According to his father and coach, Bill Haney, Devin Haney will have a chance to add another stripe to his collection this May.

The 27-year-old became a three-weight world champion last November, winning the WBO title in his welterweight debut against hard-hitting Brian Norman Jr.

Haney seems like a good fit for the 147-pound scene not only because of his natural size, but also because the division features a lot of substantial names and tough challenges – something the pound-for-pound star has taken on in recent years.

While the rematch with Ryan Garcia, who recently won the WBC title to make the unification happen, remains one of the biggest fights in boxing, Haney will instead be looking to win another belt before that happens.

Bill, talking to Fighting the noiseconfirmed that talks with Rolando Romero have ended.

“Devin’s gonna put it on his ass, May [30th]Las Vegas. You heard it from me.

“Rolly” Romero – who won the WBA regular belt last year by defeating Garcia and was promoted to full champion following the firing of Jaron Ennis – recently confirmed the same details but was not hopeful about making a deal.

It would be complex to argue that Romero is at the same skill level as Haney, but he brings power to the table and the intriguing factor of holding on to a victory over Garcia, whom he defeated once before earning a unanimous decision victory.

Although Haney warned fans that the triangle theory did not apply to boxing, he would be reminded in the build-up to the fight that while “Rolly” soundly defeated Garcia, Haney was knocked down by him three times. An important caveat is that Garcia will later fail a doping test and his victory will be invalidated.

Ryan Garcia’s father, Henry Garcia, believes his son still has the advantage in boxing’s biggest potential rematch, despite Devin Haney’s camp saying otherwise.

During a recent interview discussing the ongoing disputes surrounding Garcia and Haney’s sequel, Henry rejected the idea that Haney should control the terms of any deal. In his opinion, the deciding factor is straightforward: Ryan Garcia is still a warm ticket.

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Last updated: 13/03/2026 at 17:43

Coach Bob Santos confirmed that Mario Barrios plans to move up to 154 pounds following his recent loss to Ryan Garcia, while also indicating that he may return to the head coaching role.

Speaking exclusively to World Boxing News, Santos addressed Barrios’ future, including his decision to move up in weight and how the former WBC welterweight champion might approach the next stage of his career.

Barrios found success in the welterweight division, winning the WBC world title and making several defenses before suffering a loss to Garcia.

“Mario won the WBC 147-pound world title and had several defenses,” Santos told WBN. “But I definitely think it would be best for him to move up to 154 pounds.”

Barrios heads to 154

A move up to super welterweight could offer Barrios a fresh path after a tough night against Garcia, although Santos was careful not to criticize the strategy used in that fight.

Joe Goossen was on corner duties that evening, which raised eyebrows given Santos’ long association with the player.

However, the experienced trainer did not want to guess the course of the fight.

“It’s always basic to play point guard on a Monday morning,” Santos explained. “I wasn’t the head coach and the only one who really knows that would be Mario Barrios.

“How did he feel that night? How did his body react during the night?”

“I’m not a head coach or a player, so I don’t think I can dispute anything.”

Comparison of Pacquiao and Garcia

Barrios’ draw with Manny Pacquiao provided some encouragement ahead of the Garcia fight, but Santos stressed that the two fights presented very different challenges.

“I think they are two completely different things,” Santos said. “Manny Pacquiao and Ryan Garcia are completely different styles and were at completely different points in their careers when we fought them. For me, there is no comparison between the two fights.”

Santos reports on the return of the head coach

Santos also indicated that he could return to the role of Barrios’ head coach should the fighter decide to reunite with him before moving up to 154 pounds.

“If he wants me to be the head coach again, in his 20-odd years of fighting with me as the head coach, he has never lost,” Santos said.

“If I decide to be a head coach again at the age of 154, I definitely think I have some tricks up my sleeve for those types of players.”

What’s next for Barrios?

Before targeting his opponents at the fresh weight, Santos expects Barrios to tread slowly.

“I think he needs to take some time off, build his physique to the 154-pound weight class, and then start the process with quality sparring,” Santos explained. “Then we will see what opportunities arise.”

Eyebrows were raised when Goossen was drafted to fight Garcia. Of course, he knew Garcia from their brief time together, but after his draw with Manny Pacquiao, sticking with that formula seemed like a safer play for Garcia.

As it turned out, Barrios was not himself at all. Whether he was confused by tactics or simply lacked depth, the performance that many feared against Pacquiao finally caught up with him against Garcia.

Without the punching power that many top 154-pound fighters possess, Barrios will once again have to rely on skill and ring intelligence if he is to win a title in his third weight class.

With Santos around, the former WBC welterweight champion at least has a steady hand at his disposal should he need someone to replace him as head coach.

It looks like an offer has already been made for him.

About the author

Phil Jay is the editor-in-chief of World Boxing News (WBN) and a boxing veteran with over 15 years of experience. Read the full biography.