Norman Jr. stops Sasaki in five, retains WBO title

Brian Norman Jr. (28-0, 22 KO) stopped Jin Sasaki (19-2-1, 17 KOs) in round five and retained the WBO World welterweight title.

Norman Jr. stopped Sasaki with a powerful left hook at 0:46 in round five. Unbeaten champion started fast and dropped Sasaki twice in round one. Sasaki beat the count and tried to fight, but in round five he was dropped by a powerful left.

“That was a very fun fight,” Norman Jr.  told ESPN after his second successful title defense. “Jin Sasaki came to fight. I got nothing but respect for him. I can’t wait to come back here.”

In the other title fight in the event, Thailand’s Thanongskak Simrsi (39-1) defeated Cristian Araneta (25-3) via split decision (116:111, 115:112 and 113:114) for vacant IBF World light-flyweight title.