By Graham Ilford: Brian Norman Jr’s dad, Brian Sr., says that Devin Haney is “cooked food” in their fight on November 22nd in Riyadh. He mentions that the bold talk that Devin (32-0, 16 KOs) was doing, sounding like he was on his hind legs, saying, “Judgment Day Is Coming” in his clash against WBO welterweight champion Norman Jr. (28-0, 22 KOs)
Haney Jr. seems really confident going into the match at the ANB Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He’s coming off a big win over Jose Ramirez on May 2, 2025. That victory has him believing he’s going to beat Norman Jr. and show him that there are “levels” to the game.
“Cooked Food” Warning from Brian Sr.
“He’s cooked food after this anyway. He’s going to get beat the f*** up,” said Brian Norman Sr. to MillCity Boxing about what’s going to happen to Devin Haney when he challenges WBO welterweight champion Brian Norman Jr. in 20 days on November 22nd, 2025. “He was talking real big.
“He was talking like he’s going to step. He’s talking like he’s going to really try to get active. I was looking at his sparring partners he got. I was even looking at Troy [Isley],” said Norman Sr., talking about how Haney is sounding during his interview on the Ariel Helwani show, like he’s going to fight aggressively against Brian Jr.
Big Riyadh Payday, Bigger Expectations
Given that Haney is being paid millions by Turki Alalshikh on his Riyadh Season card, he should fight with conviction against Norman Jr. It would be bad for Haney if he turns in a performance like he did against Jose Ramirez earlier this year on May 2 at Times Square in New York.
“You’ve got Elijah Flores, and he said, ‘He’s one of the best he’s ever been with,’ and Devin wasn’t that. You’ve even got Troy saying, ‘Devin don’t hit like that. He’s smaller,’” said Norman Sr.
It doesn’t require Haney’s recent sparring partner, Elijah Flores, to say that he doesn’t possess power. Anyone can see that Devin doesn’t have pop in his punches. That’s why he’s forced to hold frequently and move to keep from getting beaten up.
When Haney deviated from his typical, careful style of fighting in his bout against Ryan Garcia on April 20, 2024, it was disastrous for him. He was dropped three times and hurt repeatedly in rounds 1, 7, 10, and 11.
There’s no mystery about what Haney’s game plan will be against Norman Jr. on November 22nd. He’s going to jab, move, hold, and throw single pot shots. If that doesn’t work for Haney, he’ll be knocked out.
Graham Ilford is a veteran boxing columnist who returned to writing after a decade-long hiatus. Known for his sardonic tone and dry humor, he examines promoters, fighters, and the business of the sport with the perspective of someone who has watched every era of hype repeat itself.
Last Updated on 11/02/2025
