Brian Norman’s sparring partner, Elijah Flores, who also sparred with Devin Haney, picks Norman Jr. (28-0, 22 KOs) to win their November 22 fight in Riyadh.
The betrayal inside the gym
Haney’s sparring partner turns on him. Flores says WBO welterweight champion Norman’s power, athleticism, “nasty hook” and ability to cut off the ring will factor into his defeat of Haney (32-0, 16 KOs). He says to win a fight you have to be in the pocket against Norman Jr. can stand, and he doesn’t believe that Haney can do it.
Norman Jr-Haney will be in the co-feature slot on the David Benavidez vs. Anthony Yarde card fight at the ANB Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The event will be shown live on DAZN PPV. The price is $59.99 for US fans.
“I got it 60-40, Brian Norman. He’s athletic, cuts the ring well, strong, quick and nasty hook,” Elijah Flores said. MillCity Boxingchoose Brian Norman Jr. to defeat Devin Haney. “He can get there. His feet match his hands.”
Norman Jr. has the reach advantage, an ability to cut off the ring, and a jab that is like a power jab. There can be no escape for Haney if he tries to make a run of it. Essentially, he has two choices:
- Stand and Fight: Survival may be measured in minutes for Devin, but at least he will show courage before he meets his end.
- Run: It’s a coward’s way, and it won’t work. Norman Jr. will get to him quickly.
Flores sees what Haney cannot
“For sure,” Flores said when asked if he wants to spar with Norman Jr. more. got than in his sparring with Haney. “I think when it comes to a real fight, you’ve got to be able to sit. You’ve got to be able to stay there. And I don’t see Haney staying there, not one bit. And I think that’s going to favor Brian Norman.”
Elijah raises some good points. Devin won’t stay in the pocket and fight Norman Jr because he’s going to be hyper-vigilant about getting hit. As Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn recently told FightHype, “Bill doesn’t want to get hit. And they are concerned about its impact resistance. This is the truth.”
So, the Jerry-like performance we saw from Haney in his last fight against Jose Ramirez on May 2nd at Times Square in New York is a reflection of Bill being “worried about (Devin) getting hit.”
This means that Haney is even more against Norman Jr. run than he did in his fight with Ramirez. He must. It would be suicidal for Dev to stand and fight Norman Jr as he wouldn’t last three minutes. The bombs that Brian Jr. hit his last opponent, Jin Sasaki, on June 19, Haney would likely destroy the Japanese fighter in much quicker than five rounds.
Written by Ken Woods, Ringside Boxing Analyst, covering world title fights since 2018.
Last updated on 19/10/2025
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