Davis would fight Norman next if he can't get Haney shot
If Keyshawn Davis can’t secure the title shot he wants with Devin Haney next, he would welcome a fight against the former champion who lost that WBO welterweight crown seven months ago.
“I told my peoples to reach out to Brian Norman,” Davis said during the newest episode of “Inside The Ring,” which premiered Monday on DAZN. “And then the next day I was [made] the mandatory [challenger for Haney]. But yeah, I’ll fight Brian.”
Norman (29-1, 23 KOs) stopped a huge underdog, Josh Wagner, in the second round on Davis’ undercard last month. The Conyers, Georgia, native’s easy victory over Canada’s Wagner (19-3, 10 KOs) represented his return from losing his title to Haney by unanimous decision November 22 in Saudi Arabia.
Davis defeated Nahir Albright unanimously on the cards in the 12-round main event after Norman's knockout win May 16 at Scope Arena. The WBO installed Davis, one of the sanctioning organization’s former lightweight champs, as the mandatory challenger for Haney’s title last week.
Davis (15-0, 10 KOs) hasn’t competed at the welterweight limit, but the 2021 Olympic silver medalist informed the WBO that he would move up to 147 pounds after he beat Albright (17-3-1, 7 KOs) in a bout contested at the junior welterweight limit of 140.
The WBO’s mandate doesn’t guarantee that Haney will face Davis next, though he has publicly embraced him as a potential opponent. Haney (33-0, 15 KOs), of Henderson, Nevada, hasn’t boxed in the six months since he dethroned Norman.
“Right now, I really want a big fight for me to really get motivated, for me to do a freaking two-month training camp,” Davis said. “I want something that I’m putting it all on the line, like it’s a 50-50 fight to the fans’ eyes. I’m just ready for that. I’m ready for a lotta pressure. I’m ready for a major, big fight. I’m ready for that, so we going for it, Devin Haney.”
Haney, 27, is ranked No. 8 on The Ring’s pound-for-pound list and No. 1 among its welterweight contenders for a vacant championship. Davis, also 27, is The Ring’s second-ranked challenger for junior welterweight champ Shakur Stevenson (25-0, 11 KOs), a close friend he won’t fight.
Norman, 25, is No. 2 in The Ring’s welterweight top 10.
Keyshawn Davis vs. Brian Norman - Who wins?
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Re: Keyshawn Davis vs. Brian Norman - Who wins?
Brian Norman Jr. Questions Keyshawn Davis’ Change Of Heart On Fight
Former WBO welterweight champion says Keyshawn previously rejected the matchup but is ready to accept it now
Brian Norman Jr. says he has no hesitation about fighting Keyshawn Davis, but questions why the former lightweight champion suddenly wants the matchup after previously dismissing it.
The former WBO welterweight champion says he is ready to settle the rivalry in the ring if the fight moves him closer to another world title shot.
Asked about Keyshawn recently expressing interest in the fight, Norman questioned why the challenge is coming now.
“Absolutely, that interests me. It’s funny how he’s saying this now, but you can go look at some interviews literally right before our last fight and there was plenty of times where they say, ‘Would you fight Brian Jr.?’ And he kept saying, ‘No, no, no.’ Would you do a full-time eliminator? No. The only way he would do it is, of course, if he has to pretty much,” Norman Jr. told Ring Magazine.
Norman said he is focused on fighting rather than trading insults online.
“I’m here to handle business. I ain’t here to do the internet talking. So he can have all that kind of stuff. I’m here to do the real business with the businessman,” said Norman Jr.
The remarks came after the interviewer referenced Keyshawn’s recent livestream, in which he dismissed Norman and claimed Devin Haney chose him because “he sucks.” Norman responded by questioning Keyshawn’s composure.
“Yeah, I seen all of that. I mean, that’s what he is. He’ll crash out. I mean, he can’t control himself. If he’s serious about business or whatever, of course, I’m right here,” said Norman Jr.
Although Keyshawn no longer holds a world title, Norman said that would not prevent him from accepting the fight.
“That could be my way to the world title. Okay. Be a good fight,” said Norman Jr.
Norman has repeatedly said since returning to the ring that his priority is facing the biggest available names as he works toward another championship opportunity. Keyshawn, who has been linked to several potential welterweight fights since moving up from lightweight, is now among the opponents Norman says he is ready to face.
Norman also suggested that the timing of Davis’ interest could be tied to changes in the division, with several high-profile fighters positioning themselves for title eliminators and mandatory opportunities. With the welterweight landscape in flux following recent title fights and mandatory obligations, a bout between Norman and Davis could serve as a significant step toward contention for both fighters.
For Norman, the matchup represents an opportunity not only to silence a rival but to re-establish his position among the division’s leading contenders. Having already held world title status, he framed the fight as a meaningful route back into the championship picture rather than simply a grudge match.
At the same time, the potential clash carries commercial appeal, given Davis’ rising profile and outspoken personality. Norman acknowledged the attention surrounding his rival but maintained that his focus remains on performance inside the ring, rather than narrative outside it.
Should negotiations materialise, the fight would match a proven former champion against a younger, fast-rising contender, with both men seeking to strengthen their claims for a world title opportunity in a competitive welterweight division.
Former WBO welterweight champion says Keyshawn previously rejected the matchup but is ready to accept it now
Brian Norman Jr. says he has no hesitation about fighting Keyshawn Davis, but questions why the former lightweight champion suddenly wants the matchup after previously dismissing it.
The former WBO welterweight champion says he is ready to settle the rivalry in the ring if the fight moves him closer to another world title shot.
Asked about Keyshawn recently expressing interest in the fight, Norman questioned why the challenge is coming now.
