It remains to be seen whether Jin Sasaki possesses or lacks the skills necessary to dethrone Brian Norman Jnr.
What is undeniable is the challenger’s beaming confidence.
That much was on display when the two met in person earlier this spring. Japan’s Sasaki, 19-1-1 (17 KOs), made a point to travel to Las Vegas, where Norman, 27-0 (21 KOs), smoked Derrieck Cuevas inside of three rounds to defend his WBO welterweight title at Fontainebleau Las Vegas.
Norman met with media backstage when he was joined by the leading contender in the WBO 147lbs rankings. The introduction was quick and to the point.
“Congratulations, champ,” Sasaki told Norman. “I'm Jin Sasaki, the man who will become Japanese first welterweight world champion.”
Sasaki will have his chance to back up his claim when they meet this Thursday. ESPN+ will air their scheduled 12-round title fight from Ota-City General Gymnasium in Sasaki’s hometown of Tokyo.
Norman will attempt the second defense of his strap, while Sasaki enters his first career title fight with his eye on history.
The Japanese boxing scene is in the heart of its golden era. However, its dominance has been limited to the lower weight divisions.
Sasaki hopes to break the unlucky streak of Japanese welterweights who’ve fallen short in title fights. The all-action 23-year old carries a nine-fight unbeaten streak (8-0-1) into the ring, including his deepest outing to date. Sasaki went all 12 rounds in a points win over countryman Shoki Sakai on January 24 at Ariake Arena in Tokyo.
Neither history nor the odds are in Sasaki’s favor.
Norman, 24, fights outside of North America for the first time but arrived in Tokyo as a -450 favorite, according to BetMGM. Sasaki is listed as a +350 underdog by the same sportsbook, but he only uses it as motivation to achieve something no other Japanese fighter has done at this weight.
“Every day I think about the world championship on June 19, and my heart is pounding like it’s going to burst,” insisted Sasaki. “My victory will not be a miracle or a coincidence; it’s inevitable.
“This is the fight for my life, and it will be the most important day of my life.”