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Yahoo
14 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Jin Sasaki's vicious knockout defeat to Brian Norman Jr. epitomizes the brutal reality of combat sports
Jin Sasaki took a beating before getting knocked out in the fifth round of his fight vs. Brian Norman Jr. (Photo courtesy Naoki Fukuda/Top Rank) Jin Sasaki was awake in a hospital bed Thursday night with no visible signs of brain damage. It appears to be positive news, but ask Sasaki how he ended up being stretchered in an ambulance to a local hospital, and he wouldn't have a clue. Advertisement That is because Sasaki is reportedly suffering from around six weeks of memory loss. Not only can the Japanese welterweight not remember his brutal KO loss to Brian Norman Jr. on Thursday for the WBO world title, but he also cannot recall anything that happened this past month or for the majority of May either. That is the brutal reality of boxing — and indeed of combat sports. On one end of the spectrum, you have a 24-year-old American world champion ascending into a boxing star. On the other, there's a 23-year-old who doesn't know where he is or why he's there. Sasaki was floored twice in the opening round by Norman Jr. It was clear within 90 seconds of the fight that Norman was the superior boxer, and Sasaki's chances of winning the fight were slim, at best. The writing was on the wall, and the bout should've been stopped there and then, but Sasaki and his training team were too proud to lose in that fashion in Sasaki's first world title challenge in his home city of Tokyo. Instead, Sasaki fought fire with fire, trading with the smarter and stronger Norman Jr. He smiled at the conclusion of Round 1 when he went back to his corner; he seemed happy to be involved in a fight that he couldn't really win. Advertisement Sasaki continued to absorb heavy punishment from Norman. He nodded his head, acknowledging that Norman was hurting him with power punches, and even spoke to Norman during the action in Round 3, imploring the champion to continue attempting to finish him with big shots, as Norman's current output wasn't enough to deter Sasaki from coming forward — or so he claimed. Norman continued to put a beating on Sasaki, landing heavy artillery to the challenger's face and visibly forcing him off his stance. In Round 5, however, it all came to a sensational end. Norman landed a devastating left hook that saw Sasaki's head concerningly thump onto the canvas, with the boxer flat on his back for over a minute after the punch landed. Norman refused to celebrate after landing the best shot of his career. There was grave concern for Sasaki's well-being in the immediate aftermath of the knockout, with Sasaki's team and ringside doctors crowding his still body in the ring. It was an avoidable end to a brutal fight. Advertisement The bottom line: Fighters need saving from themselves. Every shot Sasaki took after the second knockdown in the first round was unnecessarily taking time off his career — and potentially even his life. Sasaki is a young fighter who could reach the top level of the sport again. He did not need to absorb the potentially life-changing punishment that he received on Thursday. It remains to be seen whether Sasaki will ever be the same fighter. He might not be, and he only has his corner team — the people whose job it is to look after his best interests — to blame for that.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Abdullah Mason vs. Sam Noakes ordered for vacant WBO lightweight title
Abdullah Mason (L) could fight for his first world title after the WBO ordered a bout between Mason and fellow rising contender Sam Noakes for the vacant lightweight belt. (Photo by) The WBO has now officially ordered Abdullah Mason and Sam Noakes to contest the vacant WBO lightweight title. Unbeaten contenders Mason, 21, and Noakes, 27, occupy the No. 1 and No. 2 positions in the governing body's rankings. The pair have 20 days to reach a deal, or purse bids will be called. Mason, Uncrowned's runner-up for 2024 Prospect of the Year, is represented by Bob Arum's Top Rank, while Noakes is with Frank Warren's Queensberry Promotions. Advertisement The development comes as a result of Keyshawn Davis being stripped of his WBO title Friday after he missed weight by over 4 pounds for his title defense against Edwin De Los Santos. The bout was subsequently canceled just 24 hours before it was scheduled to take place, and ironically it was Mason who was upgraded to the headliner for the event. Mason (19-0, 17 KOs) stopped Jeremia Nakathila at the beginning of Round 5 in their ESPN-televised main event bout Friday in Norfolk. Mason voiced his desire to fight for a world title immediately afterward. Noakes (17-0, 15 KOs) last fought in May, when he knocked out Patrik Balaz in three rounds in a tune-up bout. The Brit was planning a fight with Ireland's Jono Carroll in August, sources close to the situation told Uncrowned. But after Davis missed weight and it was apparent that Noakes would be in line for a title shot, the bout with Carroll was scrapped. On Tuesday evening, boxing financier Turki Alalshikh named Mason among a list of fighters he wanted to feature on the Saul "Canelo" Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford card, which is scheduled for Sept. 13 and is to be streamed live on Netflix. Mason's maiden title shot against Noakes carries a real possibility of landing on the aforementioned show.
