Brian Norman Jr. has scored highlight-reel worthy knockout after highlight-reel worthy knockout. But according to
Devin Haney, that’s an easy thing to do looking at the names he’s been facing.
Fulminating with anyone, especially Haney, isn’t Norman’s style.
The two will get a chance to swap fists on Nov. 22, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, at Ring IV. But before they do, the WBO welterweight champion doesn’t understand why Haney, or anyone else for that matter, feels the need to dissect, criticize and harshly judge his resume.
Although he hasn’t gotten the chance to face any recognizable names or future Hall of Famers, Norman wants to thank Haney ahead of time for what he’s about to do for his career.
“At one point, Muhammad Ali never fought anybody,” Norman told The Ring recently. “At one point, Mike Tyson never fought anybody, at one point Floyd [Mayweather] never fought anybody but then they did, and guess what? History was made and a legendary career was made after that. Devin Haney is my introduction to a legendary career.”
Haney, 26, is already on a Hall of Fame trajectory. With wins over Vasiliy Lomachenko, Jorge Linares,
Regis Prograis and
George Kambosos, he believes his experience will lead to Norman (28-0, 22 KOs) folding underneath the bright lights.
News of the two coming to terms on a deal came out of left field. After winning his May 2 comeback fight against Jose Ramirez in New York’s Times Square hosted by The Ring, a rematch with
Ryan Garcia appeared set in stone. That is, until Garcia came up woefully short against
Rolly Romero.
As for Norman, his recent viral KO over Jin Sasaki placed him on the map. The Japanese native had promised to rip away Norman’s title, similar to Haney.
Haney has long maintained that he’s levels above Norman. The only thing Norman can do is smile and count down the days til they finally meet in the ring.
“Come November, I will show him different.”