Haney Will “Box Out” Norman Jr., Says Sparring Partner Isley

Devin Haney’s sparring partner, Troy Isley, predicts that he’s going to frustrate Brian Norman Jr. with his movement and will defeat him by a decision on November 22nd.

Isleys says Haney reminded him of Floyd Mayweather Jr. at times. He didn’t say which version of Floyd he reminded him off.

The 5’10” middleweight Isley says Haney (32-0, 16 KOs) was bigger than him during their sparring sessions. This confirms what many believe about Devin being a weight bully.

“He Reminded me of Floyd”

“He’s not the biggest puncher, but punching ain’t everything,” said Troy Isley to MillCity Boxing about Devin Haney, giving his thoughts after having sparred him. “It’s about skill. He did a couple of things that reminded me of Floyd.”

It is about power. Devin’s lack of punching power is going to hurt him against Norman Jr because he’s not going to be able to keep him off by just moving or throwing jabs.

Haney fights nothing like Floyd Mayweather Jr. did during his career. The difference in hand speed is huge. Floyd Jr. was willing to stand in front of his opponents, block shots, and counter-punch.

Mayweather stopped being a mover when he was booed during his fight against Carlos Baldomir on November 4, 2006. After that fight, Floyd became a stationary fighter for the remaining 11 years of his career before retiring in 2017. Haney has more in common with Shakur Stevenson than he did Mayweather.

“Devin is a great fighter. He’s got a good jab, and great distance. Yes, I do,” said Isley when asked if he believes Haney is on his way to being a legend. He’s so fast. I feel like when I start dealing with guys my weight, it’s not going to be nothing,” said Isley.

Norman Jr. Can’t Be Kept Away Forever

Haney’s problem is he’s keeping way too much distance between him and his opponents. He didn’t let Jose Ramirez anywhere near him last May, treating him like a knockout artist instead a slow, older fighter. Devin is going to have to engage a lot more against Norman Jr. if he wants to win on November 22nd.

Great? Not Yet. Not Close

Isley calling Haney a “great fighter” is going a bit far. Unless we lower the bar for what it means to be a “great fighter,” Devin is nowhere near that. He’s barely reaching the good fighter grade. To be good, you have to be willing to stand and fight. We didn’t see that in any of Devin’s fights since he fought Joseph Diaz in 2021. That was the last time he stood in the pocket and stayed there.

Isley predicts that Haney will “box him out 10 to 12 rounds,” making Norman Jr. frustrated. He says Devin won’t let Norman use his power by staying from him. Troy predicts Haney will win a decision, and possibly knock out Norman Jr.