“I was fighting more so emotionally instead of being myself,” Norman told Ring Magazine. “He won the spiritual warfare.”
Norman added that Haney’s performance didn’t catch him off guard, saying he already understood what Haney would bring to the fight.
“Nothing surprised me because I already knew he was a great fighter,” Norman said. “He did everything we thought he was going to do.”
The loss prompted Norman to review the fight and examine the mistakes that led to the outcome. Rewatching the fight was difficult at first, but he said it helped him see where things went wrong.
“A lot of reflection,” Norman said. “You don’t tune in to the outcome. You find out why it happened.”
Norman said the loss has not changed his goal of returning to the top of the welterweight division and believes another fight with Haney could happen if their careers meet again.
“You think I’m just going to let it happen and go about my business?” Norman said when asked about a rematch. “No. Watch out now.”
Norman said he has made changes since the fight and confirmed he is now training with veteran trainer Ronnie Shields in Houston after stepping away to work in the corner with his father.
Norman said the decision was difficult but necessary as he wanted to move forward after the setback.
“Obviously it was a difficult decision because this is my father,” Norman said. “But I had to get away from home and go outside a little more.”
The welterweight contender said the new camp has helped him regain focus as he prepares for his return, adding that he hopes to fight again later this year.
Sharing the clip of Norman’s comments, Haney quickly spread the comments across boxing social media, keeping their rivalry in the spotlight.
Norman said the experience will help him the next time he steps into the ring. “You live, and you learn,” he said. “You can’t change yesterday, but you can dictate tomorrow.”
