Brian Norman Jr stopped Derrieck Cuevas (right) to win the WBO world title in March Brian Norman Jr retained his WBO welterweight world title by stopping Jin Sasaki with one explosive punch in Tokyo. The American dropped Sasaki twice in the first round and the one-way traffic continued once the challenger rose quickly to his feet. Sasaki, 23, tried to fight fire with fire in front of his home crowd, but that approach was punished in the fifth when Norman Jr landed a powerful left hook. The shot put Sasaki out cold and the Japanese fighter was worked on by medics for several minutes, before being taken out of the ring on a stretcher. It meant Norman stood alone in the ring without his opponent as the official result was read out. The 24-year-old extended his unbeaten record to 28-0, adding his 22nd knockout and his third stoppage in a row. The Georgia native is eager to add more world titles to his collection after a knockout of the year contender. Norman Jr did have his sights set on fighting IBF and WBA champion Jaron 'Boots' Ennis, but his domestic rival confirmed this week he intended to move up in weight. "I wish I had a certain fight coming up," he said afterwards. "But they heard B Norman the Storm was coming. Y'all know what happens when a storm's coming, they grab their boots and run. "We shall see what's next for me, hopefully October or November."
Norman Jr stops Sasaki with one-punch knockout
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Brian Norman Jr Retains WBO Welterweight Title with Knockout of Jin Sasaki"
Bbc News
8.1
TruthLens AI Summary
Brian Norman Jr successfully defended his WBO welterweight world title in a thrilling bout against Jin Sasaki in Tokyo, delivering a stunning one-punch knockout that left the audience in awe. The fight began with Norman showcasing his dominance, as he dropped Sasaki twice within the first round. Despite being on the canvas early, the 23-year-old Japanese fighter attempted to counter Norman's aggression, but his efforts were in vain. The relentless pace set by Norman continued to overwhelm Sasaki, culminating in a decisive fifth round where Norman landed a devastating left hook that knocked Sasaki out cold. Medical personnel promptly attended to Sasaki, who required several minutes of assistance before being taken out of the ring on a stretcher, highlighting the severity of the knockout and the risks associated with the sport.
With this victory, Norman Jr improved his professional record to an impressive 28 wins, with 22 of those victories coming by way of knockout. This win marked his third consecutive stoppage, reinforcing his status as a formidable force in the welterweight division. Following the fight, Norman expressed his desire to pursue additional world titles, acknowledging the significant achievement of his recent performance. He had previously set his sights on a showdown with IBF and WBA champion Jaron 'Boots' Ennis, but Ennis revealed plans to move up in weight, leaving Norman to contemplate his next steps. "I wish I had a certain fight coming up," Norman stated, referencing his eagerness to remain active in the ring. He remains optimistic about securing another match in the near future, potentially in October or November, as he continues to build on his already impressive career in boxing.
TruthLens AI Analysis
You need to be a member to generate the AI analysis for this article.
Log In to Generate AnalysisNot a member yet? Register for free.