Devin Haney: Crossroads against Brian Norman? Boxer analysis.

Devin Haney at the Crossroads of His Career: Rematch or Decline?

Devin Haney’s trajectory, former undisputed lightweight champion, is at a crucial point. At 26 years old, Haney has achieved significant milestones in boxing, but an encounter with Ryan Garcia has tested his status. 19 months ago, a left hook from Garcia altered Haney’s rise. Although the fight ended in a no-decision due to a failed drug test by Garcia, the impact was significant. Criticism of his position as one of the best pound-for-pound boxers began to surface. This Saturday, Haney will face Brian Norman, another young man with a dangerous left hook, seeking to close the chapter of the Barclays Center of April 2024. A victory could put him back on top, while a defeat could be devastating for his career.

This fight is super important because they say this guy is my kryptonite. They say he has a left hook, which is powerful, which is big, he is everything. So, a victory means everything to me. I will be champion again and it will put me back on top, where I once was.

Devin Haney

Haney’s performance in the last two years, including the fight against Garcia and an unconvincing victory against Jose Ramirez, has affected his reputation. Beating Norman, ranked as the best welterweight, could divert attention from the past and place Haney back at the top of another division. However, a defeat could be detrimental to his career, especially before reaching his prime.

Despite the criticism, Haney has proven his worth. His victory over Kambosos in Australia and his performance against Regis Prograis demonstrate his ability to silence his detractors.

I don’t know and I don’t care. All I want to do is keep beating the best boxers in the world. I’ve accomplished a lot, I’m still young, but I’ve been at the top for a while and I plan to be here for a long time. They can say what they want, and I’ll keep doing what I do.

Devin Haney

Haney, known for his technical and sometimes not-so-exciting style, has been compared to Floyd Mayweather. His focus is on winning and remaining undefeated. Shawn Porter believes that the image Haney projects to the public doesn’t always match his performances in the ring. Haney has been part of the “Four Kings” era, along with Gervonta Davis, Teofimo Lopez, and Ryan Garcia, but he hasn’t yet achieved the same impact as the legendary quartet of the 80s. Haney lacks the defensive skills of Stevenson, the power of Davis, the reflexes of Lopez, and the speed of Garcia. However, his uniqueness lies in his instinct, although Porter points out that he may have lost some of that quality in his fight against Garcia. Haney, after his defeat against Garcia, faces the possibility of being “shaken” and “afraid of being hit”, which could be detrimental against a boxer with great power like Norman. However, Haney is drawn to this challenge.

The fight on Saturday could be a turning point for Haney. A victory could take a weight off his shoulders, but the risk could outweigh the reward. Haney prefers to face danger head-on, seeking to prove that he can overcome any obstacle.

Many people fear the unknown. What if they hit me? What am I going to do? Well, the world knows what I’m going to do. I know what I’m going to do. It’s like a weight off my shoulders, just knowing that I am able to get up when I fall and knowing that I have a chin. The way I beat Brian Norman, I think a lot of people will have to give me credit for it.

Devin Haney