Devin Haney and his father, Bill, rightly enjoyed Saturday night’s world-title win over Brian Norman Jr. Their celebrations would have tasted all the sweeter given how many had written the fighter off before he challenged for the WBO welterweight title in Riyadh.
Coming off a punishing ordeal against Ryan Garcia – who later failed a drugs test – and a widely criticised shut-out of Jose Carlos Ramirez in May, the 27-year-old had plenty to answer for. Against the hard-hitting Norman he proved, once again, that form is temporary and class is permanent. But where does his latest triumph sit among the best wins of his career? Boxing News ranks Haney’s three greatest victories.
1. Haney vs Vasyl Lomachenko – May 20, 2023
Their undisputed lightweight title fight at Madison Square Garden remains one of the most debated decisions in recent years. Many observers were stunned to see Haney awarded a unanimous verdict, but the record will always show that the American ‘Dream’ defeated the Ukrainian ‘Matrix’. The opening nine rounds were tight, and whatever card you had on the night, the history books will not change. Nor will the fact that he matched Lomachenko in every department, proving himself not just world-class but an elite fighter with exceptional skill and ring IQ. He landed the heavier body shots, stood up to Lomachenko’s late surge, and emerged the winner of a bout that embodied elite prizefighting at its highest level.
2. Haney vs Brian Norman Jr – November 22, 2025
The father-son duo have long perfected the art of polarising an audience, and this time the detractors were clinging to the hope that highlight-reel specialist Brian Norman Jr would add another knockout to his catalogue. Instead, Haney turned in one of his sharpest performances in years. Alert from the opening bell, he floored Norman in the second and never allowed the bigger puncher to dictate terms. Strong, composed and firing cleanly at welterweight, Haney absorbed what Norman had to offer, controlled the bout behind a disciplined jab, and ultimately coasted to a convincing points win.
3. Haney vs George Kambosos Jr I – June 5, 2022
To become undisputed, Haney – then the WBC lightweight champion – had to travel halfway around the world to Australia. Waiting was George Kambosos Jr, fresh from his unforgettable upset victory over Teofimo Lopez and brimming with confidence. But Kambosos’ moment in the sun ended there. The American produced a boxing masterclass, nullifying the Australian and barely taking a clean shot in return. Judges found two and four rounds for Kambosos, but even those tallies felt generous. Haney boxed, moved and demonstrated the gulf in class between a genuine champion and the chasing pack.
4. Haney vs Regis Prograis – December 9, 2023
‘The Dream’ walked straight into a world title shot at super-lightweight after vacating his undisputed status at 135lbs, taking on hard-hitting two-time champion Prograis. Though the New Orleans native was past his best, Haney — free from the shackles of the 135 weight cut — dominated with speed and angles. Like the Norman Jr win this past weekend, he flipped the script and scored the fight’s only knockdown on his way to a unanimous decision victory for the WBC belt at 140.
5. Haney vs Joseph Diaz – December 4, 2021
This wide points victory over southpaw Diaz to retain his WBC Lightweight World title at 23 showed he could handle real pressure from a durable and aggressive operator. Diaz had only suffered defeat once before stepping through the ropes that night, and provided all the tests for Haney to deliver a real coming of age performance.
