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Devin Haney became a three-division world champion on Saturday night in Riyadh, outboxing Brian Norman Jr over 12 rounds.
The 27-year-old landed a pivotal second-round knockdown to win the WBO welterweight title by scores of 117–110, 116–111 and 114–113.
The atmosphere inside the ANB Arena tightened early when Haney, usually a slow starter, stunned Norman with a check left hook before drilling him with a right hand that sent the defending champion to the canvas.
Norman rose bleeding from the nose and survived the round, but the moment swung the fight heavily in Haney's direction.
From there, Haney controlled long stretches behind a sharp jab, well-timed counters and clever footwork. Norman tried repeatedly to close the distance and force exchanges, but Haney's accuracy - particularly with straight shots down the middle - kept him in command.
Whenever Norman surged forward, Haney turned him, tied him up or caught him with short hooks that disrupted rhythm.
Devin Haney poses with his team and his belt after defeating Brian Norman Jr
Norman's best window came in the ninth and 10th rounds, when he landed several clean left hooks and briefly pushed Haney to the ropes with a right hand, but Haney steadied himself and stayed composed even as the champion began to build momentum.
The fight tightened in the late rounds, urgency rising in Norman's corner as they urged him to press for a finish, aware that the early knockdown and slow start had likely left him behind on the cards.
Haney, warned by his father not to take unnecessary risks, managed the closing stages with calm efficiency - slipping jabs, catching hooks on the gloves, and clinching whenever Norman tried to force a firefight.
By the final minute, Norman was the one initiating holds, unable to find the breakthrough he needed to save his title.
Haney's dominant display vs Norman Jr saw the American become a three-division champ
After the decision was announced, Haney reflected on the tumultuous road that led back to championship glory, saying, 'In 2024, I lost everything. It came crashing on me. In 2025, I got it back. In 2026, I'm coming for everything.'
The win marks his strongest performance since his undisputed lightweight run and caps a year in which many had questioned his durability and ceiling at welterweight.
For Norman, who entered unbeaten and riding a string of knockout victories, the defeat was his first as a professional and the end of an impressive title run.
Haney, meanwhile, left the ring declaring that 147 pounds is where he belongs and that he is ready for any challenge the division has to offer.
