Brian Norman Jr. is confident he will knock out Devin Haney.

The emerging WBO welterweight champion has such faith in his power that Norman (28-0, 22 KOs, 1 NC) expects to knock out every opponent he faces. One of the primary reasons he's thankful that Haney agreed to fight him, however, is because the Conyers, Georgia, native views their bout as a perfect opportunity to earn more respect for his boxing ability.

Norman's knockout of Japan’s Jin Sasaki (19-2-1, 17 KOs) on June 19 at Ota City General Gynasium in Tokyo has drawn praise from throughout the boxing world. His picture-perfect left hook knocked Sasaki unconscious and produced an irrefutable frontrunner for "Knockout of the Year" midway through 2025.

As much as Norman appreciates the recognition and the career-changing payday the Sasaki knockout helped him secure, he feels that his ring IQ, technical skills and other attributes are underrated.

Norman can't wait to put those assets to the test when he meets Haney (32-0, 15 KOs, 1 NC) for a 147-pound championship. Turki Alalshikh announced Sunday on social media that Norman-Haney will take place on a date to be determined as part of a Riyadh Season show in Saudi Arabia.

"Something that people misconstrue about me is they think I'm just a puncher," Norman told The Ring. "That's where y'all wrong. Do you see the composure? You don't think I'm in there thinking? You don't think I'm putting things together. Do you not see the speed that I come with?

"Matter of fact, they don't see the footwork. But that's another reason I love the fact that I'm fighting Devin Haney. He got amazing footwork, definitely top five in the game right now. So, now I can showcase my skills against an established-to-the-game opponent, did this and did that. Now, let's see how I match up with him."

Haney’s boxing ability, intelligence and ring generalship helped him become boxing's first fully unified lightweight champion of the four-belt era.

The Oakland, California, native added the WBC junior welterweight title to his resume by beating Regis Prograis convincingly in December 2023 and remains unbeaten because his majority-decision defeat to Ryan Garcia in April 2024 was changed to no-contest. Garcia tested positive for Ostarine, a banned substance.

Norman admires the heart and determination Haney displayed by getting up from three knockdowns to make it to the final bell against Garcia.

After taking widespread criticism for his extremely cautious approach during a unanimous points victory over former WBC/WBO 140-pound champ Jose Ramirez (29-3, 18 KOs) on May 2 in Times Square, Haney is expected to assert himself early in what will be his first fight at the welterweight limit of 147 pounds. Norman is certain Haney will change that strategy as soon as he feels the 24-year-old champion's power.

"I believe he will try to come out and get his respect," Norman said. "You got the Jose Ramirez thing, plus I'm new in the game, so he'll try to let it be known that he's still here. 'I'm still Devin Haney, still The Dream,' and all that. But just like with everybody else, for some reason when I'm touching 'em, eyes get big and they fight a whole different way."