Split image of Roy Jones Jr. flexing his muscles and Evander Holyfield walking in ring in black and white with inset of Brian Norman Jr. raising his hands in victory. Credit: Ronald C. Modra/The Ring Magazine/Steve Marcus via Getty Images

‘I’m the best’… Devin Haney’s next opponent explains why he is compared to Evander Holyfield and Roy Jones Jr

Originally posted on Bloody Knockout | By Donal Long | Last updated Jul 30, 2025 1:25 PM ET

Devin Haney will face one of the biggest challenges of his career in his next fight as he once again moves up a weight class.

Haney will take on Brian Norman Jr., as the pair will compete for the WBO World Welterweight title on November 22nd, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The knockout artist Norman Jr. will aim to defend his 147 lbs belt for the third time when he faces Haney.

If confidence is anything to go off, then it will be hard to write Norman Jr. off. In a recent interview, Norman Jr. explained why he is already being compared to the greats.

Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images

Brian Norman Jr. explains why he gets compared to the likes of Evander Holyfield, Roy Jones Jr.

In a recent interview with B High TV, Norman Jr. was asked to explain his boxing style to begin the discussion.

“Very, very well-rounded,” Norman Jr. started by saying. “Actually, I get a whole lot of comparisons with Evander Holyfield. So, Evander Holyfield in my younger years, [and] I used to say Roy Jones all the time.”

Going into the technical abilities that he feels draws these comparisons, the welterweight champion did not have a short list. “I’m just very well-rounded. Whatever I need to beat you, I can do that.

“I can brawl with you, I can box with you, I can counter-punch with you, I got speed, I got power, I got my feet moving, I got defense.”

Norman Jr. concluded his point by saying, “Literally, I’m the best of everything.”

Brian Norman Jr. explains his personal feelings towards Devin Haney

Norman Jr. was asked later in his interview with B High TV about how he personally felt about his undefeated opponent, Haney.

The fighter was asked if he needed to dislike Haney to get in the right headspace to fight him. Norman Jr. replied, “No, I was going to knock him out anyway.”

In terms of his feelings towards the youngest undisputed world champion Haney, Norman Jr. said, “I respect him as a fighter. I say that no matter what… He’s done a lot of great things in boxing.”

However, it was not all positive from Norman Jr. The welterweight champion went on to say, “I don’t like how they be moving, how they be operating… They be on a whole bunch of funny business. So I got to send these boys out of the boxing game. They’re messing up my sport.”

This article first appeared on Bloody Knockout and was syndicated with permission.

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