A world title challenger has made an astonishing revelation after being on the receiving end of a brutal knockout by a powerful world champion.
Boxing fans have witnessed a number of ‘Knockout of the Year’ contenders since the beginning of 2025, including Dave Allen’s explosive victory over Johnny Fisher and Fabio Wardley’s incredible finish against Justis Huni.
However, this week it was an unbeaten world welterweight champion who sent shockwaves through the sport as Brian Norman Jr produced a thunderous left hook in the fifth round of his bout against Jin Sasaki to successfully defend his WBO title at 147lbs.
Japanese contender Sasaki required immediate medical attention after suffering just the second defeat of his career against Norman, who remains the youngest male world champion in boxing as of today at 24 with Gabriella Fundora the youngest female champ at 23.
There had been concern amongst those in attendance at the Ota City General Gymnasium in Tokyo, after Sasaki was removed from the ring on a stretcher and received further treatment backstage.
It has now been confirmed that the 23-year-old has woken up and is responsive following that devastating knockout defeat, but as reported by Daily Online, Sasaki has no recollection of anything that has taken place during the last six weeks of his life. He apparently told the President of his boxing gym, “I don’t even remember that this title match was decided.”
😮 Jin Sasaki doesn't remember anything that happened in the last 6 weeks of his life after waking up from his KO loss to Brian Norman Jr. this morning. (@Daily_Online) pic.twitter.com/oYrEPZ76Pf
— EverythingBoxing | Darshan Desai (@EverythingBoxi2) June 19, 2025
The boxing community remains hopeful that the 23-year-old Japanese star will make a full recovery and suffer no further complications in light of what has been described as a ‘brutal’ knockout by fans and pundits alike.
As for Norman, the 24-year-old from Georgia could be on the verge of securing himself an opportunity to unify his WBO welterweight title, but that won’t be an anticipated showdown with WBA and IBF champion Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis, after the unbeaten 27-year-old announced he will be making the move up to super-welterweight.
