Haney Confirms Romero Unification Talks
WBC light-welterweight champion Devin Haney has confirmed talks for a unification bout with WBA champion Rolando 'Rolly' Romero at welterweight, as a WBA mandatory is also looming. This comes after social media beef between Romero and Haney, with Romero accusing Haney of dodging a contract while Haney dismissed it laughingly.
The proposed unification bout between Devin Haney and Rolando Romero is complicated by Romero's mandatory title defense obligations. The WBA is expected to order a purse bid for Romero to defend his welterweight title against undefeated Uzbekistani contender Shakhram Giyasov. However, sanctioning body rules typically allow a unification fight to take precedence over a mandatory defense, which could delay the Giyasov bout if Haney and Romero come to an agreement. A fight between Haney and Romero would take place at welterweight, a division where Haney is not currently a champion. Haney holds the WBC title at light-welterweight (140 pounds), while Romero holds the WBA belt at welterweight (147 pounds). This matchup would be for Romero's WBA welterweight title. The backdrop to these negotiations includes both fighters' recent encounters with Ryan Garcia. Romero is coming off a significant unanimous decision victory over Garcia in May 2025, a fight that earned him the WBA welterweight title. Haney, on the other hand, fought Garcia in April 2024, initially losing a majority decision in a bout where he was knocked down three times. That result was later overturned to a no-contest after Garcia tested positive for a banned substance. Romero's mandatory challenger, Shakhram Giyasov, is an accomplished and undefeated fighter with a record of 17 wins and no losses. An Olympic silver medalist, Giyasov also won gold at the 2017 AIBA World Boxing Championships. His amateur pedigree and professional record present a significant challenge in the welterweight division.
