“I was fighting more so emotional instead of being myself,” Norman said to Ring Magazine. “He won the mental warfare battle.”
Norman added that Haney’s performance did not catch him off guard, saying he already understood what Haney would bring to the fight.
“Nothing surprised me because I already knew he was a great fighter,” Norman said. “He did everything we thought he was going to do.”
The loss pushed Norman to review the fight and examine the mistakes that led to the outcome. Watching the fight again was difficult at first, but he said it helped him see where things went wrong.
“A lot of reflection,” Norman said. “You don’t settle into the result. You figure out why it happened.”
Norman said the loss has not changed his goal of returning to the top of the welterweight division and believes another fight with Haney could happen if their careers meet again.
“You think I’m just going to let that happen and go on about my business?” Norman said when asked about a rematch. “No. Watch out now.”
Norman said he has made changes since the fight, confirming that he is now training in Houston with veteran coach Ronnie Shields after stepping away from working with his father in the corner.
Norman said the decision was difficult but necessary as he looks to move forward after the setback.
“Of course, it was a difficult decision because that’s my father,” Norman said. “But I needed to get away from home and go outside a little bit more.”
The welterweight contender said the new camp has helped him regain focus as he prepares for his return, adding that he hopes to fight again later this year.
Haney sharing the clip of Norman’s remarks spread the comments quickly across boxing social media and kept their rivalry in the spotlight.
Norman said the experience will help him the next time he steps into the ring. “You live, and you learn,” he said. “You can’t change yesterday, but you can dictate tomorrow.”
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