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Haney’s victory in a mighty clinch reveals the limits of what is possible in a clash with the leading fighters from the welterweight group

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Image: Eddie Hearn Blasts Haney’s “Boring” Norman Jr. Win as Turki Looks On, Saying Devin “Doesn’t Want to Engage”

Devin Haney’s victory over the No. 1 147-pounder, considered by some fans to be WBO welterweight champion Brian Norman Jr., last Saturday made Haney temporarily the top fighter in the division.

Norman Jr. was not a test

There are five welterweights in the division that Haney would have to do a lot more than just move and hold to beat. While clinch-based game plan which Devin used against Norman Jr. (28-1, 22 KO) was effective, this strategy would not be effective against the top predators in the division.

Beating these five takes more than just sticking to it:

  • Ryan Garcia
  • Karen Chukhadjian
  • Rolando “Rolly” Romero
  • Shakhram Giasov
  • Jack Catterall

There is a good chance that all five challengers will find a workaround if Devin decides to apply Norman Jr.’s exact fight plan against them. They are older than Brian Jr. and it takes more than just diving forward to beat welterweights.

No fighter can beat me on equal terms.” Haney said after his victory over Norman Jr. last Saturday. He added that he was a “level above” him, even though there was very little action in the fight due to the hold Devin used.

Haney (33-0, 15 KO) didn’t look like gold last Saturday in his defeat of Norman Jr. unanimous decision lasting 12 rounds, scores 114-113, 116-111 and 117-110.

We can say that Haney was better than Norman Jr., but that’s all we know for sure. He neutralized his offense by hanging on all night, but after that win he looked nothing like the No. 1 contender in the division.

Garcia’s left hook problem

During Devin’s loss to Ryan on April 20, 2024, he held on a lot early on and was stopped in round seven when he tried to catch him in the clinch. If Haney uses a hold in the second fight with Garcia, it could get him into trouble. Kingry’s compact, quick left hook is the perfect weapon for a fighter who often holds on like Haney does.

Until Devin cleans up the division, all we can say is that he is one of the sixth best fighters at 147 pounds. If some of the 140-pounders move up, he might not even make the top 10. There are some real talents at 140 right now who would quickly understand Haney’s fighting style and dominate him. If all he can do is hold and throw 70 punches in a fight, he won’t beat the top guys.

140 sharks are waiting

  • Keyshawn Davis
  • Teofimo Lopez
  • Emiliano Vargas
  • Subriel Mathias
  • Albert Puello
  • Jamaine Ortiz
  • Ernesto Mercado
  • Richardson Hitchins
  • Gabriel Valenzuela

Last update: 24/11/2025

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Sergei Gorokhov KO toppled after ring invasion in Turkey

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Image: Sergei Gorokhov KO Overturned After Ring Invasion in Turkey

Gorokhov (16-11-2) had already done damage with large shots, finishing Kalkan (7-0, 4 KO) with a spotless knockout that forced the referee to wave his hand. The task has been completed.

After being detained, Gorokhov walked to the opposite corner, where a fight began. That was enough. The cornermen ran inside, the voices became piercing, followed by punches. Within seconds, many people entered the ring.

The situation got out of the referee’s control. The horns could not be separated. Once the non-fighters make it through the ropes, the result will be written in the record books.

The footage showed flying chairs and people trading on ropes as security tried to take control of the situation. The recording shows objects thrown near the ropes. The announcements to stop the fight didn’t change anything. The ring is already gone.

The sanctioning authority has confined powers and the ruling follows standard procedure. When the ropes are broken and extra hands are involved, the score cannot stand and is removed from the scoresheet.

An investigation is ongoing and suspensions and penalties are expected once reports are submitted. The verdict now comes from the officials, not the blows that ended it.

Kalkan keeps his undefeated record in the books. Gorokhov leaves without the victory he earned. Disciplinary action is expected following the investigation.

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Oleksandr Usyk said he “can’t run away” from the newly emerged title challenger: “I will bully him”

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Oleksandr Usyk told that he ‘cannot run’ from newly emerged title contender: “I’ll bully him”

Although Oleksandr Usyk presented his three-fight plan, a recent challenger entered the fight with hopes of taking a shot at the Ukrainian and winning the unified world heavyweight titles.

Next month’s meeting with Dutch kickboxer Rico Verhoeven kicks off what Usyk envisioned as a series of three hand-picked fights before his planned retirement in 2027, with his next dance partner being the winner of Fabio Wardley vs. Daniel Dubois.

However, the WBC is expected to demand that Usyk fight mandatory challenger Agit Kabayel in his next fight, and promoter Frank Warren believes he will be stripped of his belt if he fails to face the undefeated German.

Meanwhile, the WBA and IBF titles are not on the line against Verhoeven, which has fight fans wondering whether Usyk could soon be stripped of those belts as well.

Although if Usyk defends the WBA crown, Jarrell Miller will be waiting for him after him on Saturday evening he defeated Lenier Pero in the WBA eliminator final rise to title contention.

I’m talking to Fighting Hub TV after “Gigantic Baby” won, he told Usyk that there was nowhere to run or hide when fighting him.

“He’s a great fighter, man, but when you’re fighting a bully like me, there’s nowhere to run or hide. Usyk doesn’t really have crazy punching power, and he has trouble with guys who punch to the body and throw a lot of punches.”

This performance [against Pero] it was just a taste of what I could do. So the most essential thing is to go back and get the drawing board back. Let’s work and be ready for everyone.

I want Usyk to come back after the Rico fight and I can spank him.

If Usyk loses the WBA title, Miller could find himself in line for a title fight with current WBA Regular titleholder Murat Gassiew, who expected to be promoted to full champion. Although Moses Itauma would probably get the first shot at the proposed scrap with the Russian.

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David Benavidez has no room for error in the fight against Ramirez

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Image: David Benavidez Has No Room for Error vs Ramirez

Benavidez enters Saturday’s fight with Gilberto Ramirez in a situation where even a tiny defeat may have a higher price than one defeat in history. Greater opportunities lie ahead, but those plans depend on beating Ramirez cleanly and leaving Las Vegas intact.

Benavidez will meet Ramirez on May 2 in Las Vegas in a fight for Ramirez’s WBA and WBO cruiserweight titles for $79.99. On paper, this is a bold move as Benavidez makes the jump from lightweight heavyweight to challenge an established titleholder who has already established himself in the division.

The pressure on Benavidez goes far beyond physical titles. For months, his name has been linked to huge opportunities at 175 pounds, most notably a clash with Dmitry Bivol. A loss to Ramirez would immediately derail those plans, forcing Benavidez into a rebuilding phase and delaying any significant career moves for the foreseeable future.

Winning in an ugly or narrow way can still invite skepticism. Benavidez is known for his constant pressure and high efficiency, and recently he has had a record of immaculate shots and has been forced to persevere in hard moments. Facing naturally larger opponents makes these defensive mistakes much more steep in the long run.

Ramirez may lack elite strength, but he has the experience and durability of a seasoned cruiserweight. He also enters the ring with much less weight on his shoulders than the challenger. All the pressure to perform rests entirely on Benavidez.

Therefore, the risk for Benavidez is much higher than for the man holding the belts. A victory will ensure that his path to mass fights remains clear, while any other result could immediately ruin his momentum and force him to spend time fighting Ramirez again. Getting stuck twice in the Ramirez fight would be a nightmare for Benavidez.

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