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

Troy Easley, Devin Haney’s sparring partner, predicts he will frustrate Brian Norman Jr. with his move and beat him by decision on November 22.

Isles says Haney reminded him of Floyd Mayweather Jr. at times. He did not mention which version of Floyd he reminded him of.

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

“He reminded me of Floyd.”

“He’s not the biggest boxer, “But punching isn’t everything,” Troy Easley told MillCity Boxing about Devin Haney, expressing his thoughts after facing him. “It’s about skill. “He did some things that reminded me of Floyd.”

It’s about power. Devin’s lack of punch power will hurt him against Norman Jr. because he won’t be able to put him away by just moving or throwing punches.

Haney doesn’t fight anything 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 consistent fighter for the remaining 11 years of his career before retiring in 2017. Haney has more in common with Shakur Stevenson than he did with Mayweather.

“Devin is a great fighter. He’s got a good jab, great distance. Yeah, I do,” Easley said when asked if he thinks Haney is on his way to becoming a legend. He’s very fast. “I feel like when I start hanging out with guys, my weight is going to be nothing,” Easley said.

Norman Jr. can’t be kept away forever

Hani’s problem is that he maintains a large distance between himself and his opponents. He didn’t let Jose Ramirez get close to him last May, treating him like a knockout artist rather than a slow, aging fighter. Devin will have to get more involved against Norman Jr. if he wants to win on November 22.

great? not yet. Not close

Isley calling Haney a “great fighter” goes a little further. Unless we lower the bar on what it means to be a “great fighter,” Devin is nowhere near that. He’s hardly a good fighter. To be good, you have to be willing to stand up and fight. We haven’t seen 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.

Easley predicts Haney will “knock him out 10 to 12 rounds,” which leaves Norman Jr. frustrated. He says Devin won’t let Norman use his power to get away from him. Troy predicts Haney will win the decision, possibly knocking out Norman Jr.