Bill Haney says his son, Devin Haney (32-0, 16 KOs), will “put on a masterclass performance” in dethroning WBO welterweight champion Brian Norman Jr. (28-0, 22 KOs) in 23 days on November 22nd. He views Devin as destined to defeat the fighter he believes is the best at 147.
Framing Norman Jr. as the No.1 Target
Bill wanted to ensure that fans and the media view Norman Jr. as the #1 guy at 147, so that Devin will receive full credit for beating him. Also, if Haney loses, the backlash won’t be as severe because he’s moving up and facing the best fighter at welterweight. It’s a sly way to get credit if things go well, and deflect criticism if Norman vaporizes Haney.
It’s going to be back for Haney if he’s knocked out. There’s no escape from that. Fans are viewing Devin as flawed and damaged goods, as many already do. Losing to Norman Jr. will merely confirm their opinions.
Many fans believe that Haney is taking this fight because Turki Alalshikh wanted it after Devin’s Jerry-esque performance earlier this year against Jose Ramirez on May 2, 2025, at Times Square in New York. He didn’t come to fight against Ramirez and spent virtually the entire 12-round bout moving and clinching.
Terrible action: It was easily the worst performance on the night. Devon avoided confrontation throughout the fight, choosing not to engage with Ramirez. If it’s true that Turki is the one who picked Norman Jr. as Haney’s opponent, it’s understandable why.
Fans Demand Payback for a Letdown
After that non-performance, Haney needs to redeem himself in a big way because that’s worse than losing. When someone doesn’t want to fight after being paid millions, they’ve got to make up for that. It would have been better for Haney to have been matched up against Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis or Vergil Ortiz Jr. for some real drama. Fans are more familiar with those two, and Haney would be a massive underdog.
“Is the guy dangerous? Does he have a left hook that put a guy [Jin Sasaki] in the hospital, a guy that said he forgot two weeks of his life,” said Bill Haney to Fight Hub TV, talking about WBO welterweight champion Brian Norman Jr., that Devin Haney will be facing in a high-risk match in less than a month on November 22nd.
If Norman Jr. lands the kinds of shots on Haney that he did against Jin Sasaki on July 19, 2025, the fight might not make it through the first round on November 22. Sasaki took monstrous shots for four rounds before being knocked cold in the fifth from a left hook that flattened him.
Haney’s Legacy Play at Three Divisions
“It’s a great opportunity for Devin to become a three-division champion. It’s three division champions. Regis Prograis at 140. Of course, we know at 135 in Australia with George Kambosos. Now, we have 147 [against Norman Jr],” said Bill.
Fans wouldn’t say this is a “great opportunity” for Haney to become a three-division world champion. There’s a chance he can win, but it would be off to say this is a “great” shot for Devin to capture his third division title. His previous two were gimmees against a faded 35-year-old Regis Prograis at 140 and the one-hit wonder George Kambosos Jr. at 135.
Those were the perfect champions for Haney to beat or anyone in the top five in those two weight classes. For example, if contenders like Abdullah Mason and Floyd Schofield fought Kambosos Jr. at lightweight, they’d have likely beaten him as well, but by knockout, not a 12-round decision, the way Devin did.
“Masterclass” Incoming on November 22
“Watch what you see on November 22nd. Listen, he’s [Haney] going to put on a masterclass performance, one for the ages. Is he the man of the division?” said Bill.
