The rising Japanese star failed in his quest to become a world champion after being brutally knocked out and, post-fight, the 23-year-old has reportedly lost six weeks of his memory
Japanese boxer Jin Sasaki has lost SIX WEEKS of his memory after being brutally knocked out in his world title fight by Brian Norman Jr last week.
Sasaki and Norman Jr went head-to-head in a WBO welterweight title showdown in Tokyo last Thursday. The 23-year-old’s quest to claim the 147lbs strap ended in a destructive fifth-round knockout. A counter left hook from the American connected flush on the young Japanese’s jaw and sent him crashing to the canvas.
The back of Sasaki’s head smacked off the canvas before medical staff were quick to tend to him after the referee waved off the contest. The fighter was motionless for minutes afterwards, before eventually being stretchered away by ringside medical staff. Sasaki was then rushed to the hospital – where underwent a series of neurological tests.
Medical scans showed that the 23-year-old had no serious brain injury, but according to the president of his boxing gym, Issei Nakaya, part of Sasaki’s memory had been wiped. Sasaki reportedly told him: «I don’t even remember that this title match was decided.»
A statement on the condition of the boxer read: «Sasaki Tsutomu was taken to the hospital after the match and underwent a CT scan. There were no injuries such as bleeding. However, he hit the back of his head hard and is currently losing his memory. There were no visible physical injuries, but we will be keeping an eye on him and he will be going back to the hospital tomorrow for another checkup.»
The loss to Norman Jr was just the Japanese fighter’s second in his professional career. He earned his shot at the WBO welterweight title after defeating the likes of Joe Noynay, Qamil Balla and Shoki Sakai. Speaking after the fight, Norman Jr said: «It was a wonderful fight.
«I had a very great opponent in front of me. Y’all seen that he got heart. That boy is not a slouch at all and I give nothing but props to him. I love y’all over here in Japan and I will gladly come back.» Norman Jr is now eyeing up on unification fights in the near future. That said, a mouthwatering showdown with IBF and WBA champion Jaron Ennis could now be off the cards after ‘Boots’ recently announced his intentions to move up to 154lbs due to difficulties with making 147lbs.
«About the future, I wish I had a certain fight coming up, but they heard there was a storm coming,» Norman Jr said of a potential clash with Ennis post-fight. «And you all know what happens when a storm is coming, you grab your boots and run. We shall see what is next for me. Hopefully October or November, we can get something, but we shall see.»
