JARON ‘Boots’ Ennis, 34-0 (30 KOs), put together one of the performances of the year, earlier this month, and got fans talking about a potential undisputed run in the welterweight division. There were fresh hopes of seeing the IBF and WBA champion collide with WBO titleholder and fellow undefeated American, Brian Norman Jr, 27-0 (21 KOs).
However, that showdown will now have to wait, following today’s announcement that Norman will travel to Japan to take on hard-hitting Japanese contender, Jin Sasaki (below), 19-1-1 (17 KOs), as the main event of a world title doubleheader Top Rank card.
Norman was upgraded from WBO interim to full world champion last August following the news that Terence Crawford had moved up to the super-welterweight division. Still, it wasn’t until this March that Norman Jr. would make a first defence of his new marble.
Although he is currently the youngest world champion in boxing, 24-year-old Norman looked unperturbed by the pressure of defending the belt. He proved his worth as a champion, running through Derrick Cuevas inside just four rounds in an eye-catching display.
Now it has been confirmed that Norman will attempt a second defence of his WBO strap on June 19 in an enthralling stylistic matchup against the all-action Sasaki in Tokyo. Speaking ahead of the event, the Georgian spoke of his plans to ‘take over the world’.
“The king from the south comes to take over the world. I like how that sounds,” he said.
“On June 19, I’m ready to put on a stellar performance and write another triumphant chapter of ‘The Norman Experience.’”
On the undercard, the co-main event sees the vacant IBF light-flyweight world title up for grabs, as Filipino southpaw Cristian Araneta, 25-2 (20 KOs), meets Thailand’s Thanongsak Simsri, 38-1 (34 KOs), whose only loss came at the hands of two-division conqueror Masamichi Yabuki.
Meanwhile, highly-rated welterweight prospect Soro Tanaka, 3-0 (3 KOs), will hope to continue his perfect start to life in the professional ranks, as he challenges Takeru Kobata, 14-7-1 (6 KOs), for the OPBF title in Tanaka’s fourth official contest.
As for Boots, the WBA has now ordered the Philadelphian to defend his titles against Uzbek mandatory challenger Shakhram Giyasov, 17-0 (10 KOs), within 120 days, meaning a three-belt unification clash with Norman could take place later this year now that their schedules are aligned.
Live on DAZN, April 26 Eubank Jr vs. Benn. Over 30 years of rivalry and hatred all comes down to this! A bloodline born to settle the score, hatred in their blood. Eubank Jr vs. Benn, live on DAZN April 26.
