Undefeated Champion Issues Bold Challenge to Haney and Garcia: "They Can't Handle Me"

George Fields Feb. 12, 2025, 5:10 p.m.

Norman Jr. has an impressive record of 26 wins, no losses, with 20 knockouts. That's a knockout ratio of 75%. He's not just talking big - he's backing it up in the ring.

In an interview, Norman Jr. made it clear he's not afraid of the new challengers:

"[There's] no choice. It's bound to happen no matter what. Everybody wants to come up to 147 right now. I'm a champion, I'm about to keep knocking everybody's head off and I'm gonna keep boxing everybody in where it's like, I'm gonna be undisputed, you have no choice but to fight me. Plain and simple."

The champ isn't just waiting around. He's got a title defense coming up next month against Derrieck Cuevas, the WBO's 11th-ranked contender. After that, he's got his sights set on bigger fish.

Haney and Garcia have some unfinished business of their own. They fought last year, with Garcia winning by decision. But there was controversy - Garcia came in overweight and couldn't win Haney's belt. Then the decision got overturned when Garcia tested positive for banned substances.

Now both guys are making their welterweight debuts in May. If they both win, we might see a rematch in October.

Norman Jr. doesn't care who wins. He just wants the biggest fights:

"If I have all the belts and you want to become a champion at 147, there's only one thing you can do, which is fight me. So no matter what the fights have to happen."

The champ is also looking at unification fights with Mario Barrios or the winner of Jaron Ennis vs Eimantas Stanionis. One thing's for sure - the welterweight division is heating up, and Norman Jr. is ready to take on all comers.

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