USA Today
07-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Abdullah Mason vs. Jeremia Nakathila: Predictions, odds for fight in Top Rank main event
Abdullah Mason vs. Jeremia Nakathila: Predictions, odds for fight in Top Rank main event Abdullah Mason vs. Jeremia Nakathila will serve as the new headliner for Top Rank's card on Saturday, after the promotion was forced to pivot on Friday. It will be a 10-round lightweight showdown held at the Scope Arena in Virginia. The fight will serve as the main event following the cancellation of the WBO lightweight world title fight between Keyshawn Davis and Edwin De Los Santos. Davis did not make weight and was stripped of the title. Mason enters the fight unbeaten with a record of 18 wins and 16 knockouts during his career. Nakathila has a record of 26-4, with 21 of those wins coming by knockout. He also has been defeated twice by knockout. It will be Nakathila's first fight back in the United States after winning three consecutive fights in Southern Africa. He lost his last two fights to Ernesto Mercado and Raymond Muratalla. Here are the current predictions, odds and how to watch Abdullah Mason take on Jeremia Nakathila. More: Why Keyshawn Davis vs. Edwin De Los Santos fight was canceled Abdullah Mason vs Jeremia Nakathila predictions DAZN: Mason expected to overcome experienced Nakathila Mark Lelinwalla writes: 'Yes, Nakathila has an experience edge that Mason will have to overcome. Still, DAZN News has the Ohio native with a 2-1 edge heading into Saturday night's bout as he certainly possesses all the sweet science tools to deliver a scintillating statement.' Bet365: Mason expected to earn quick victory Rob Tebbutt writes: 'Not one to waste time, Mason has only been past four rounds in three of his 18 professional contests, and it's fair to say that I don't expect that to change this weekend. "My lock is for the fight to be over inside the opening six minutes, but given both Muratalla and Mercado finished the job in two rounds, I fully expect Mason to one-up them and try and close the show in the opening round…' Betfred: Mason to win it Joey Mills writes: 'I am going to go for Mason to take this in round five at 8/1, allowing for the underdog to have brought a smidgen of self-preservation into his game.' Abdullah Mason vs Jeremia Nakathila odds Odds according to BetMGM as of Saturday, June 7 at 2 a.m. ET. Abdullah Mason: -3000 -3000 Jeremia Nakathila: +850 How to watch Abdullah Mason vs Jeremia Nakathila: Date: Saturday, June 7, 2025 Time: 10 p.m. ET (Undercard 5:10 p.m. ET) Location: Scope Arena, Norfolk, Virginia TV: ESPN Streaming: ESPN+
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Junto Nakatani vs. Ryosuke Nishida: How to watch Top Rank boxing match, full fight card and more
If you buy something through a link in this article, we may earn commission. Pricing and availability are subject to change. Japan's Junto Nakatani faces Ryosuke Nishida in a Top Rank Boxing match this weekend, here's how to tune in. (YUICHI YAMAZAKI/AFP via Getty Images) This weekend, a unification title clash will determine who is the best bantamweight fighter of them all. WBC champion Junto Nakatani will fight IBF title-holder Ryosuke Nishida in Tokyo, and both boxing titles will be on the line in one single match. The main drawback? If you're in the U.S., you'll have to wake up pretty early to catch it all; the entire fight card will stream on ESPN+ starting at 4:30 a.m. ET, and the main ringwalks are expected around 5:30 a.m. Here's everything you need to know about how to watch the Nakatani vs. Nishida fight. How to watch the Junto Nakatani vs. Ryosuke Nishida fight: Date: Sunday, June 8 Advertisement Start time: 4:30 a.m. ET Fight time (approximate): main card ringwalks at approx. 