Devin Haney is searching for a new opponent for his first welterweight title defense after negotiations for a proposed unification bout with Rolando Romero officially broke down.
Haney, the reigning WBO welterweight champion, has not fought since defeating Brian Norman Jr. in November to become a three-division world champion. A return had been targeted for May 30 against WBA titleholder Romero, but discussions between the two camps failed to reach an agreement.
Romero publicly confirmed the collapse of talks, launching a strong verbal attack on Team Haney and dismissing any chance of revisiting the fight. “It is dead. There is no if, and or buts about it, it is dead. It is done,” he said, while accusing Haney’s side of being deceitful throughout negotiations.
With that option off the table, Haney is now left to explore alternative opponents as he prepares to defend his title. At the same time, Romero will also move in a different direction, with both fighters expected to pursue separate paths rather than a unification clash.
Plans for a long-discussed rematch between Haney and Ryan Garcia also appear delayed, as Garcia is expected to face Conor Benn in a mandatory WBC title defense.
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