BEFORE his bout with Derrieck Cuevas, Brian Norman Jr stated that only defending belts make a champion. Norman must feel like a fully-fledged champ now after his three-round domination of overmatched challenger Derrieck Cuevas.
Norman shook off a hand injury that derailed the close of 2024 and showed no ill effects, hitting Cuevas in the head with both paws. Improving to 27-0 (21 KOs), Norman has displayed more patience and judgement of range in recent outings, starting with a 10th-round beating of Giovani Santillan last May.
That win earned Norman the WBO Interim strap. He was elevated to full holder after Terence Crawford moved up to chase a Canelo fight. This first defence started promisingly as the Atlanta fighter softened Cuevas up on the jab in round one before letting some heavy leather fly in the second.
A left hook at the back end of the second had Cuevas wobbly and almost touching down. That same left hook, followed by a right hand at the close of the third, sent Cuevas to the canvas. Rising for a walk, Cuevas ignored referee Thomas Taylor’s instructions and was correctly counted out at 2-59 of round three.
After dismissing Cuevas, now 27-2-1 (19 KOs), Norman made his intentions known. A clash with the winner of Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis and Eimantas Stanionis on April 12 is on his mind.