5:30 a.m. ET Location: Ariake Coliseum, Tokyo, Japan. TV Channel/Streaming: ESPN+ When is the Junto Nakatani vs. Ryosuke Nishida fight? Junto Nakatani will fight Ryosuke Nishida this Sunday, June 8 at 4:30 a.m. ET. The fight will take place at Ariake Coliseum in Tokyo, Japan. Where to watch the Junto Nakatani vs. Ryosuke Nishida fight: Junto Nakatani vs. Ryosuke Nishida will stream on ESPN+. Watch Junto Nakatani vs. Ryosuke Nishida ESPN+ You can catch tall of this weekend's Top Rank Boxing with an active ESPN+ subscription. Whether you purchase a standalone plan, add-on, or Disney Bundle plan, the service provides access to thousands of sports events every year, including this weekend's bout between Junto Nakatani and Ryosuke Nishida. Right now you can get your first three months of ESPN+ for just $5/month. $11.99/month at ESPN+ Junto Nakatani vs. Ryosuke Nishida fight card Junto Nakatani vs. Ryosuke Nishida ; Bantamweight, for the WBC and IBF titles Tenshin Nasukawa vs. Victor Santillan ; Bantamweight Van Thao Tran vs. Tomoya Tsuboi ; Bantamweight Riku Masuda vs. Michell Banquez ; Bantamweight Rukia Okubo vs. Takumi Yoneya; Strawweight Other ways to watch the Junto Nakatani vs Ryosuke Nishida fight:
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Keyshawn Davis vs. Edwin De Los Santos canceled after Davis' massive weight miss, Abdullah Mason to headline
Keyshawn Davis' fight with Edwin De Los Santos has been canceled just 24 hours before it was scheduled to take place. Tipping the scales at 139.3 pounds, Davis was more than 4 pounds over the 135-pound lightweight championship limit at Friday's official weigh-in and was thusly stripped of his WBO lightweight world title. His opponent, Edwin De Los Santos, weighed in at 134.7 pounds, successfully making weight. Advertisement Davis' and De Los Santos' teams then attempted to negotiate a deal Friday afternoon after the weight miss, which would've allowed the fight to take place. A six-figure compensation amount for De Los Santos, as well as a rehydration clause, was discussed between the teams, however an agreement couldn't be reached, and therefore the bout has been scrapped at the eleventh hour. The ESPN-televised show at Davis' hometown Scope Arena in Norfolk, Virginia on Saturday will still go ahead, however with Abdullah Mason's lightweight bout against Jeremia Nakathila upgraded to the main event. Kelvin Davis, the brother of Keyshawn, will now open the show on ESPN against Nahir Albright. Advertisement Uncrowned will bring you live round-by-round coverage of the main card. As a result of Friday's developments, the WBO lightweight championship will now become vacant. Unbeaten prospects Sam Noakes and Mason, who are the WBO's No. 1 and No. 2-ranked contenders at lightweight, will likely be ordered to vie for the vacant championship. In an interview after missing weight, Davis indicated that his days at lightweight are over. '[I've] been making this weight for over four years now. I just outgrew the weight," Davis told Top Rank's Crystina Poncher. "I tried [making weight]. I was up late last night. I woke up early this morning, trying to make the weight. I just outgrew the weight. I was feeling it the last time I was fighting [Denys] Berinchyk — I thank God that I made it. Y'all don't know how I was [feeling] making it. But hey, it is what it is.'
