Brian Norman’s sparring partner, Elijah Flores, who also sparred with Devin Haney, picks Norman Jr. (28-0, 22 KO) to win the fight on November 22 in Riyad.
Cheating at the gym
Haney’s sparring partner turns against him. Flores says WBO welterweight champion Norman’s strength, athleticism, “nasty hook” and ability to cut through the ring will be a factor in him defeating Haney (32-0, 16 KO). He says that to win a fight you have to be able to stay in the pocket against Norman Jr. and he doesn’t believe Haney can do it.
Norman Jr-Haney will fight in the co-slot on the David Benavidez vs. Anthony Yarde card at the ANB Arena in Riyad, Saudi Arabia. The event will be broadcast live on DAZN PPV. The price for US fans is $59.99.
“I’m 60-40, Brian Norman. He’s athletic, good ring cutter, robust, swift and a nasty hook,” Elijah Flores said to MillCity Boxingselecting Brian Norman Jr. to defeat Devin Haney. “He’s able to get there. His feet match his hands.”
Norman Jr. has the advantage of reach, the ability to cut through the ring, and a jab that feels like a powerful punch. Haney will have no escape if he tries to escape. Basically it has two options:
Stand and fight: Devin’s survival may be measured in minutes, but at least he will show courage before he meets his end.
Start: It’s a coward’s way and it won’t work. Norman Jr. it will catch up with him quickly.
Flores sees what Haney cannot
“For sure,” Flores replied when asked if he got more out of sparring with Norman Jr. than from sparring with Haney. “I think when it comes to a real fight, you have to be able to sit there. You have to be able to stay there. And I don’t see Haney staying there, not one bit. And I think that will favor Brian Norman.”
Elijah brings up some good points. Devin will not stay in the pocket and fight Norman Jr. because he will be very vigilant in case he gets hit. As Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn recently stated to FightHype, “Bill doesn’t want to get hit. they are concerned about its impact resistance. That’s true.”
So Haney’s Jerry-esque performance in his final fight against Jose Ramirez on May 2 in Fresh York’s Times Square reflects that Bill “cares about [Devin] get hit.”
This means Haney will fight Norman Jr. even more often. than in the Ramirez fight. Has to. It will be suicide if Dev gets up and fights Norman Jr because he can’t last three minutes. The bombs that Brian Jr. dropped his last opponent, Jin Sasaki, on June 19, they will likely destroy Haney much quicker than five rounds for the Japanese fighter.
Ken Woods was a senior writer in Boxing News 24 since 2013, covering sports from every angle. With years of reporting from the ring, he delivers fight news, results and analysis that cuts through the noise. Ken’s work consistently focuses on champions, challengers and prospects, giving fans a piercing and educated view of the global boxing scene.
The star fighter, who has made an astonishing 15 defenses of his welterweight world title, supported himself in a fantastic showdown with Terence Crawford.
He had previously won seven straight 147-pound world titles, all through stoppages, but he could only cement his position as top dog by dethroning Spence.
Not only did he defeat “The Truth” and win his three world titles, but Crawford secured a surprisingly one-sided defeat over nine rounds.
After that career-defining moment, the American became the undisputed three-division champion, moving up to 168 pounds to dethrone Canelo Alvarez.
However, at welterweight, Crawford managed to produce some of his best performances, perhaps striking the perfect balance between being vigorous and impressively fit.
Another man who has had considerable success at 147 pounds is, of course, Felix Trinidad, who reigned as the IBF world champion for almost seven years.
Two of his greatest victories came against Oscar De La Hoya and Pernell Whitaker, who both went on to create Hall of Fame careers in their own right.
It is therefore natural that “Tito” sees his chances in a direct fight with Crawford, saying: Fighting Hub TV that he would give “Bud” his only professional flaw.
“With all due respect to Crawford…Tito Trinidad – I will win.”
While no fighter has been able to answer Crawford’s mystery, it is equally safe and sound to say that the former five-division world champion has never faced someone like Trinidad.
Raizd announced the deal on Instagram on Monday, posting: “Official: Robeisy ‘El Tren’ Ramirez signs with RAIZD BOXING. World-class addition. Former WBO World Featherweight Champion. Two-time Olympic gold medalist. Welcome to the team, Robeisy.”
For a startup that is still building its name, this is a robust impulse. For everyone else, it encourages questions. There has been no evident move from Zuffa Boxing, Matchroom Boxing, Golden Boy Promotions or other major teams that often pursue recognizable talent.
When a two-time Gold Medalist hits the open market and the Massive Four don’t pull the trigger. Raizd Boxing is basically a ghost ship right now. They are so modern that they haven’t even held their first event yet.
As for why the giants have stayed away, it probably comes down to a combination of time, shelf life and the ongoing business changes many of these companies are making.
At 126 pounds, 32 is on the older side. Promoters are notoriously wary of small-time fighters who have just had a career-changing break. Perhaps they would prefer to wait and see if he has anything left before signing him to an high-priced multi-fight contract.
While Dana White is finally taking action, Zuffa is aggressively targeting younger, buzz-worthy talent like Edgar Berlanga and Richardson Hitchins. Ramirez is 32 years aged and had a brutal knockout loss to Rafael Espinoza in December. Zuffa could see him as a veteran of damaged goods rather than a fundamental piece of their launch.
Ramirez may not have the same shine he had when he fled Cuba or when he beat Shakur Stevenson in the amateurs, but fighters with that kind of experience rarely hit the open market.
His recent form likely played a role. Ramirez is 14-3 with nine knockouts and has lost two of his last three fights, with both losses coming to Rafael Espinoza, including a stoppage in the rematch. At 32 years aged, he is no longer a long-term project that can be slowly developed.
Still, there is a clear advantage if handled properly. Ramirez remains a talented southpaw with the pedigree, experience and enough reputational value to quickly become relevant again at featherweight or above. If it combines wins, larger promoters may regret letting startup Raizd make the first move.
This marks the 27-year-old’s first victory since 2023, when he edged Oscar Duarte in the eighth round before his controversial fight with Devin Haney.
Despite a majority decision advantage over Haney, that result was declared a no-contest in April 2024 after “King Ry” tested positive for the banned substance ostarine.
Benn also failed a 2022 drug test ahead of his canceled fight against Chris Eubank Jr, whom he ultimately defeated in a middleweight rematch last November.
This followed a points defeat to Eubank in April 2025, although earlier this month Benn remained in the win column, ahead of Regis Prograis, who subsequently announced his retirement.
However, despite his last fight at 150 pounds, the 29-year-old now wants to capitalize on his No. 1 ranking in the WBC and fight Garcia.
I’m talking to ESNEWSformer two-division world champion Bradley gave Benn little more than a prayer against Garcia.
“Ryan knocks him out.”
As the top contender for the WBC welterweight title, Benn is expected to be ordered to fight Garcia in the not-too-distant future, even if ongoing negotiations fail.
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