Top Rank Boxing, which aired in the United States early this morning, offered a welterweight world title fight that took place at the Ota-City General Gymnasium in Tokyo, Japan, while Brian Norman Jr Jin Sasaki (19-2-1, 17 CO’s) was cold in the fifth round.
Throughout the shortened world title, Norman looked fast, strong, technically healthy and polished. His opponent, Jin Sasaki, seems to be slow and honestly a level below the defending champion.
Prior to the game, Norman was recognized as the boxer puncher, and Sasaki was considered the knockout artist. Brian Norman Jr. was doing his second world title defense, while the challenger Jin Sasaki made his first attempt to win a world title.
In the opening round of the championship, Jin Sasaki tried to establish a stitch on the body. Champion Brian Norman replied by shooting fast, sharp bumps to the head of his opponent.
With the 2:25 point in the opening round, Brian Norman connected with a hard left hook that Jin Sasaki sent to the canvas. Sasaki could get up, but 35 seconds later, Norman landed another solid left, which dropped Sasaki for a second time.
In the second round of the competition, Norman determined the pace of the struggle, while on several occasions he made contact with hard right hands. When the second round came to an end, Sasaki could force Norman against the ropes and land.
Sasaki landed a large left hook early in third place, but Norman repeatedly framed Sasaki with his left and landed hard shots with his right. In the fourth round, Norman’s right hand continued to reach the target consistently.
At the 2:21 Point of the fifth round, Brian Norman Jr. landed a powerful left hook that Jin Sasaki knocked out cold. The 24-year-old WBO World Welterweight Champion Brian Norman Jr. (28-0, 22 CO’s) traveled to Japan and made an emphatic statement.
Brian Norman Jr. is a young, highly capable fighter who has all the tools. After winning his world title against Sasaki in such a spectacular way, it is perhaps time for Norman to focus on cleaning the welterweight section.
Last updated on 06/19/2025
