What’s next for Devin Haney?

Devin Haney’s new status as the WBO welterweight champ following his surgical takedown of Brian Norman Jr. has set up big plans for 2026. His career was on the line as allegations of being a “shot fighter” surrounded him like flies around a carcass, but he took on the hardest bout available and is on his way back to the top. 

Despite Conor Benn’s insolence ringside and former partner Eddie Hearn, also the chairman of Matchroom Sport, trying to steal headlines in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, belittling his work post-fight, it was Haney’s first real step in getting respect back from peers and the public. His reputed “pillow fists” were as fast as ever and had enough pop to drop Norman, leaving him with a confused and embarrassed expression for failing to deliver on his promise to wound Haney. 

The champ is ready to take on anyone, yet a rematch with Ryan Garcia is irresistible. They have unfinished business in the wake of the tainted first match, in which Garcia tested positive for Ostarine, a banned substance that stimulates muscle growth. He was also overweight, which cost him the chance to earn the WBC super lightweight title, regardless of whether he won, before anyone knew he had a separate advantage, but Haney accepted payment for that missed prerequisite.

The once-suspended pugilist also has questions about how good he is, and says he’s going to fight WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios first. Claiming that belt would add extra credibility to a rematch by making it a unification, but it’s no guarantee for either man. Don’t forget that Garcia was ordinary on weight without PEDs, and Barrios didn’t have enough horsepower to beat 46-year-old Manny Pacquiao, as they went to a draw in July. Barrios is  decent but not the fighter he once was and hasn’t been since a brutal fade with Gervonta “Tank” Davis in 2021, in which he was stopped in round 11.

Assuming Garcia gets by Barrios and doesn’t blow the loot again by getting upset, like he was against Rolando  “Rolly” Romero in May, it will be his opportunity to rebuild his reputation from being a dirty fighter, too. Even with the facts against him, that reality still bothers Garcia, as evidenced by his taking personal shots at respected boxing journalist Dan Rafael for posting about his misdeeds.  

He’s lucky he didn’t have to earn the fight, and that Haney wants to punish him badly enough. One thing’s for sure: if Garcia gives us sloppy seconds from his fight with Romero, there’s no telling how his career will resuscitate. Still, as much as he probably has the underhand, Haney still has to prove he can take a hurtful shot to the mouth because Norman didn’t make it clear. Perhaps Romero can risk his WBA belt and oblige, keeping both of them busy, because Haney’s father Bill, mentioned him as a desired next opponent and that confrontation is no easy work. 

Additionally, a clash with Romero would give Haney some more rounds to get back to form. He could use them, as there were moments he took his foot off the gas against Norman.  

Haney and Garcia split six amateur fights and the former became a champion in a third division as a pro on Nov. 22 (lightweight, super lightweight and welterweight), while the latter has never been at the top. Their names will be tied together forever, so hopefully Part Two gets made, and it’s worth remembering.