Barrios or Pacquiao? It doesn’t matter! Brian Norman Jr. wants the WBC title and, following Ennis’ retirement, is now in the hunt for all the welterweight belts.
Brian Norman Jr. proved his ambitions to become the world’s top welterweight in impressive style. The 23-year-old US-American destroyed Japan’s Jin Sasaki (19-2-1, 17 knockouts) in the fifth round of an action-packed duel and thus impressively defended his WBO world title.
Norman dictated the pace right from the start, moving smoothly around the ring and exploiting every gap in Sasaki’s guard. The brutal end followed in round five: an explosive right hook hit the Japanese fighter right on the chin – Sasaki slumped motionless and the fight was over immediately. The referee waved off before a count could even begin. “I knew I had to make a statement – and that’s exactly what I did,” said Norman after the fight. This demonstration of power brings him closer to his big goal: to unify all four welterweight titles.
The promotion of Jaron Ennis to half-middleweight has left two of the world titles (IBF, WBA) vacant. But Norman is thinking step by step – and has now called for the winner of the WBC title fight between Mario Barrios and Manny Pacquiao, which will take place on July 19 in Las Vegas. “The WBC belt is the next step. Whether it’s Barrios or the legend Pacquiao – I want this title. Then I’ll get the rest!”
Norman thus remains one of the hottest contenders for the undisputed crown in the 147-pound limit. And after his brutal knockout victory against Sasaki, it should be clear to the last man standing: Brian Norman Jr. is now a force to be reckoned with in this weight class.
Text by Robin Josten