Devin Haney displayed a masterful performance against Brian Norman on Saturday as part of “The Ring IV: Night of the Champions” card in Saudi Arabia.

Haney (33-0, 15 KOs) dominated the first half of the fight, which was highlighted by a double left hook, straight right hand combination that knocked down Norman (28-1, 22 KOs) as he cruised to a unanimous decision win.

Haney, the former undisputed lightweight champion and 140-pound titleholder, picked up Norman’s WBO welterweight title in his divisional debut against The Ring’s No. 1-ranked fighter in the weight class.

“Part of the game plan was to sting him early, get my respect early because I knew he really believed that I couldn't punch,” Haney told The Ring in his dressing room post-fight.

“He felt like he was going to bully me. Our game plan was to go in there and shock him, get my respect – that's what I did. His best thing was his left hook, I went in there and took it away. Everybody said I was a sucker for a left hook, don't think he hit me with one.”

Oddsmakers favored the mostly unproven Norman to pick apart and blast the more experienced Haney, but he rose to the occasion following uneven performances against Jose Ramirez and Ryan Garcia over the last 19 months.

“It was surprising to see me being an underdog going into this fight,” Haney said. “It gave me motivation, his team talked a lot, just used it as fuel for my motivation. A lot of people counted me out and said I was never going to be the same, a runner. I went in there and silenced all of them.

“Everything that I said I was going to do, I did. My dad [and trainer Bill Haney] put together a great game plan. At times, I got away from it in the fight, but it worked.”

After building an early lead, Haney seemingly let off the gas a bit, which allowed Norman to win a handful of rounds in the mid-to-late portion of the fight. Judges scored the contest 114-113, 116-111 and 117-110. According to CompuBox, Haney outlanded Norman 70-59, but threw 128 fewer punches.

“I think he's a good fighter and that he brought the best out of me,” said Haney. “I was really up for this fight. I knew that I had to be on my A-game, knew he was a puncher. I went in there and just handicapped him, that's what the game plan was.

“He was the best guy at 147, now I am. I'm the top dog in the division, came into the weight class and took it over in one fight. I'll fight anybody.

“I am one of the best in the sport, whether they like it, admit it or not. I am one of the pound-for-pound best in the sport, and have proven that time and time again.”