but his side must also decide whether an opponent’s price fits the event’s budget. Paro has his own title to bring to negotiations and a financial return he wants from risking it.
The reported $1.73 million request alone does not establish that Paro priced himself out. Equally, declining that figure does not establish that Haney wanted to avoid him.
The missing piece is the counteroffer. Without knowing what Haney’s side offered, it is difficult to judge whether Paro’s expectations prevented an agreement or whether the available money simply fell below his price.