Boxing
Where did the wild spark go?
“I can only take what’s coming my way,” Norman told Ring magazine when asked about the bigger names being discussed in the division. “I’m pretty sure these guys will still be here when that time comes.”
Norman concluded his response by stating that he would address matters on May 16 and then accept whatever was proposed after that date.
“Whatever is put on the table next, I’ll take it. I don’t care who it is.”
That loss to Devin Haney in November stripped him of his WBO title and appears to have stripped away some of his fighting spirit as well. This is a complete 180 from the “Savage” personality he brought to Saudi Arabia.
When Malik Scott insisted on naming names, his broken spirit was likely a lingering effect of the reality check Haney handed him.
Getting dropped in the second round and then being chased around the ring for 12 rounds by a guy most people thought was damaged after the Ryan Garcia fight has to be a huge psychological blow.
The May 16 fight with Josh Wagner is textbook matchmaking for a fighter whose confidence is in the basement. Wagner is a solid enough professional, but he’s not in the same stratosphere as the names Norman previously dismissed.
Norman is a huge 1/20 favorite. This fight is about a knockout so he can remember what victory feels like.
It’s irritating to hear a teenage player who was once so vocal suddenly seem content to just “take whatever’s on the table.” In boxing, this is usually code for “I’m not sure I belong at the top yet.”
If he fights Wagner at all in Norfolk, or even if he wins but looks unsure, this assertive and confident version of Brian Norman Jr. may disappear for good.
May 16 will be less about Josh Wagner and more about Norman proving to himself and his coach that the Haney loss hasn’t permanently damaged him.
The version of Norman Jr. we saw in Riyad was unrecognizable from the guy who annihilated Giovani Santillan. When Haney dropped him in the second, it seemed like the “Savage” personality immediately evaporated and was replaced by a warrior who was in survival mode.
Watching the octopus separate from Haney was definitely frustrating, but the real problem: Norman Jr. he didn’t have the dog in him tonight to fight it. Instead of using his strength to push Haney away or work his body during the hold, he simply stood there and allowed Haney to neutralize his attacks over and over again.
This defeated energy is precisely why Wagner’s fight on May 16 is so blatantly planned. If Norman Jr. he was afraid to push a guy like Haney, who isn’t exactly known as a devastating one-punch KO artist, which is a huge red flag when he finally faces a real puncher like Ennis or even a heavy-handed Benn.
In boxing, when a fighter’s invincibility is destroyed and he shows his timidity, it is rarely a one-off event. It usually becomes a novel plan for each opponent.
The fight in Norfolk is clearly a test for his team to see if they can find the missing aggression in a low-risk environment. Wagner has ten knockouts, but he won’t demand respect like a top-flight elite would.
If Norman Jr. comes out on May 16 and is still uncertain, waiting for Wagner to lead or fail to initiate exchanges, then we will know for sure that the fight with Haney cost him not only the belt, but also his fighting identity.
It’s one thing to lose a decision, but it’s another thing entirely to lose an edge and start sounding like you’re just ecstatic to be there.
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LIVE COVERAGE
World Boxing News provides live results and updates from George Liddard’s European middleweight title clash with Dario Morello at the Copper Box Arena in London.
The undefeated Liddard faces the biggest test of his career against experienced Italian Morello, with the vacant European middleweight championship on the line.
Three other vacant titles will be decided on the card as Jimmy Sains, Emmanuel Buttigieg and Tiah Mai Ayton attempt to take the next step in their careers.
Live Scorecard –George Liddard vs. Dario Morello
Live Results
Times are local BST
19:45
Tiah Mai Ayton won the vacant Commonwealth featherweight title in a solid display against Ellie Hellewell. The Hellewell corner called off the fight after six completed rounds as Ayton made it seven straight wins as a pro and pushed towards world honors.
18:52
Connor Mitchell gets four useful rounds under his belt with a 39-37 points victory over Caine Singh.
Singh made him work for it, but the all-action Mitchell did enough to get his hand raised.
18:16
Louie Ward moved to 3-0 with a dominant performance, stopping Jon Martinez in the third round.
Ward was in control throughout before forcing the finish to secure another impressive victory.
17:42
Ioan Croft dropped Tomas Reynoso early on before seeing out a sixth round victory. The referee waved the fight off with just over a minute left of the round.
17:10
Harley Burrows opened the show with a first round stoppage of Carlos Ronner. Burrows pinned Ronner on the ropes and waded in until the referee halted the contest.
TV Coverage and Remaining Bouts
United Kingdom: DAZN
- George Liddard vs. Dario Morello – Vacant European Middleweight Title (12)
- Jimmy Sains vs. Tom Cowling – Vacant Commonwealth Middleweight Title (12)
- Emmanuel Buttigieg vs. P A Gordon – Vacant English Middleweight Title (10)
Preview
Liddard enters his first European title fight with a perfect 14-0 record as the 24-year-old attempts to continue his rapid rise through the middleweight division.
Morello brings considerably more experience at 26-1 and arrives in London undefeated since 2019.
The event takes place at the Copper Box Arena in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing promoting the card.
About the Author
Phil Jay is the Editor-in-Chief of World Boxing News (WBN), a BWAA-acknowledged boxing news website founded in 2010. A veteran boxing reporter with 16 years of experience, he has interviewed world champions, broken international exclusives, and reported ringside from major events. His work is published worldwide through WBN and distributed on platforms including Apple News.
Read Phil Jay’s full bio and latest stories.
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