The Dream, 26, will face The Assassin II, 24, on November 22 for the WBO welterweight world title, and even though he has just stepped into the division, Haney believes he can defeat Norman Jr. with ease.

Speaking with Ring Magazine, about whether his opponent had bitten off more than he could chew, Haney said: “Of course. I think that I’m levels above him. I think he’s a good fighter, he’s done what he’s supposed to do against those guys, Top Rank has done a great job of matching him against the right guys.

“But now he’s fighting a real fighter, a guy who’s been at the top for a long time and I will just show him that I’m levels above him.”

Reflecting on moving straight up to the welterweight divison to face the WBO champion, Haney said: “That’s just not the type of person that I am, the type of fighter that I am [to take a tune up].

“I do think think that he is the best at 147 and what better way to take over a weight class than to fight the best guy, get right to it, and take over the division.”

Despite being new to the welterweight division, Norman Jr. believes Haney could pose a real threat to his title.

He said: “Why wouldn’t I want to fight a fighter like himself. It’s just the competitive nature that’s in me, it’s the reason I am a champion.

“He say he’s the best, I say I’m the best, cool, let’s go out and see who truly is that one.”

Even so, Norman Jr. insisted his opponent was underestimating him.

He said: “I don’t really care about the betting odds or anything like that. In regards to sleeping on me, I’m pretty sure he not going out like that, pretty sure he was raised better than that.

“I’m pretty sure he know what he in for as well, I’m pretty sure he’s going to try to do everything possible but no matter what it’s not enough.”