Devin Haney’s sparring partner, Troy Isley, predicts that he will beat Brian Norman Jr. is going to frustrate him with his movement and will defeat him by decision on November 22nd.
Isleys says Haney sometimes told Floyd Mayweather Jr. remind. He did not say which version of Floyd he was recalling.
The 5’10” middleweight Isley says Haney (32-0, 16 KOs) was bigger than him during their sparring sessions. This confirms what many believe about Devin being a weight bully.
“He reminded me of Floyd”
“He’s not the biggest puncher, but hitting isn’t everything,” Troy Isley said MillCity Boxing on Devin Haney, giving his thoughts after saving him. “It’s about skill. He did some things that reminded me of Floyd.”
It’s about power. Devin’s lack of punch is going to hurt him against Norman Jr, as he won’t be able to hold him down just by moving or throwing jabs.
Haney fights nothing like Floyd Mayweather Jr. did during his career. The difference in hand speed is huge. Floyd Jr. was willing to stand in front of his opponents, block shots and counter.
Mayweather stopped being a nut when he was booed during his fight against Carlos Baldomir on November 4, 2006. After that fight, Floyd became a stand-in fighter for the remaining 11 years of his career before retiring in 2017. Haney has more in common with Shakur Stevenson than he did with Mayweather.
“Devin’s a great fighter. He’s got a good jab and great distance. Yeah, I do,” Isley said when asked if he believes Haney is on his way to becoming a legend. He is so fast. I feel like when I start dealing with my weight with guys, it’s not going to be anything,” Isley said.
Norman Jr. cannot be kept away forever
Haney’s problem is that he keeps far too much distance between himself and his opponents. He didn’t let Jose Ramirez anywhere near him last May, treating him like a knockout artist instead of a slow, older fighter. Devin goes against Norman Jr. a lot more. must get involved if he wants to win on November 22.
Big? Not yet. Not close
Isley calling Haney a “great fighter” is going a bit far. Unless we’re lowering the bar for what it means to be a “great fighter,” Devin is nowhere near that. He barely reaches the good warrior grade. To be good, you have to be willing to stand and fight. We haven’t seen that in any of Devin’s fights since he fought Joseph Diaz in 2021. It was the last time he stood in the pocket and stayed there.
Isley predicts that Haney will outbox him for 10 to 12 rounds, which frustrates Norman Jr. He says Devin won’t let Norman use his power by staying away from him. Troy predicts Haney will win a decision, and possibly Norman Jr.
Last updated on 21/10/2025
