Brian Norman Jr. defends his WBO title in Riyadh in November – his opponent is none other than former champ Devin Haney!
The next big clash of the Riyadh Season has been announced: Brian Norman Jr. (29-0, 23 KOs) will defend his WBO welterweight world title against former champion Devin Haney (33-1, 16 KOs). Turki Al-Sheikh made the official announcement on X. The fight is scheduled to take place in November.
Norman is currently in absolute top form: just two weeks ago, the 23-year-old American defeated Japan’s Jin Sasaki spectacularly by knockout in round five to celebrate his second successful title defense. In Tokyo, the man from Georgia impressively demonstrated why he belongs to the elite – and ended the duel with a brutal right hook.
Haney, once the undisputed lightweight world champion and interim WBC semi-welterweight champion, is now feeling his way towards the welterweight division. He recently defeated Jose Carlos Ramirez – albeit with little brilliance. Now comes the big step: a title fight against the dangerous Brian Norman Jr.
Norman showed himself ready to fight days ago and told Boxing News“I’ll take the same deal I wanted for Ennis – I’m ready for Haney.” He continued: “What did Devin get against Ryan Garcia? A brick. And you know what I have in my hands. I’m ready for anything!”
Text by Robin Josten