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.

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

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