Liam Paro's next fight is scheduled for December in Australia, possibly against Devin Haney

Liam Paro's next fight is scheduled for December 7 in Australia, with Devin Haney as a potential opponent. Australia's newly crowned world champion is expected to make his first title defense on his homecoming in Brisbane, Sydney or Adelaide.

Undefeated super lightweight Paro (25-0, 15 KOs) won the IBF belt in Puerto Rico in June, where he defeated Subriel Matias by unanimous decision. According to Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn, the 28-year-old southpaw from Mackay, Queensland, would “love” to face Haney (31-0, 15 KOs) next.

Haney, the former undisputed lightweight champion from San Francisco who also held the WBC 140-pound belt, last fought Ryan Garcia in Brooklyn in April. The latter was declared the winner by decision, but that victory was later voided due to a failed drug test.

The Australian public knows Devin Haney from his two fights against George Kambosos Jr. in Melbourne in 2022. The following year he defeated Vasyl Lomachenko and Regis Prograis.

“It’s a good fight [against Liam Paro]. Devin believes he can win this fight,” Eddie Hearn said, as reported by BoxingScene. “Of course he can come back. He's on a break from the WBC right now, so it's a unification/regaining of a title. [bout].

“It's a fight that Liam would like as well. Devin has built a good reputation in Australia with these two Kambosos fights, so it could be an option. I've spoken to him [Thursday] night, and he says if the deal is right, I don't think he would have a problem going.”

“The plan for Liam Paro is to fight in Australia on December 7th”

“The plan for Liam Paro is to fight in Australia on December 7th. That is the goal. We are in talks with various state governments to hold Liam Paro's fight. Brisbane, Sydney and Adelaide.”

Hearn also said Paro could face the winner of the postponed Jack Catterall-Regis Prograis fight on Oct. 26 in Manchester, England. The former undisputed 140-pound title challenger from Great Britain and NOLA's two-time super lightweight champion were originally scheduled to face each other in August, but the contest was postponed due to an injury to the host country's representative.

“There is still a chance [the opponent] could be the winner of Catterall-Prograis, but that's unlikely given the timing. I'd still like to see a fight between Devin Haney and Paro, or if not, another challenger in the division.”

“I like the Kambosos fight. Obviously it's two Australians. Kambosos has been in the lightweight division for a long time. That's a fight that could make sense. No big discussions, but it would be an interesting fight.”

Hearn also said the Australian card could feature Brit Johnny Fisher as well as Australian champions Jai Opetaia and Skye Nicolson and Justis Huni.