Brian Norman Jr. knocks out Jin Sasaki, causing memory loss in WBO title bout
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Brian Norman Jr. (28-0) successfully defended his WBO welterweight championship by defeating Jin Sasaki (15-2-1) with a fifth-round knockout at the Ota-City General Gymnasium in Tokyo, Japan. The bout, held before a sold-out local crowd, ended when Norman landed a powerful overhand left that connected squarely with Sasaki's jaw.The impact rendered Sasaki unconscious, and the back of his head struck the canvas on the way down. He was immediately taken to a nearby hospital, where further alarming details emerged. According to Issei Nakaya, Sasaki's trainer and promoter, Sasaki told medical personnel that he had no memory of the past month and a half.Also read: 'Live in my house and see Ukraine's war': Heavyweight boxing champion Usyk challenges Trump 'I don't even remember this being a title fight,' Sasaki reportedly said, raising concerns among fans and officials about the neurological impact of the blow.The Japanese fighter was ranked No. 2 in the WBO welterweight rankings going into the match, having held the WBO Asia-Pacific title. His loss to Norman not only ends his winning streak but also places his immediate boxing future in question following the reported memory loss.Norman, known for his aggressive style and nicknamed 'The Assassin II,' took control of the fight early. He dropped Sasaki twice in the opening round, once with a clean head shot and a second time with a rapid combination that overwhelmed the challenger's defense.Despite attempts by Sasaki to recover in subsequent rounds, Norman's consistent left hook combinations continued to land with precision. The knockout punch in the fifth round marked the culmination of sustained pressure by the American champion.Following the match, Sasaki underwent a CT scan, with results still pending further analysis. While no structural damage was immediately reported, his team is expected to proceed with caution. The incident has prompted renewed attention on the risks of repeated head trauma in boxing, especially at the elite level.Also read: Jamaican boxing legend Mike McCallum, "The Bodysnatcher," dies at 68 Norman Jr. has now improved his undefeated record to 28-0 and remains at the top of the WBO welterweight rankings. With the victory, he solidifies his position as one of the premier welterweights in the world and may next face either a voluntary challenger or a mandatory defense, possibly against WBO NABO titleholder Alexis Rocha.
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