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.

Jin Sasaki has no memory of the night he attempted to make history as the first Japanese boxer to win a welterweight world title.

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