Fight results

The upcoming fight between Brian Norman Jr. and Derrieck Cuevas has the potential to ignite—but not from the opening bell. This one looks like a slow burner, with both men using contrasting styles that could lead to a dynamic second half.

Norman often works as an active counterpuncher. He moves well, lures opponents in, and sometimes presses forward—but he shines when his rivals gradually push the pace, giving him the openings he needs to strike. That’s exactly how Cuevas operates: methodical pressure, patiently stalking, and then exploding into action once the opponent opens up.

This fight could come down to who finds their rhythm first—and whether they can withstand the inevitable storm when the other tries to break it.

Norman is only 24, while Cuevas is 30, but the American already holds the edge in terms of experience at the elite level. He’s a world champion, has fought for an interim title three times, and was even linked to a possible clash with division star Jaron Ennis.

For Cuevas, this is the biggest fight of his career—his first shot at a world title. And his first real step into the spotlight.

It’s no surprise, given their styles, that both fighters have similar punch counts in recent bouts. Norman actually throws slightly fewer punches and lands at a marginally lower rate—but that stat is misleading.

The level of opposition matters, and Norman has been consistently facing higher-tier opponents than Cuevas.

Norman has been active and sharp. He’s fought twice already this year—one win by knockout, the other ruled a no-contest due to a cut.

Cuevas, on the other hand, will be stepping into the ring for the first time in 2024. His last outing was in 2023, when he scored three consecutive KOs. But he’s also had extended breaks before—he didn’t fight at all between 2020 and 2022, following the first loss of his career.

Neither man is known as a one-punch KO artist, but both carry respectable power.

Norman is especially dangerous with shots from awkward angles—his uppercut knockout of Santillán being a prime example. Cuevas has built a strong streak of stoppage victories too: since 2020, he’s fought four times and scored four knockouts.

Both fighters have shown solid durability—but neither is invincible. If a knockout comes, it’s likely to happen after the halfway point.

Cuevas has never been truly tested the way Norman can test him. Whether he can take that heat is still unknown—but we’re about to find out.

Clear edge to the champ. While this will only be Norman’s second fight in Las Vegas, he’s fighting on home turf.

Cuevas is no stranger to the U.S.—this will be his eighth fight on American soil (6 wins, 1 loss)—but fighting for a world title brings a different level of pressure, and he may not get the same reception from fans or judges.

Norman is on the rise. A young, ambitious champion who turned down a fight with Ennis—not out of fear, but likely due to timing and business sense. He has big plans and the physical tools to stick around in the welterweight division for a long time.

Cuevas? He’s out to ruin all of it. A win would be one of the year’s biggest upsets, but pulling it off won’t be easy.

Santillán pushed the pace and forced Norman into intense exchanges—but Brian held firm, then knocked him out. Cuevas will need more than pressure to pull this off. He’ll need something special.