Brian Norman Jr. travels to Japan this week for his first WBO welterweight title defense, stepping into hostile territory against local knockout artist Jin Sasaki. The undefeated American champion puts his perfect 27-0 record on the line at Tokyo's Ota-City General Gymnasium on June 19.
"You see what Jin is bringing, you see what I'm bringing, only one thing can happen which is a KO. So please bring out the pillows, bring out the pacifiers, cause somebody gonna get put to sleep," Norman declared ahead of the fight.
At just 24 years old, Norman has already surpassed his father's career achievements. Brian Norman Sr. finished with an 18-11 record, while his son has remained perfect through 27 professional bouts, stopping 21 opponents inside the distance.
This marks Norman's first bout as the full-fledged WBO champion after being elevated from interim titleholder when Terence Crawford vacated the belt. It's also his first fight outside North America—a significant career milestone for the young champion.
Interestingly, the challenger Jin Sasaki brings his own impressive credentials to the ring. The 23-year-old Japanese fighter holds a 19-1-1 record with 17 knockouts and hasn't tasted defeat since 2021. Those knockout numbers suggest this matchup could end early.
The main card begins at an unusual time for American viewers—4 a.m. ET on Thursday, with the main event fighters expected to make their ring walks around 7:15 a.m. ET. This timing accommodation for the Tokyo venue means dedicated boxing fans might need to set some early alarms.
The undercard features several compelling matchups, including Cristian Araneta facing Thanongsak Simsri for the IBF light flyweight title. But all eyes will be on the main event. Can Norman prove he's a global star, or will Sasaki's power create a shocking upset on home soil?
