
Brian Norman Jr. learned there are levels to boxing the hard way in suffering his first professional loss to Devin Haney back in November.
With that priceless experience in tow, the former WBO welterweight world champion returns to action Saturday night against Josh Wagner at Scope Arena in Norfolk, Virginia, and live on DAZN. The bout will serve as chief support to the Keyshawn Davis vs. Nahir Albright grudge match headliner.
Haney dropped Norman (28-1, 22 KOs) during the second round and ‘The Assassin II’ was unable to resolve ‘The Dream’s’ jab the rest of the way through, ultimately dropping a unanimous decision. He will aim to rebuild against Wagner (19-2, 10 KOs) who is also coming off a unanimous decision loss — in a 10-round bout against Harlem Eubank — in November.
Will Norman let the welterweight division know he’s back with a bang? Or will Wagner show the American who ‘The Boss’ is with an upset?
DAZN News probes into who has the edge between Norman and Wagner heading into their fight.
Brian Norman Jr. is a pressure fighter who is quick and skilled with both hands, lunging inside upon making contact with the jab. While forward fighting, Norman keeps his defense intact and owns a thunderous left hook that Josh Wagner will need to desperately avoid.
Standing nearly 6-foot tall, Wagner tries to assert his range behind the jab, but often leaves his chin exposed. Norman can find the Canadian’s chin and has the edge in the styles department because of it.
Norman has nightmarish power in his hands.
Prior to his loss to Haney, he recorded three straight stoppage wins including the instant sleeping of Jin Sasaki with a walk-off left hook in the fifth round of their June 2025 fight. The brutal shot won Norman Ring's Knockout of the Year for 2025.
Norman has the kind of power to even put a durable Wagner down for the count.
Norman is trying to rebound from his first professional defeat, though applying the lessons he learned from losing to Devin Haney might have the former champion coming out of the experience better in the long run.
Having the confidence to rebuild and doing so with a statement win over Wagner should be all the aspiration Norman needs Saturday night.
Holding down co-main event duties, live on DAZN, Norman has the opportunity to turn his setback into his get back. His hand speed and power are major reasons DAZN News is giving him the 3-0 edge heading into this pivotal fight that could launch his reconstruction.
Watch Keyshawn Davis and Nahir Albright on DAZN this Saturday, May 16, with your subscription. Monthly and annual options available.


