Devin Haney has not announced his next fight. No contract is signed. No date is set. But inside the welterweight picture, one option is being discussed more seriously than the rest. A unification bout against Lewis Crocker in 2026 has quietly moved to the front of the line.

Why Lewis Crocker Is Being Treated Differently

Crocker has been direct about it. He has called a fight with Devin Haney his ideal matchup and the biggest fight in the division. That public stance matters. It signals that at least one side is not posturing or hedging. It is an open invitation.

There is interest on Haney’s side as well. Eddie Hearn confirmed that discussions have taken place through Bill Haney, describing it plainly as a unification fight.

Haney’s focus at welterweight is clear. He wants belts. At 147 pounds, belts create leverage. They change negotiating position. They also shorten the path to the most lucrative matchups later.

Other names are being mentioned. Gervonta Davis has been floated as a possible target, with Bill Haney expressing interest. A rematch with Ryan Garcia continues to linger in the background. Conor Benn remains part of the long game as well. Those are popularity fights. They are driven by audience and money.

A Crocker unification is different. It is a positioning fight.

The Welterweight Titles Are There to Be Taken

The current view of the welterweight titles helps explain why. The champions are not widely seen as dominant figures. Crocker and Rolando Romero do not carry the same risk profile as past belt holders. For a fighter with Haney’s discipline and control, the division presents an opportunity.

There is also a wider field developing. Keyshawn Davis could enter the picture in 2026 if he comes through his upcoming test against Jamaine Ortiz. That result may affect the order, not the plan.

For now, nothing is official. But among all the possibilities, unifying with Crocker fits the clearest logic. It builds leverage first. The bigger fights can wait.

Tom Galm has covered the global boxing scene since 2014, specializing in heavyweight analysis, business trends, and fighter psychology.

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Boxing News 24 » Belts First, Big Money Later: Devin Haney’s Welterweight Play

Last Updated on 01/01/2026