DEVIN HANEY is refusing to read too much into Brian Norman Jr’s latest success.
On November 22 in Riyadh Haney challenges Norman for the WBO welterweight title looking to become a three-weight world champion. Earlier this summer Norman, 28-0 (22 KOs), travelled to Tokyo’s Ota-City General Gymnasium and defended his championship in style, stopping Jin Sasaki, 19-2-1 (17 KOs), inside five rounds. The American’s reputation as one of the division’s biggest punchers was reinforced, but Haney remains unconvinced by the level of opposition.
“He did what he’s supposed to do. Did he knock him out? Did he show strength? Absolutely. But it was against a guy that we’ve never heard of, or that I’ve never heard of at least. And I watch boxing 24/7. I watch all these fights. I never heard of that guy. He’s not a guy at the elite level.
“So, did he do what he’s supposed to do against him? Absolutely. He did good. He did. He knocked him out and he showed power, but that was against a guy that is not at the top level. I’ve been fighting the top guys, the best of the best for years now,” Haney told Boxing News.
The 26-year-old has a résumé to back up that statement. As a former undisputed lightweight champion and WBC super-lightweight champion, Haney has already shared the ring with George Kambosos Jr, Vasyl Lomachenko, Regis Prograis, Ryan Garcia and Jose Carlos Ramirez. Now competing at welterweight, he is determined to show his best form after a flat performance against Ramirez earlier this year.
“One hundred and forty pounds was super hard for me to make,” he explained. “I felt depleted when I went in for the Ryan fight. I did come into camp pretty heavy [for] that fight. Not making no excuses or nothing as far as that but I just didn’t I didn’t feel myself at 140. I didn’t feel as good as I felt in the Regis fight at 140. When I just fought at 144 I felt super good and I think at 147 I’ll feel even better.”
