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Devin Haney is the new WBO welterweight champion. Thanks to a final knockdown in the second round and a dominant punch in just over half the fight, Haney earned a unanimous victory over Brian Norman Jr.
Haney landed a powerful left hook that hurt Norman in the second frame. When the latter was dazed, Haney followed up with a crushing right hand that dropped Norman. Here’s a look at the knockdown.
As Norman got up, he spent the remainder of the round and most of the next two frames regaining his resources. From the fifth round, Norman made the fight interesting.
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – NOVEMBER 22: Devin Haney poses with his team after defeating Brian Norman Jr. by unanimous decision in a WBO world title welterweight bout at Ring IV: Night of the Champions at ANB Arena on November 22, 2025 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)
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Haney seemed to slow down during the fight until the 12th, when he came out with more juice for the final round than Norman. Haney’s performance in the round was the difference in the fight on one judge’s scorecard. Judge Mike Fitzgerald scored the fight 114-113 for Haney. That was the exact score I had during the fight.
I thought Haney and Norman both won six rounds each and the difference in the fight was the knockdown.
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – NOVEMBER 22: (L-R) Devin Haney punches Brian Norman Jr. in a WBO world title welterweight bout at Ring IV: Night of the Champions at ANB Arena on November 22, 2025 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)
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In the rounds Haney won, and even in the rounds Norman claimed on my card, the former’s jab kept the latter at bay. The blow made Norman’s success a little quieter than Haney’s, according to the scorecards of Leszek Jankowiak (116-111) and Gerardo Martinez (117-110).
After the scorecards were read, Norman, whose face looked worse for wear, had no problem with the judges’ decision. This was by far Haney’s best performance since dominating Regis Prograis in December 2023.
Norman seemed too slow and his lack of head movement was his biggest problem. Haney’s upstroke landed with the consistency of sunrise. Norman’s upper body remained far too stationary, making it difficult for him to go the distance for stretches.
When he was successful, Haney was able to escape without the hard puncher being able to pile on the damage.
What’s next for Haney? Conor Benn was in attendance and he could see a shot at the WBO title against Haney. Benn said he wasn’t impressed with Haney’s performance, but there’s no doubt the two stars could be a big asset in 2026.
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