Devin Haney (33-0, 15 KO) says yes “accepting all comers” will fight his next fight after winning the WBO welterweight title by defeating champion Brian Norman Jr. (28-1, 22 KO) on Saturday evening at Ring IV at the ANB Arena in Riyad, Saudi Arabia. Haney won by unanimous decision over 12 rounds, scores of 114-113, 116-111 and 117-110.

(Source: Queensberry/Leigh Dawney)

Protecting Ryan Garcia’s paycheck

When Haney was asked after the fight if he was interested in fighting Conor Benn again, he replied: “Throw it away.” To keep Haney interested in fighting, Benn suggests he wants to make sure he doesn’t lose before his lucrative rematch with Ryan Garcia. That’s a intelligent decision because he could have a lot of trouble against a hitter like Benn.

The tactics Devin used tonight to beat Norman Jr. and used it often, it probably wouldn’t have been effective against Benn. He is intelligent and would find a way to deal with this strategy. His father, Nigel Benn, came up with a tactic to counter grabbing throughout the night in every round, just as Haney used as his primary strategy to defeat Norman Jr.

“I wanted to face the best fighter so I could be that guy in the division,” Haney said Second exit after his victory over Brian Norman Jr. on Saturday evening. “A lot of people doubted me and wrote me off. But I used it as fuel and motivation. They made me believe how risky he was. So I believed them.”

Norman Jr. Neutralized, literally

“My dad had a great game plan and I executed it and it showed in the ring. I knew he had a weakness for the left hook. I saw him get hurt by a left hook.”

Bill Haney said Devin would do it “neutralize” Norman Jr. Attack before the fight and he wasn’t kidding. Devin resembled a Greco-Roman wrestler tonight, grabbing and tugging at Norman Jr. whenever he got near. Not only did he neutralize Norman Jr.’s attack, but he did a good job of stopping his own, landing just 70 punches out of 271 thrown throughout the fight.

“Everyone is willing” – with conditions

“We accept all comers. It doesn’t matter who it is. Whoever my dad says he wants me to fight, that’s who I’m going to fight,” Haney said DAZN Boxing when asked who he wants to fight next after his victory over Norman Jr.

Apart from Norman Jr. only Ryan Garcia, who Devin says he wants to fight since moving up to 147 pounds. The division is restricted in terms of potential cash fight opponents for Devin unless Turki Alalshikh is willing to offer him substantial money to fight the likes of Manny Pacquiao, Rolando “Rolly” Romero and Jack Catterall.