Tokyo’s Sasaki, 19-1-1 (13 KOs), the mandatory challenger to Norman’s WBO title, was ringside for the occasion and made a point to meet up with Norman after the fight.

Norman (28-0, 22 KO) did express “nothing but respect” for Sasaki (19-2-1, 17 KO), saying his opponent “came to fight,” and also that he still has more that he has yet to show the world.

Brian Norman Jr. defends his WBO Welterweight Championship against Japan’s Jin Sasaki on Thursday, June 19, 2025, at the Ota-City General Gymnasium in Tokyo, Japan.

The Cuevas win proved that Norman Jr. was a danger in the division, as he extended his record to 27-0, with 21 knockouts. Sasaki was undefeated at 147, with his only defeat coming at 140.

On Thursday, June 19, Brian Norman Jr., the unbeaten WBO Welterweight World Champion, will defend his championship against Jin Sasaki, a rising star from Japan.

Norman and Sasaki each weighed 66.6 kg (roughly 146.8lbs) to make their title fight official. ESPN+ will air the four-fight stream live on Thursday, beginning at 4:00 a.m. ET from Ota-City General ...

Signed to Top Rank, Brian "The Assassin" Norman Jr. will defend his WBO welterweight world title against Japanese contender Jin Sasaki on Thursday, June 19, at Ota City General Gymnasium in Tokyo ...

On Thursday, June 19, Brian Norman Jr., the unbeaten WBO Welterweight World Champion, will defend his championship against Jin Sasaki, a rising star from Japan. In front of Sasaki's home fans in ...