The highest ranking boxing aired in the U.S. early this morning, a middleweight world championship battle was held at the OTA-CITY General Stadium in Tokyo, Japan, as Brian Norman JR beat Jin Sasaki (19-2-1, 17 KOS) to hit the cold in the fifth round.
In the abbreviated World Championship battle, Norman looks fast, strong, technically reasonable and polished. His opponent Jin Sasaki seems to be slow and frankly the defending champion is low.
Before the round, Norman was recognized as a boxer and Sasakie was known as a knockout artist. Brian Norman Jr is winning a second world title, while challenger Jin Sasaki is trying to win the world title for the first time.
In the first round of the championship game, Jin Sasaki tried to build a jab for the body. Champion Brian Norman responded by firing a fast, sharp piercing shot to the opponent’s head.
At 2:25 points in the first round, Brian Norman contacted the hard left hook to send Jin Sasaki to the canvas. Sasaki was able to stand up, but after 35 seconds Norman landed again, dropping Sasaki for the second time.
In the second round of the game, Norman decided on the pace of the fight as he kept in touch with his hard right hand many times. As the second round was about to end, Sasaky was able to force Norman to tie the ropes and shoot a string of shots.
Sasaki dropped a left hook early in the third quarter, but Norman shot Sasaki left and right. In the fourth round, Norman’s right hand continued to hit the target consistently.
On the 2:21 mark in the fifth round, Brian Norman JR lowered a powerful left hook and knocked Jin Sasaki down. 24-year-old WBO world middleweight champion Brian Norman JR (28-0, 22 KOS) traveled to Japan and issued a strong statement.
Brian Norman Jr is a young, highly skilled fighter with all the tools. After winning his world title battle against Sasakie in such a spectacular way, it might be time for Norman to focus on cleaning up the middleweight division.
Last updated on June 19, 2010
