Brian Norman Jr. vs. Devin Haney: Clash of Styles in the Ring
Boxing, a sport where two worlds collide and statistics only hint at what might happen, presents us with a new stellar match. Brian Norman Jr. and Devin Haney will face each other for Norman’s WBO welterweight title in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The fight promises to be an event full of excitement and surprises.
Leading the card, WBC light heavyweight champion David Benavidez will face the dangerous contender Anthony Yarde, known for his devastating knockout power. However, the most anticipated battle of the night is Norman vs. Haney, where Haney will seek a world title in his third weight class. A victory would open the debate on whether Haney deserves a place in the pound-for-pound ranking.
The main question is: Will Haney be able to withstand Norman’s punching power, especially his ferocious left hook? Norman’s power is well documented. His last opponent, Jin Sasaki, claimed to have lost six weeks of memory after being brutally knocked out by Norman in the fifth round.
Haney’s vulnerability to Ryan Garcia’s left hook is also well-known, who knocked him down three times in April 2024. This detail adds an element of intrigue to Saturday’s match. Will Haney be able to outmaneuver Norman in strategy and technique during the twelve rounds? Will he be able to execute a perfect strategy to neutralize Norman’s punching power?
The moment favors Norman, who comes to the fight after three victories, all by spectacular knockout, and will make his third appearance in the ring this year. Haney has only fought once since taking a year off after his brave performance against Garcia, where he fell three times but managed to go the distance. The fight was declared a no-decision after Garcia tested positive for a banned substance. Haney returned on May 2, but had a lackluster performance in a unanimous decision victory against José Ramírez in Times Square, New York.
This weekend’s matchup is a very even fight. Norman’s combination of speed, power, and aggressiveness clashes with Haney’s hand speed and footwork, his timing precision, and his tactical acumen.
Both fighters seek not only victory, but also answers. Haney needs to prove that he still has what it takes to compete at the highest level. Norman will have the pressure to demonstrate that the devastating knockout power he showed in his last three fights can be transferred to a match against a future Hall of Famer like Haney, who, at 27 years old, is at the peak of his career.
Norman’s Style Analysis
At 24 years old, Norman has not yet reached his best version. His style is aggressive, always seeking the attack, but without neglecting defense. He combines hand speed with knockout power in both, and stands out for hitting between the opponent’s blows. His posture, firm and upright, radiates strength and danger. His base, supported by imposing calves, allows him to cling to the canvas.
He varies his jab with subtlety, whether to measure distance or to obstruct the path of punches. When he throws his jab, he does so with enough authority to freeze his opponents. At close range, he uses physical controls, immobilizing the opponent’s arms, opening the guard, and breaking the posture. He dictates each exchange in the clinch.
Use shoulder bumps and the leading hand to unbalance their rivals, steal positional advantages, and become a threat. Norman is the embodiment of the boxer-puncher, a nightmare for pure boxers. He is armed with experience, skill, and power, but also with an iron will and determination. He has an ‘underdog’ mentality and turns skepticism into fuel to dominate.
Haney’s Style Analysis
Haney’s style is based on problem-solving. He is a pure boxer with respectable punching power who outmaneuvers and positions his opponents with technique and calculated movements. He uses angles to gain a superior position and a precise jab to disrupt rhythm and timing. He applies subtle footwork to limit his opponents’ offensive options.
He keeps his opponents off balance by constantly feinting, throwing them off sync and questioning their focus. Then he picks them apart, leaving them searching for solutions he never lets them find. Haney does whatever it takes to win. He possesses elite boxing skills, executes a game plan with discipline, and has demonstrated the ability to adjust his fight strategy if given a second chance. His footwork is lightning fast, allowing him to evade, reset, and create angles to attack opponents unexpectedly.
Against aggressive fighters, cut off momentum with well-timed tie-ups and clinches, stifling their attacks before they can build an offense. Haney doesn’t let his opponents play. He moves like in a game of dodgeball, dodging, moving, and frustrating whoever is in front of him. His most underestimated and perhaps most defining quality is his willingness to take risks. He has consistently sought out the most difficult challenges available, without shying away from elite competition. He operates in a fight-or-flight system, where pressure and uncertainty do not shake him, but rather transform and energize him.
How the Fight Could Unfold
Stylistically, both Norman and Haney have clear paths to victory. Multiple possibilities can be foreseen: a decision victory for Haney, a brutal knockout by Norman, or even a right hand from Haney after a missed left hook from Norman. The fight has a wide spectrum of possible outcomes, which makes it so attractive.
The fight is expected to be intense from the first bell. Norman will likely try to impose himself from the start, pressing to force Haney to use his feet and keep his distance. The jab is an area where Norman could find immediate resistance. Haney has built his career on having one of the most precise and effective jabs in the sport. A quick and assertive start from Norman could disrupt Haney’s rhythm and reduce the efficiency of his jab before it becomes a real problem.
Applying pressure is essential for Norman, but how he applies it is crucial. Haney possesses one of the highest boxing IQs. He thrives on reading patterns, detecting undisguised approaches, bad technical habits, and repetitive sequences that opponents don’t hide well. When Norman closes the distance to connect his power punches, he often uses a 2-1 combination (a right cross followed by a jab) while advancing towards his opponent. In those moments, he leaves himself open for a split second. If that entry pattern repeats, Haney has the vision and timing to exploit it, catching Norman on the way in before he can get to his preferred mid-range position.
Haney is not without flaws, evident on video. From his bow-and-arrow jab (right hand retracted) to his wide left hook, or his tendency to constantly lean to one side (usually the right) to avoid being hit, these habits leave openings. Norman’s ability to hit while his opponents are throwing punches will be a key factor in this matchup. His left hook after a jab, or step back, is particularly dangerous, capable of exploiting the opening that Haney often leaves when he punches and slightly lowers his right glove below his chin. Norman’s ability to combine his power with efficient movement, cut the ring, and use timing, gives him a real chance to outbox, outfight, and even knock out Haney.
The challenge for Norman is that he has not faced a style like the one Haney will present on Saturday.
Who Will Win?
Most punchers rely on having their feet planted to maximize power. Their mindset is simple: knock out the opponent. But when you face a mobile tactician with light feet and great ring intelligence, power alone is not enough. It only works if you can connect it. Norman has already shown that he is explosive and has a high level of athleticism. If he can combine that power with efficient movement to cut the ring and use timing, he has a real chance to outmaneuver, outfight, and even knock out Haney.
