Brian Norman Sr. says his son’s past opponents, Giovani Santillan, Derrieck Cuevas, and Jin Sasaki, are all bigger punchers than Devin Haney. He doesn’t view Devin (32-0, 15 KOs) as possessing enough size or power to pose a threat to WBO welterweight champion Norman Jr. (28-0, 22 KOs) for their 12-round co-feature bout on November 22, 2025, at the ANB Arena in Riyadh.
Comparisons to Santillan and Cuevas
“When it comes to skill, he’s got nothing on Brian Norman Jr. We’re going to show y’all on November 22nd. I don’t see him as a bigger threat than Giovani Santillan,” said Brian Norman Sr. to MillCity Boxing about Devin Haney. “I don’t even see him as a bigger threat than Derrieck Cuevas. I don’t see him as a bigger threat than Jin Sasaki.”
It’s believed that Haney’s game plan will be to jab, move, and tie up Norman Jr. all night to grind out a decision victory. However, Norman Sr. doesn’t see that as possible because Brian Jr. has an inch reach advantage over Haney. He also has a more powerful jab, which is like a power punch.
Haney’s First True Welterweight Test
“Have you ever seen Devin Haney fight a full-fledged welterweight? What fighter have you seen Haney fight that had the same length as him? That was [Jose] Ramirez and Ryan [Garcia]. Were you impressed with the performance?” said Norman Jr.
What Norman Sr. is driving at is that Haney has never fought at the full weight of the welterweight division. His last fight against the former WBC and WBO light welterweight champion Jose Ramirez was at a catchweight of 144 lbs on May 2, 2025. Ramirez is not a welterweight, and he was past his prime at 33.
Baptism by Fire Awaits Haney
Haney’s first real fight at 147 will be against the 24-year-old Norman Jr. on November 22nd, 2025, and it’s going to be baptism by fire for the San Francisco, California native. Devin is not only fighting for the first time at the full weight for the 147-lb division, but he’s facing the biggest puncher at welterweight.
The 24-year-old Norman Jr. is the youngest opponent Haney will face since his fight against then-21-year-old Jose Iniguez on December 18, 2015.
Last Updated on 10/27/2025
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