WBO welterweight world champion Devin Haney is yet to fight this year and is now on the lookout for an opponent for a first defence of his 147lb crown, after negotiations for his touted unification fight have collapsed.
Haney dethroned Brian Norman Jr back in November to become a three-division world champion but ‘The Dream’ has not fought since, as fans continue to demand a rematch with bitter rival Ryan Garcia.
Yet, plans for that fierce grudge match look to have been put on ice in favour of Garcia’s mandatory defence against Conor Benn, with that fight expected to take place in August for what will be Garcia’s first defence of the WBC title.
Meanwhile, Haney had been in talks for a different title unification against WBA titleholder Rolando ‘Rolly’ Romero, with a mooted fight date of Saturday, May 30.
However, speaking to Fight Hub TV, Romero ruled that fight out, as he fumed at Team Haney for being ‘deceitful’ during negotiations.
“They were just lying the whole time. They said that I sent them a great offer, did they not? They said all of the stuff was right but they wanted a way out because Devin doesn’t have a chin. They like to waste people’s time.”
“Those guys are deceitful, they lie non-stop. Every thing that Devin and Bill touch gets shattered. Every promotional company, every thing, because they do not do anything. They cannot generate views, they cannot generate income for anybody and they know that.
“So, they didn’t want to bet on themselves because they know that they are not worth anything. I never want to hear them call me out again or bring me up or any of that stuff. It is dead. There is no if, and or buts about it, it is dead. It is done.”
As a result, both Haney and Romero will now be pursuing alternative options, faced with defending their belts rather tha unifying.