“Absolutely, that interests me. It’s funny how he’s saying this now, but you can go look at some interviews literally right before our last fight and there was plenty of times where they say, ‘Would you fight Brian Jr.?’ And he kept saying, ‘No, no, no.’ Would you do a full-time eliminator? No. The only way he would do it is, of course, if he has to pretty much,” Norman Jr. told Ring Magazine.
Norman said he is focused on fighting rather than trading insults online.
“I’m here to handle business. I ain’t here to do the internet talking. So he can have all that kind of stuff. I’m here to do the real business with the businessman,” said Norman Jr.
The remarks came after the interviewer referenced Keyshawn’s recent livestream, in which he dismissed Norman and claimed Devin Haney chose him because “he sucks.” Norman responded by questioning Keyshawn’s composure.
“Yeah, I seen all of that. I mean, that’s what he is. He’ll crash out. I mean, he can’t control himself. If he’s serious about business or whatever, of course, I’m right here,” said Norman Jr.
Although Keyshawn no longer holds a world title, Norman said that would not prevent him from accepting the fight.
“That could be my way to the world title. Okay. Be a good fight,” said Norman Jr.
Norman has repeatedly said since returning to the ring that his priority is facing the biggest available names as he works toward another championship opportunity. Keyshawn, who has been linked to several potential welterweight fights since moving up from lightweight, is now among the opponents Norman says he is ready to face.
Norman also suggested that the timing of Davis’ interest could be tied to changes in the division, with several high-profile fighters positioning themselves for title eliminators and mandatory opportunities. With the welterweight landscape in flux following recent title fights and mandatory obligations, a bout between Norman and Davis could serve as a significant step toward contention for both fighters.
For Norman, the matchup represents an opportunity not only to silence a rival but to re-establish his position among the division’s leading contenders. Having already held world title status, he framed the fight as a meaningful route back into the championship picture rather than simply a grudge match.
At the same time, the potential clash carries commercial appeal, given Davis’ rising profile and outspoken personality. Norman acknowledged the attention surrounding his rival but maintained that his focus remains on performance inside the ring, rather than narrative outside it.
Should negotiations materialise, the fight would match a proven former champion against a younger, fast-rising contender, with both men seeking to strengthen their claims for a world title opportunity in a competitive welterweight division.
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Re: Keyshawn Davis vs. Brian Norman - Who wins?
Brian Norman says Keyshawn Davis fight can be gateway to title shot
Brian Norman Jr. starred as the co-featured attraction for the Keyshawn Davis homecoming in May at Virgina's Norfolk Scope Arena.
Norman (29-1, 23 KOs), a former WBO welterweight champion, is now looking for a crack at the guy he provided chief support for to properly position him for another crown.
“Absolutely that interests me,” Norman told The Ring. “That could be my way to a world title. It will be a great fight, a wonderful fight. The only way [Davis] would fight me is if he has to, pretty much.
“I don't have a personal vendetta against anybody. I'm not going to choose any one particular opponent. Anybody who can get me back to that belt.”
Davis (15-0, 10 KOs), a former lightweight titleholder, made his 140-pound debut while beating Nahir Albright by unanimous decision on the same night Norman stopped Josh Wagner inside two rounds.
Davis has stated, however, that he’s not long for the junior welterweight division and plans on competing at 147 pounds in the near future. Davis is the mandatory challenger to WBO welterweight champion Devin Haney, the guy who beat Norman in November by unanimous decision.
Norman, a 25-year-old Georgia native, and Davis, 27, are both former world titleholders tied to Top Rank, so making a fight could be an efficient process, especially if Davis doesn’t get the Haney fight.
Haney has been linked to a more lucrative and preferred fight against Shakur Stevenson in recent weeks.
Haney is ranked No. 1 by The Ring at 147 pounds (No. 8 P4P), and Norman is No. 2. while Davis ranked No. 2 at 140 pounds.
“I'm here to do real business with 'The Business Man' – he's a crash out,” Norman said. “[Davis] can't control himself. What's up with it? If he's serious about business, I'm right here.”
Brian Norman Jr. starred as the co-featured attraction for the Keyshawn Davis homecoming in May at Virgina's Norfolk Scope Arena.
Norman (29-1, 23 KOs), a former WBO welterweight champion, is now looking for a crack at the guy he provided chief support for to properly position him for another crown.
“Absolutely that interests me,” Norman told The Ring. “That could be my way to a world title. It will be a great fight, a wonderful fight. The only way [Davis] would fight me is if he has to, pretty much.
“I don't have a personal vendetta against anybody. I'm not going to choose any one particular opponent. Anybody who can get me back to that belt.”
Davis (15-0, 10 KOs), a former lightweight titleholder, made his 140-pound debut while beating Nahir Albright by unanimous decision on the same night Norman stopped Josh Wagner inside two rounds.
Davis has stated, however, that he’s not long for the junior welterweight division and plans on competing at 147 pounds in the near future. Davis is the mandatory challenger to WBO welterweight champion Devin Haney, the guy who beat Norman in November by unanimous decision.
Norman, a 25-year-old Georgia native, and Davis, 27, are both former world titleholders tied to Top Rank, so making a fight could be an efficient process, especially if Davis doesn’t get the Haney fight.
Haney has been linked to a more lucrative and preferred fight against Shakur Stevenson in recent weeks.
Haney is ranked No. 1 by The Ring at 147 pounds (No. 8 P4P), and Norman is No. 2. while Davis ranked No. 2 at 140 pounds.
“I'm here to do real business with 'The Business Man' – he's a crash out,” Norman said. “[Davis] can't control himself. What's up with it? If he's serious about business, I'm right here.”