Promoter Eddie Hearn reiterated today that Devin Haney’s performance against WBO welterweight champion Brian Norman Jr. was “pretty boring” for him to look at last Saturday night in Riyadh.
Hearn points out that Haney (33-0, 15 KOs) had Norman Jr. (28-1, 22 KOs) hurt “quite a couple of times,” and he could have gone for the knockout. As a substitute, he fought in a safety-first manner, jabbing and holding lots. Devin won by a 12-round unanimous decision, nevertheless it left him open to criticism.
“I didn’t find that exciting to look at. Devin is a hell of a fighter and difficult to beat. I just don’t think for the time being that he’s superb to look at,” said Matchroom boss Eddie Hearn to The Stomping Ground about Devin Haney after sitting through his performance against Brian Norman Jr. last weekend.
Hearn compares Haney’s performance unfavorably to super flyweight champion Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez, who fought on the undercard against Fernando Martinez. He notes that ‘Bam’ was attacking nonstop in going for a knockout. Devin fought nothing like him.
“It was the identical comment from everyone else I used to be sitting near. But that’s how Devin fights now,” said Hearn. “I feel Devin up at 147 is lots more powerful and dangerous than he thinks he’s. Norman was hurt badly. He was actually hurt and buzzed quite a couple of times. So for me, Devin could step on the gas there and stop him.”
When Norman began pressuring Haney within the fourth, that’s when the holding began. Devin went right into a prevent defense mode and stayed that way for the rest of the competition. The look on Turki Alalahikh’s face within the front row throughout the fight was priceless. He looked unhappy, non-smiling, arms folded, and the looks of somebody not pleased with what he was watching.
“He could have stopped Brian Norman and looked sensational. What he did was be smart in there, get behind the jab. There was lots of holding. I used to be watching as a fan, and I discovered it pretty boring,” said Hearn about Haney’s effort.
Last Updated on 11/27/2025