06-20-2025, 11:34 AM
Norman flattens Sasaki, keeps WBO 147lb belt
Unbeaten WBO welterweight champion Brian Norman Jr. (28-0-2NC, 22 KOs), 147, impressively kept his belt as he finally flattened Japanese challenger #2 Jin Sasaki (19-2-1, 17 KOs), 147, with a single left hook at 0:46 of the fifth round on Thursday in Tokyo, Japan.
Norman proved too much for the gallant rival, quickly flooring him twice in the opening round. Brian was in command in the following rounds, but Jin showed his heart by trying to fight toe-to-toe despite losing a point in every session. The fatal fifth witnessed Sasaki throw a jab to the midsection, when the champ connected with a vicious left hook with perfect precision that sent him to dreamland. But it was a crowd-pleasing give-and-take extravaganza.
Unbeaten WBO welterweight champion Brian Norman Jr. (28-0-2NC, 22 KOs), 147, impressively kept his belt as he finally flattened Japanese challenger #2 Jin Sasaki (19-2-1, 17 KOs), 147, with a single left hook at 0:46 of the fifth round on Thursday in Tokyo, Japan.
Norman proved too much for the gallant rival, quickly flooring him twice in the opening round. Brian was in command in the following rounds, but Jin showed his heart by trying to fight toe-to-toe despite losing a point in every session. The fatal fifth witnessed Sasaki throw a jab to the midsection, when the champ connected with a vicious left hook with perfect precision that sent him to dreamland. But it was a crowd-pleasing give-and-take extravaganza.