James, who works out of World Class Boxing Gym in Dallas, has built a reputation for mentoring elite champions, including Errol Spence Jr. and Jermell Charlo. For Norman Jr. the move represents a clear attempt to recover from the first major setback of his career.
Reaction to the pairing was mixed. While James’ resume is unquestionable, some observers remain dubious about how much change a new coach can produce alone. Similar skepticism followed other fighters who briefly worked with James, including Ryan Garcia, where expectations exceeded results.
Norman Jr. ‘s loss to Haney centered less on technical shortcomings than on how the fight unfolded after adversity struck. He was dropped early and never fully asserted himself again. From that point on, he seemed reluctant to engage, prioritizing survival over risk as the rounds went by.
That hesitation under fire is the real problem Norman Jr. face as he begins this new chapter of his career. James can fix positioning, tighten fundamentals and improve structure, but he can’t provide confidence. The willingness to step back in danger must come from the warrior.
Whether this partnership succeeds will depend less on the gym change than on Norman Jr. response to pressure. If he remains cautious when the stakes rise, the results could look familiar regardless of who holds the pads.
The coach has changed. The questions surrounding Norman Jr. s ceiling did not.
