Abel Sanchez predicts that the pressure that WBO welterweight champion Brian Norman Jr. applies to Devin Haney is going to wear him down, forcing “him to think” the entire time on Saturday night on November 22nd.
(Credit: Queensberry/Leigh Dawney)
With Norman Jr’s punching power, it’s going to put Haney (32-0, 16 KOs) under the gun, dealing with constant bombardment in every round. Sanchez points out that Devin hasn’t faced this kind of fighter with the combination of power and athleticism that the 24-year-old Norman Jr. (28-0, 22 KOs) will bring to this fight.
Haney has fought many older guys who were on their last legs, and often smaller than him, such as Jose Ramirez, Vasily Lomachenko, and Regis Prograis.
“I think the pressure that he’s going to put on Devin is going to get to Devin. He’s going to be a little bit more athletic than some of the guys Devin has fought. [Jose] Ramirez was a little bit older when he fought him in his last fight,” said trainer Abel Sanchez to Seconds Out about the better-known Devin Haney, with pressure on him.
Haney is well aware that he’s the guy who’s been in the public eye much longer. During the build-up to this fight, he’s repeatedly mentioned that he has more experience than Norman Jr. He makes it a point to let fans know that he’s not familiar with any of Brian Jr’s past opponents.
He’s the one under pressure, as he’s facing a belt-holder with no marketability or name recognition. As such, Haney has more to lose, especially with the Ryan Garcia rematch being dangled over his head. That fight is a virtual goldmine waiting to happen. If Haney gets blasted to the outer region of the universe by Norman Jr, the Ryan rematch goes bye-bye.
“I think the fact that Brian is a little younger, a little fresher, with no pressure on him. The pressure that he’s going to apply to Devin. He’s not going to let him think. He’s going to be on him like white on rice. I see either a controversial decision or a dramatic knockout by Brian Norman,” said Sanchez.
When Abel mentions “controversial decision,” he’s likely talking about it going in favor of Haney. Hopefully, we don’t see an ugly controversy that taints this fight because it’s the one that boxing fans are most looking forward to seeing.
If what Sanchez is saying translates to Norman Jr. needing a knockout to win, it’s pathetic. There have been fans questioning whether Norman Jr. can win a decision during the build-up, given the big fights available for Devin if he wins against these fighters:
- Ryan Garcia – rematch
- Conor Benn
- Teofimo Lopez
Last Updated on 11/19/2025
