Devin Haney‘s next fight looks to potentially be in jeopardy.
Haney is set to challenge reigning WBO world welterweight champion and countryman Brian Norman Jr on Saturday November 22 at the ANB Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Former undisputed lightweight champion Haney made his first move towards 147lbs on May 2 as he outpointed former unified world super-lightweight champion Jose Ramirez at a catchweight in what was an extremely underwhelming contest in New York City.
As ‘The Dream’ sets his sights on becoming a three-weight world champion at 26-years-old, his upcoming showdown with Norman appears to be hanging in the balance.
Speaking on Tha Boxing Voice, Haney’s father and trainer Bill demanded that Norman begin Voluntary Anti Doping Testing immediately. The champion has said he will begin on August 1.
“Okay but what I’m saying is that’s not [happening], we’re not doing that, so you giving me the answer that you guys aren’t signing up now?”
Norman’s father then sent his own response to Bill Haney, where he urges the Haneys to ‘pull out of the fight’ if they are not happy with the current situation.
“Tell Turki that Brian Norman won’t sign up on whatever today is. I want you to go ahead and tell Turki, say ‘Listen they wanna start August the 1st.’ Even though y’all paying for eight weeks, we wanted them to do extra testing, they refusing to go by what we say. Go tell Turki that you pulling out of the fight.”
Norman Jr has said he is ‘out of the country’ and will enrol when he has returned.
I’m about to go out the country all next week. When I get back it’s damn near August so I said let’s start then. Your boy will be ok. This will be a clean ass whoopin https://t.co/R9QFuoNSVN
— Brian Norman Jr (@OfficialBNorman) July 18, 2025
It is a matter vitally important to Haney, who was initially beaten by Ryan Garcia, knocked down three times, before the latter was discovered to have tested positive for a banned substance. The fight result was overturned to a no contest.
As the clock ticks down to the highly anticipated showdown on November 22, the uncertainty surrounding Haney’s clash with Norman Jr casts a shadow over what promised to be a thrilling welterweight title fight between two of America’s biggest names.
