By Milton Kirby | Las Vegas, NV | September 6, 2025
Brian “The Assassin II” Norman Jr. has just signed a new multi-year deal with Top Rank. At only 24, the undefeated welterweight champ is betting on loyalty, staying with the promoter who believed in him from day one.
And now, the stage is set. On Nov. 22, halfway across the world in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Norman will defend his WBO crown against none other than Devin “The Dream” Haney.
“This is just the start,” Norman said. “Top Rank believed in me, and I’m building with the home team.”
From Decatur to the desert lights
Folks around Decatur remember Norman as a teenager already packing dynamite in both fists. He turned pro at 17, often fighting in small Mexican rings to stay busy. By 22-0, he caught Top Rank’s eye and inked a deal in 2022.
The rise hasn’t been smooth. In 2024, he walked straight into San Diego and silenced Giovani Santillan’s crowd with a 10th-round stoppage. That win earned him the WBO interim title, which was later upgraded to full champion when Terence Crawford stepped aside.
A hand injury benched him for the rest of that year, but Norman came roaring back. First, a March 2025 knockout of Derrieck Cuevas. Then, a June masterpiece in Tokyo — a left hook that left Jin Sasaki flat on the canvas and fans gasping. Knockout of the Year? No doubt.
A team effort
Behind Norman is a circle that has remained steady from the beginning: his father, Brian Sr.; adviser Adrian Clark; Jolene Mizzone; and veteran matchmakers Brad Goodman and Bruce Trampler.
Clark put it plain: “It’s been a total team effort. We’re proud to keep pushing forward with Top Rank.”
The fight ahead
With 28 wins, 22 by knockout, Norman now faces his biggest test in Devin Haney — a technician known for his slick defense and ring IQ. Riyadh will host the clash, but back home in Decatur, fans will be watching every punch. From the quiet gyms off Candler Road to the bright lights overseas, Brian Norman Jr. carries Atlanta pride with him. This next fight is more than a title defense. It’s a chance to prove he belongs among the legends.
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