Bradley Blasts Haney For Mocking Brian Norman Jr. As ‘Bum’

Tim Bradley believes Devin Haney is making a mistake downgrading WBO welterweight champion Brian Norman Jr., calling him a “bum” ahead of their fight in 12 days on November 22 in Riyadh.

The oddsmakers don’t view Norman Jr. as a “bum,” as they’ve installed him as the favorite in the fight. Still, the former two-division world champion Haney, 26, may not get full credit for a win over Norman Jr. because he’s not well-known by casual boxing fans.

The hardcore fans obviously know him well, but the casual fans may not. The 24-year-old Norman Jr. hasn’t been around long enough, and the only notable win on his seven-year pro resume is against Giovani Santillan. That fight wasn’t a headliner. It was on the undercard of Emanuel Navarrete vs. Denys Berinchyk on May 18, 2024.

Norman Jr. the Dark Horse

“You’re calling your opponent a ‘Bum,’ that’s crazy. If you win this fight, you don’t want no credit for this?” said Tim Bradley on his channel, reacting to Devin Haney labeling WBO welterweight champion Brian Norman Jr. a ‘Bum.’ “You’re fighting a dark horse [Norman Jr.] with nothing to lose and everything to gain. All the pressure is on you, Haney.

Three-Division Stakes, One Risk

Devin may not care if he doesn’t get full credit for beating Norman Jr. The important thing is that he’ll become a three-division world champion, hold the WBO 147-lb title, and it’ll open the door to a lucrative rematch with Ryan Garcia.

Haney will make a lot of money in that fight with Kingry, as that’s the one that he’s been waiting on for the last year and a half since losing to him on April 20, 2024.

Haney (32-0, 16 KOs) is trying to get a mental edge against the ultra-confident Norman Jr. (28-0, 22 KOs). It just hasn’t worked. His attempts to undermine the WBO champion’s self-belief have been ineffective.

Norman Jr. carries himself like a person who just knows he’s going to punch holes through Haney and be victorious in their fight on November 22nd at the ANB Arena in Riyadh.

Bradley Predicts Déjà Vu

“Haney, you’re getting on your bike when you feel those thumpers, bro. Brian Norman Jr. is not coming in there to box,” Bradley said. “He’s going to power box your a**. When you get caught with that left hook again, you’re going to be taken down memory lane. It’s going to be Ryan Garcia all over again.”

Bradley’s prediction of Haney getting on his “bike” when he feels Norman Jr’s power could come true. Haney isn’t going to stand and trade with Norman Jr. because he has too much power for him to fight that way. His only chance of winning is by moving, staying on the outside, throwing strictly jabs, and holding a lot.

In the clinch, Haney will likely hit Norman Jr. on the side of the head, and then look to nail him immediately with a shot when the referee breaks them.