Devin Haney leaked an old video clip to X, showing him beating former IBF light welterweight champion Liam Paro in sparring, which was one-sided.
This move by Haney (31-0, 15 KOs) seems to be an obvious attempt to show that he is the strongest fighter. Richardson Hitchins (19-0, 7 KOs), who is getting good attention in 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 talented than Paro, Haney could create interest in a possible fight between him and Hitchins. If it does, it probably needs to be at 147 without Hitchins’ IBF title in jeopardy due to the 10-lb rehydration rule.
The time Haney posted an old video of his sparring with Paro can be seen as a way he shouted incoherently Richardson without doing that. It would be better if Haney challenged him directly, but this is a clever way to create interest in the fight between them by showing the fans that he stopped 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 video leak that could be the cheapest way for Devin to stay in the headlines without risking getting into the ring. It looks like Haney is trying to show people how talented he is.
Knowing how much money Dev could make fighting Garcia in the tournament, it would be crazy to take a risky fight against Hitchins and lose like Paro did last weekend. Richardson’s speed, power, and punch accuracy could be major problems for Haney.
Hitchins outlasted Paro, beating him by a 12-round split decision on the DAZN title on promoter Eddie Hearn’s card. Brooklyn, New York native Richardson’s performance showed that he has taken 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
