Brian Norman Jr will put his welterweight title on the line against Devin Haney, and leading into the bout he talks to Chris Mannix about his journey through boxing which has led him all the way up to this point. Norman says he will show the world he’s a better fighter with better craft than he’s given credit for, and looks to show new dimensions to his game. Here’s some of what he had to say below.
Norman on what he expects people to think of him after his upcoming fight with Haney
“I just don’t know. I’m ready to see what the new story is now. I’ve been doubted my whole life so
I’m actually hoping they doubt me again. That’s what I’m hoping. I just want another challenge. I hope they throw somebody else at me and say ‘well, you can’t beat him’.
On whether he believes he’s ever fought someone on Haney’s level
“No, I wouldn’t say that. Sparring wise, I would say yes but real deal fight? No, I wouldn’t so. But that’s why I also love this fight as well. Great opponent, great step up, great resume behind him, background around him…”
On his improvement as a fighter
“As long as I keep fighting I will forever be improving. It’s always something to work on, I don’t care what it is. Whether it’s your jab is not sharp enough, your hands are not coming back, whatever the case may be. So we always working on something.
“Sometimes it’s not just physical technique, it could be a mental game as well. ‘Why do you zone out in certain situations? Why did you let that fighter breathe? You cut the ring off and trapped him but you let him go again.’ So it’s always something to work on.”
On what he expects to display in this Haney fight
“That what ya’ll thought was my weakness is actually my strength.”
