Devin Haney outclassed Brian Norman over 12 commanding rounds in Riyadh, becoming a three-division world champion and finally putting to rest the ghosts of his 2024 nightmare loss to Ryan Garcia.
Haney’s first professional defeat – a bout in which he was dropped three times – was later ruled a no-contest after Garcia tested positive for ostarine. Still, the psychological damage lingered. His tentative, defensive performance against Jose Ramirez in May raised concerns that his confidence, punch resistance, and trademark composure had not recovered.
Those doubts evaporated on Saturday night.
Haney controlled the fight nearly from the opening bell, relying on his lightning jab, impeccable timing, and a renewed willingness to stand his ground. Norman, known for his devastating left hook and brutal KO of Jin Sasaki in June, was widely viewed as a dangerous matchup for Haney. Instead, the 24-year-old challenger found himself systematically dismantled.
Haney started cautiously in round one, but in the second, everything changed. He beat Norman to the punch with a sharp left hook, stunning him, and followed immediately with a right hand that sent the champion to the canvas. Haney taunted him as he stood over him—a statement that he had fully returned.
Norman survived the round, came out firing in the third, but Haney walked him into a perfectly timed overhand right. From there, the jab took over: snapping Norman’s head back, disrupting his rhythm, dictating every exchange. In the seventh, Haney nearly repeated the earlier knockdown combination with a leaping left hook–right hand that again had Norman unsteady.
Although Norman had brief flashes—like a clean left hand in the ninth—he was consistently beaten to the punch, outmaneuvered, and forced to swing at air. Haney’s control grew stronger in the championship rounds, doing most of his damage with just the lead hand.
When the final bell rang, the scorecards were surprisingly close on one side (114-113, alongside 117-110 and 116-111), but the result was never in doubt: Haney had become the new WBO welterweight champion and ended his 18-month stretch without a title.
After the fight, the 26-year-old reflected on his journey:
“In 2024 I lost everything. In 2025, I came to get it back. In 2026, I’m coming for everything.”
Haney confirmed he intends to stay at 147 lbs, with his father and trainer Bill Haney guiding his next move. A potential showdown with Conor Benn—who watched from ringside—could loom, while a rematch with Ryan Garcia would undoubtedly be one of the biggest events in the sport.
For now, one thing is clear: Devin Haney isn’t just back. He’s better.
