Norman, 24, put Sasaki flat on his back for over a minute after connecting with a brutal left-hook counter in Round 5 to retain his WBO welterweight title Thursday morning at the Ota City General Gymnasium in Tokyo.

The shot put Sasaki out cold and the Japanese fighter was worked on by medics for several minutes, before being taken out of the ring on a stretcher. It meant Norman stood alone i

Rising welterweight standout Brian Norman Jr. continued his ascension up the boxing ladder Thursday with a crushing one-punch knockout.