Brian Norman Jr agrees to defend WBO welterweight title against Devin Haney this year

WBO welterweight king Brian Norman Jr has told Boxing News that he is willing to put his coveted world title on the line against Devin Haney after being offered the chance to tackle the former super-lightweight champion.

The unbeaten American extended his record to 28-0 with a comprehensive stoppage win over Jin Sasaki in Tokyo earlier this month, needing just five rounds to lay out the Oriental and Asia-Pacific title-holder.

Victory over the 23-year-old was always likely to secure Norman Jr a higher-profile affair later this year, and so it's proved with a blockbuster showdown with Haney now seemingly in the pipeline for Saudi Arabia this autumn.

At 24, the Georgian is the youngest world champion in the sport and will look to further enhance his rapidly growing reputation in what is undoubtedly his biggest professional challenge to date.

Haney is chasing a world title at a third weight class having previously held belts at both lightweight and super-lightweight prior to signalling his intentions of moving up to 147lbs.

A win over Jose Ramirez on the lethargic Times Square bill earlier this year was designed to tee-up a rematch with long-term foe Ryan Garcia, but defeat for the Californian against Rolando Romero on the same night has, at least for now, put pay to that bout.

However, it appears as though the 26-year-old may have found his match with Norman Jr publicly responding to Haney Sr's recent offer to take on his son.

"Yes, [I will take the same deal that I wanted to fight Ennis to fight Devin Haney]," Norman Jr told Boxing News this week.

What did Deebo [Devin Haney] get hit with [against Ryan Garcia]? That boy got hit with a brick, and y’all know what I carry in these hands, right?

- Brian Norman Jr (Boxing News)

"We have just got to see what happens in the future regarding that fight, but I am down for anything," he added.

Whilst no official confirmation of the fight has been made official, it's expected that the dust-up will top the bill of a colossal Riyadh Season card towards the end of the year.

Numerous undercard additions are already being mooted too, with the supremely-talented Abdullah Mason and British world title hope Sam Noakes rumoured to have been lined-up to feature as the co-main event.

The WBO have already given the green light for the two to lock horns for their lightweight title and it appears as though both men will get their chance to lay their hands on the gold on the expected Norman Jr vs Haney bill.

Mark Mothershaw

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