Fans are ridiculing Devin Haney’s hurdle track and field training as being purposeless for his preparation to challenge WBO welterweight champion Brian Norman Jr. on November 22nd.
This week, a short video clip of Haney (32-0, 15 KOs) jumping and ducking hurdles was posted online. People are wondering how this training will prepare him for combat against the biggest puncher in the 147-lb division. It looks like Haney is giving fans a glimpse of how he plans to survive against Norman Jr.
Haney’s Running History
Haney didn’t need to show this hurdle workout to let fans know how he plans on fighting Norman Jr. (28-0, 21 KOs). It’s been obvious from the moment the fight was announced that the former two-division world champion Haney will choose to fight the WBO 147-lb champion Brian Jr.
Garcia Trauma Impact
In Devin’s last fight against Jose Ramirez, he was scared of being hit and chose to stay on his bike the entire contest. Some fans remarked that he had the look of a person suffering from war trauma, PTSD, from his bad experience being batted around the ring by Ryan Garcia in 2024. Ryan swabbed the deck with Haney, using him as a mop for the entire fight.
Devin was dropped six times in that fight and hurt countless others. The referee only counted three of the knockdowns, but he was down a half dozen times from left hooks.
The question is, will it pay off? The fight will be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, which could help the A-side fighter Haney. He won’t be booed by the fans in Riyadh like he would if the contest were held in the U.S.
Unless Haney plans on running from Norman Jr. for 12 rounds, it’s pointless for him to be jumping and ducking hurdles. Devin already fought a Jerry-type fight in his last bout against veteran Jose Ramirez on May 2nd.
Haney essentially ran from Ramirez for the entire boring fight, resulting in a tremendous backlash from fans. Turki Alalshikh responded with his no more Tom and Jerry” fights.
Devin’s Future Uncertain
If Devin chooses to run from Norman Jr. for the complete 12 rounds on November 22nd, Turki has got to decide on whether to back up his talk of no longer being willing to “support” fighters that fail to engage or look the other way and allow it to happen.