Brian Norman: 'I am the true definition of a world champion'
Embraces trip to Japan for WBO 147 title defense vs. Sasaki on Thursday
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When the prospect of going overseas to defend the WBO welterweight title was brought to Brian Norman’s attention he was fine with it. He was also fine with that fight taking place in the challenger’s hometown.
Norman’s perspective is that no matter where a boxing ring is set up that is where he belongs.
“No matter what, we’ll step into that ring. I’m back at home again,” Norman told Fight Freaks Unite.
The Decatur, Georgia, native has traveled nearly 7,000 miles to Japan to defend his belt against Jin Sasaki in the main event of an Ohashi Promotions card on Thursday (ESPN+ in U.S., at 4 a.m. ET, main event at approximately 7:15 a.m. ET) at Ota City General Gymnasium in Tokyo.
“I actually don’t have a problem at all going to Japan. I love going to enemy territory and to their hometown and country and having everything for them,” the Top Rank-promoted Norman said. “So you have no excuse for literally anything. We’re right here, in your backyard, your fans, your this and your that. So, it’s just like you show that while you are your best self, I’m still better than you.”
The fight will be Norman’s first outside the United States but not his first time boxing in his opponent’s hometown. When Norman won the vacant interim title in May 2024, he faced unbeaten favorite Giovani Santillan in his hometown of San Diego and delivered a bloody beat down en route to a 10th-round knockout.
