Pressure will force Haney to think opposite Norman Jr

Abel Sanchez predicts that the pressure WBO welterweight champion Brian Norman Jr. is putting on Devin Haney will wear him down and “force him to think all the time” on Saturday night, November 22.

(Credit: Queensberry/Leigh Dawney)

With Norman Jr’s punching power, it’s going to put Haney (32-0, 16 KOs) out of favor, dealing with constant bombardment in every round. Sanchez points out that Devin hasn’t faced this type of fighter with the combination of strength and athleticism that 24-year-old Norman Jr. (28-0, 22 KOs) will not bring to this fight.

Haney has fought many older guys who were on their last legs, and often smaller than him, such as Jose Ramirez, Vasily Lomachenko and Regis Prograis.

“I think the pressure he’s going to put on Devin is going to get to Devin. He’s going to be a little more athletic than some of the guys Devin has fought. (Jose) Ramirez was a little older when he fought him in his last fight,” trainer Abel Sanchez said. Seconds Ort about the better known Devin Haney, with pressure on him.

Haney is well aware that he’s the guy who’s been in the public eye for a lot longer. During the build up to this fight, he repeatedly mentioned that he has more experience than Norman Jr. He makes it a point to let fans know that he is not familiar with any of Brian Jr’s previous opponents.

He’s the one under pressure because he’s facing a belt holder with no marketability or name recognition. As such, Haney has more to lose, especially with the Ryan Garcia rematch hanging over his head. That fight is a virtual goldmine waiting to happen. If Haney gets blown to the outer reaches of the universe by Norman Jr, the Ryan rematch goes bye-bye.

“I think the fact that Brian is a little younger, a little fresher, with no pressure on him. The pressure he’s going to put on Devin. He’s not going to let him think. He is going to be on him like white on rice. I see either a controversial decision or a dramatic knockout by Brian Norman,” Sanchez said.

When Abel mentions “controversial decision,” he’s probably talking about it going in Haney’s favor. Hopefully we don’t see an ugly controversy tarnish this fight because it’s the one boxing fans are most looking forward to seeing.

If what Sanchez says means that Norman Jr. needing a knockout to win is pathetic. There were fans who questioned whether Norman Jr. could win a decision in the build-up given the big fights available to Devin if he wins against these fighters:

• Ryan Garcia – rematch
• Conor Benn
• Teofimo Lopez