Bill Haney was up in arms after hearing what critic promoter Eddie Hearn had to say about Devin Haney’s performance last Saturday night in his victory over WBO welterweight champion Brian Norman Jr. in Riyadh. Hearn was happy for Haney (33-0, 15 KOs), but added that he was dull due to the holding he did throughout the fight.
Eddie said that Devin got a quick knockout of Norman Jr. could have achieved if he went all out after dropping him with a right hand in round two. Instead, he went into defense mode and held on for the remaining 10 rounds of the contest to win a 12-round unanimous decision.
“He is not good to look at. He doesn’t want to get involved,” said Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn Boxing King Media last Saturday, reflecting on Devin Haney’s lackluster 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,” Hearn said of Haney.
Fans Echo Hearn
Hearn was honest about Devin. It was not mean on his part as his views mirrored those of the fans on social media. He boxes well, but he doesn’t get involved and now does the bare minimum to get his wins. Something has changed in the way Haney fights since his loss to Ryan Garcia.
After two fights it is worth noting. He got lucky last Saturday against the stiff, inexperienced 24-year-old Norman Jr., but if Devin continues to fight other welterweights like this, his career will begin to wind down quickly. There are too many fighters in the 147-lb division that can beat Haney, who fight like that.
Norman Jr. was the perfect opponent for Haney to win a close decision. If he faces Hearn’s fighter Conor Benn or faces Ryan Garcia in a rematch in 2026, his brief reign as the WBO welterweight champion could come to a screeching halt.
“He’s hard to beat because he holds and grabs. He does nothing. After he dropped Brian Norman very hard, all he had to do was step on him, and he would have stopped him. People look at it,” Hearn said of Haney.
Devin didn’t hold back much in his last fight against Jose Ramirez on May 2, 2025. He mostly moved in circles for three minutes of each round, which made it boring for fans.
“What champions does Eddie have?” Bill Haney told Boxing King Media when told that Hearn said Devin was “not good to watch.” “Bam’ is here with us. Who else does he have?” Bill said when told that Hearn had WBA, WBC and WBO super flyweight champion Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez
“It goes without saying, Eddie Hearn,” Bill said when told that Hearn also has Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis as one of his champions. “There is a reason why
Last updated on 24/11/2025
