Arguably the most exciting matchup of June when it comes to both stakes and spectacle.

Brian Norman Jr. is an aggressive, high-intensity champion.

Jin Sasaki is a fan-favorite pressure fighter who recently ended a six-fight KO streak—not by defeat, but by a dominant unanimous decision win. Expect a fight full of firefights, technical wear-downs, and flash counters—from both sides.

Very little separates the two: Norman is 24, Sasaki is 23.

Both have already faced solid tests. Norman has defeated names like Giovani Santillan and Derrieck Cuevas, legitimate contenders. Sasaki rode a six-fight KO streak from 2022 to 2025, which ended with a UD win over the durable Sakai.

Sasaki averages ~446 punches per fight Norman throws ~415 punches on average

The difference lies in pacing and accuracy. Norman ramps up throughout the fight, peaking around round 10. Sasaki starts strong, but his output tends to drop off after round 8.

However, Sasaki lands a remarkable 34% of his punches vs. 20% for Norman.

Both fighters are consistently active. Each has fought once already in 2025. Both fought twice in 2024, and three times in 2023.

Neither man likes long layoffs, and both come in with solid momentum.

Statistically, Sasaki carries more knockout power, with a higher KO percentage. But Norman’s recent wins—early knockouts over two credible opponents—suggest he’s not far behind.

Norman’s self-belief in his power could prove dangerous for his opponent.

Norman has never been stopped. Sasaki has been knocked out once, in 2021 by Andy Hiraoka—a tall, slick southpaw who worked masterfully from range.

This will be the first fight in Ota City General Gymnasium for both men.

Norman is fighting on enemy territory, which says a lot about his marketability—he can earn more in Japan than at home.

That said, Japanese judging is generally fair, and the crowd is unlikely to affect the outcome significantly.

Norman knows he’s on the cusp of major title unifications.

He’s eyeing a fight with Jaron Ennis, who recently faced Eimantas Stanionis and shows no interest in fighting Teofimo Lopez.

Norman believes he can beat Boots Ennis and must win this fight decisively—preferably by KO—to make that super fight realistic.

Sasaki, though, is a different beast than he was when he lost to Hiraoka. He’s stronger, more accurate, and more focused.

If anyone is going to derail Norman’s plans, it might just be him.

Expect fireworks.