Haney Says “All Comers” After WBO Win But Snubs Conor Benn

Devin Haney (33-0, 15 KOs) says he’s “taking on all comers” for his next fight after capturing the WBO welterweight title by beating champion Brian Norman Jr. (28-1, 22 KOs) on Saturday night at the Ring IV event at the ANB Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Haney won by a 12-round unanimous decision by the scores 114-113, 116-111, and 117-110.

(Credit: Queensberry/Leigh Dawney)

Protecting the Ryan Garcia Payday

When Haney was asked after the fight about his interest in  fighting Conor Benn next, he said, “Knock it off.” For Haney not to be interested in fighting Benn suggests that he wants to ensure that he doesn’t lose before getting the lucrative rematch with Ryan Garcia. It’s a wise thing because he might have massive problems against a puncher like Benn.

The tactic that Devin used to defeat Norman Jr. tonight, holding frequently, wouldn’t likely be effective against Benn. He’s smart and would find a way to deal with that strategy. His father, Nigel Benn, would come up with a tactic to counteract being grabbed all night in every round, like Haney used as his primary strategy to defeat Norman Jr.

“I wanted to take on the best guy so I could be the guy in the division,” said Haney to Secondsout after his win over Brian Norman Jr. on Saturday night. “A lot of people doubted me and wrote me off. But I just used it as fuel and motivation. They made me believe how dangerous he was. So, I believed them.

Norman Jr. Neutralized, Literally

“My dad put together a great game plan, and I executed it, and it showed in the ring. I knew he was a sucker for a left hook. I saw him get hurt with a left hook.

Bill Haney has said that Devin would “neutralize” Norman Jr’s offense before the fight, and he wasn’t joking. Devin resembled a Greco-Roman wrestler tonight, grabbing and grappling Norman Jr. whenever he came in proximity. He not only neutralized Norman Jr’s offense, but he did a fair job of shutting down his own, landing a mere 70 punches of 271 thrown in the entire fight.

“All Comers” — With Conditions

“We’re taking on all comers. It doesn’t matter who it is. Whoever my dad says he wants me to fight, that’s who I’m going to fight,” said Haney to DAZN Boxing when asked who he wants to fight next following his win over Norman Jr.

Ryan Garcia is the only one, besides Norman Jr., that Devin has been talking about wanting to fight since moving up to 147. The division is limited in terms of viable opponents for money fights for Devin, unless Turki Alalshikh wants to offer him big money to fight guys like Manny Pacquiao, Rolando ‘Rolly’ Romero, and Jack Catterall.