Bill Haney was up in arms after hearing the criticism promoter Eddie Hearn said about Devin Haney’s performance last Saturday night with his win over WBO welterweight champion Brian Norman Jr. in Riyadh. Hearn was glad for Haney (33-0, 15 KOs), but added that he’d been dull due to the holding he did throughout the fight.
Devin’s Defensive Switch
Eddie said that Devin could have scored a quick knockout of Norman Jr. if he’d gone all out after dropping him in round two with a right hand. Instead, he went into defensive mode, holding for the remaining 10 rounds of the contest to win a 12-round unanimous decision. It was a strange move for Haney to play it safe when he had Norman hurt.
“He’s not good to watch. He doesn’t want to engage,” said Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn to Boxing King Media last Saturday, reflecting on Devin Haney’s dull performance against Brian Norman Jr. in Riyadh. “He’s always been a smart, technical fighter. He’s not easy to beat because he doesn’t want to fight, and that’s smart,” said Hearn about Haney.
Fans Echo Hearn
Hearn was being truthful about Devin. It wasn’t mean-spirited on his part, as his views echoed those of the fans on social media. He boxes well, but he doesn’t engage and does the minimum now to get his victories. Something changed in the way Haney fights since his loss to Ryan Garcia.
After two fights, it’s noticeable. He got lucky last Saturday with the stiff, inexperienced 24-year-old Norman Jr., but if Devin continues to fight like that against other welterweights, his career will begin going down the drain quickly. There are too many fighters in the 147-lb division that Haney can beat, fighting like that.
Welterweights Waiting to Feast
Norman Jr. was the perfect opponent for Haney to win a close decision. If he faces Hearn’s fighter, Conor Benn, or fights Ryan Garcia in a rematch in 2026, his brief reign as the WBO welterweight champion could come to a screeching halt.
“He’s difficult to beat because he’s holding and grabbing. He’s not doing anything. After he dropped Brian Norman really heavily, all he had to do was step on him, and he would have stopped him. People are watching that,” said Hearn about Haney.
Devin didn’t do much holding in his last fight against Jose Ramirez on May 2, 2025. He mostly moved in circles for three minutes of every round, making it boring for fans.
“What champions does Eddie have?” said Bill Haney to Boxing King Media when told that Hearn had said that Devin ‘Isn’t good to watch.’ “Bam’ is over here with us. Who else does he have?” said Bill when told that Hearn has WBA, WBC, and WBO super flyweight champion Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez
“That speaks for itself, Eddie Hearn,” said Bill when told that Hearn also has Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis as one of his champions. “There’s a reason why
