Brian Norman Jr’s manager, Adrian Clark, says he was “told” the Devin Haney fight isn’t happening. He didn’t give a reason for the breakdown in talks.
Haney-Norman Jr. Fight Off
It’s logical to assume that Devin and his dad, Bill Haney, chose not to take the fight with the big punching WBO welterweight champion Norman Jr. (28-0, 22 KOs). Fans believe the Haney’s backed out of the fight, got cold feet after taking a look at Norman Jr’s last three fights.
Norman Jr.’s Brutal Power
Devin’s chances of winning would have been slim, and likely would have seen what’s left of his career burned in the incinerator with a brutal knockout like Norman Jr’s last opponent, Jin Sasaki, on June 19th. He had to be carried out of the ring on a stretcher.
The big shots that Sasaki took in the first four rounds would have given Haney a lot of trouble. Given how hurt Devin was against Ryan Garcia, it’s impossible to see him going more than one or two rounds, taking the kinds of shots Sasaki was against Norman Jr.
Many people believe that Bill Haney never had any genuine interest in matching Devin against Brian Norman Jr.; They see it as more about clout-chasing.
Welp, that was quick. Unless I’m being punk’d, I’m told there’s no fight between Norman Jr-Haney.
— Adrian Clark (@TheAdrianClark) June 26, 2025
The timing of Bill showing interest in that fight immediately after Norman’s knockout win over Sinsaki last week helped hijack some of the spotlight to give Devin some badly-needed attention.
Fans argue that if Bill had a genuine interest in making the Haney-Norman Jr. fight, why didn’t he attempt to make it before Norman Jr’s clash with Sinsaki? Why did Bill wait until immediately after the fight for his callout?
Haney’s Career Burning Out?
The Haney-Norman Jr. fight was reportedly going to take place in Saudi Arabia, which means that Devin would have gotten another big payday. On the flipside, he likely would have been knocked out early, but at least the dough would have been good.
For Haney to keep getting the big money that he made in his last fight against Jose Ramirez, he’s going to need to fight someone popular and dangerous. The rematch with Ryan Garcia in October is no longer an option after his loss to Rolando ‘Rolly’ Romero last May.