Devin Haney leaked an old video clip on X, showing him sparring former IBF light welterweight champion Liam Paro, which was pretty one-sided.
This move by Haney (31-0, 15 KOs) appears to be a transparent attempt to show he is a superior fighter than Richardson Hitchins (19-0, 7 KOs), who is getting a lot of favorable attention from the boxing world after his victory over Paro (25-1, 15 KOs) last Saturday night in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Haney’s indirect challenge
By showing that he was more skilled than Paro, Haney was able to generate interest in a potential fight between him and Hitchins. If it does happen, it should probably be at 147 without Hitchins’ IBF title on the line due to the 10-lb rehydration rule.
The timing of Haney posting the old sparring video of him dominating Paro can be seen as a way exclaim indirectly Richardson without actually doing it. It would be better if Haney challenged him live, but this is a sly way to build interest in a fight between them by showing fans that he picked up the fighter Hitchins beat last Saturday.
Considering the recently beaten Haney (31-0, 15 KOs) and his father, Bill Haney, are interested in a lucrative rematch with Ryan Garcia in 2025, the sparring video leak could be a cheap way for Devin to stay in the news without risking his skin to get in the ring. Haney seems to be trying to show people how talented he is.
Knowing how much money Dev could make fighting Garcia in a rematch, it would be insane to take a risky fight against Hitchins and lose like Paro did last weekend. Richardson’s speed, power and punching accuracy would be major problems for Haney.
Hitchins outlasted Paro, beating him by a 12-round split decision in a DAZN headliner on promoter Eddie Hearn’s card. The performance by Brooklyn, New York native Richardson saw him take over the #1 spot in the 140-lb class.
Old files.. me & Paro… I think he will be Champion again one day. pic.twitter.com/eTw5iFqvBx
— Devin Haney (@Realdevinhaney) December 9, 2024
