| |
|
Tokyo Fist: Brian Norman Jr. KOs Jin Sasaki to Retain Welterweight Crown
PhilBoxing.com Thu, 19 Jun 2025

TOKYO (June 19, 2025) — The King of the South conquered the Far East.
WBO welterweight world champion Brian Norman Jr. defended his strap with a concussive fifth-round knockout of hometown challenger Jin Sasaki on Thursday at Ota City General Gymnasium in Tokyo, Japan.
This marked the second successful defense for the 24-year-old Norman (28-0, 22 KOs), an Atlanta native and boxing's youngest male world champion. Sasaki (19-2-1, 17 KOs) saw his nine-fight unbeaten streak end at the hands of Norman, who unleashed a vicious left hook that left him on the canvas for several minutes.
“It was a wonderful fight. I had a great opponent in front of me. You all seen he got heart. That boy is not a slouch at all. I give nothing but props to him. I love ya’ll over here in Japan. I’d gladly come back," Norman said. “I knew whatever he was bringing to the table, I’m a champion for a reason. As you saw, I showed that.”
He showed that in the opening minute of the fight, dropping Sasaki with a left hook to the top of the head. Norman notched another knockdown at the end of the round, but Sasaki survived and threw back in the face of the storm. Norman almost secured the stoppage in round three, pinning Sasaki to the ropes and finding a home for uppercuts and straight right hands. Two rounds later, the end came courtesy of a Knockout of the Year contender.
Norman said, “I wish I had a certain fight coming up {against Jaron "Boots" Ennis}. They heard B. Norm the storm is coming, and you know what happens when a storm is coming. You grab your boots and run. We shall see what’s next for me."
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Santisima Faces Undefeated Grigoryan for IBF Asia Title in Russia , Tue, 14 Apr 2026Jenn Perella excited to be fighting in front of family & friends on ‘Rumble at the Rink II’ , Tue, 14 Apr 2026Angel Barrientes Training Camp Notes , Mon, 13 Apr 2026DFBC sweeps Dubai Filipino bowlfest By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 13 Apr 2026Middleweight Contender Vito Mielnicki Jr. Dominates Omar Huerta in Main Event at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City & Live on ProBoxTV , Mon, 13 Apr 2026Sergio Martinez returns with a victory at 51 By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Mon, 13 Apr 2026Team USA Secures Three Gold Medals on Final Day of 2026 Gee Bee Boxing Tournament , Mon, 13 Apr 2026Rosales to fight Obedencio in RFL co-main event By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 13 Apr 2026Quiñonero to fight Cadalso in Juego Todo Pro By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 13 Apr 2026Miel Fajardo Unleashes Thrilling Fury: Filipino Slugger Blasts Reyes in IBF Flyweight Eliminator in Argentina By Carlos Costa, , Sun, 12 Apr 2026IBA NOMAD 14 delivers spectacular night of combat sports in Almaty , Sun, 12 Apr 2026Fajardo TKOs Reyes in IBF flyweight eliminator By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 12 Apr 2026P450k in Mt. Apo Boulder Face Challenge By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 12 Apr 2026Tyson Fury gets a unanimous decision victory after 12 rounds against Arslanbek Makhmudov in England , Sun, 12 Apr 2026'The Take Over' Renden Oppas Scores Win in Australia By Carlos Costa, , Sun, 12 Apr 2026CK Ingles: A Chess Player, Chess Team Manager - CHESS KINGS, Chess Tournament and Event Organizer By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 12 Apr 2026Hebert Conceicao Sousa Wins Perilous Unanimous Decision over Johan Gonzalez in Main Event of ProBoxTV from Prudential Center in Brick City , Sat, 11 Apr 2026ARGENTINE KO KING CHAVES FACES MADUENO IN LAS VEGAS , Sat, 11 Apr 2026Team USA Clinches Eight Medals At 2026 Gee Bee Boxing Tournament , Sat, 11 Apr 2026Weights From ‘Mielnicki vs. Huerta’ Event from Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City and Broadcast live on ProBoxTV , Sat, 11 Apr 2026Boquiren to face Olmillo in RFL on April 18 By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 11 Apr 2026USA Opens Strong at 2026 Gee Bee Tournament In Helsinki , Sat, 11 Apr 2026Filipino chess prodigy Nika Juris Nicolas eyes Woman International Master title By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 11 Apr 2026Blazen Rocili "The Filipino Giant" Dominates in Statement Victory at "Rumble in the UNE," Improves to 10-0 , Fri, 10 Apr 2026Oppas to face Lu on April 11 in Australia By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 10 Apr 2026 |

|
|
|
|
|