Boxing Sensation Brian Norman Jr. Conquers Hostile Hometown of Unbeaten Giovani Santillan to Claim Interim Welterweight Title
June 20, 2023 – In a thrilling clash at the Pechanga Sports Arena in San Diego, Georgia’s own Brian Norman Jr. (26-0, 20 KOs) emerged victorious against the undefeated Giovani Santillan (32-1) to claim the WBO interim welterweight championship.
Stepping into the hometown of his opponent, the 23-year-old Norman knew he had a daunting task ahead. Santillan, the local favorite, was expected to enjoy the fervent support of the San Diego crowd. However, Norman had a plan to silence the cheer-leading Santillan fans.
“We kept thinking if we keep moving, it’s going to tap into the idea we’re running from him, and make him press even more. So let’s go to the fire zone, let’s see what kind of fight he can bring, see how hard it is. So I can do the blazing and press him.”
This strategy proved to be a masterstroke, as Norman’s blistering punches, particularly his straight right hand, began to take a toll on Santillan. The Georgia native proceeded to cut and mark up his opponent, even staggering him at times, much to the surprise of the ringside observers.
Sensing Santillan’s fatigue in the later rounds, Norman seized the opportunity. “I didn’t calm down … and then I sent him down,” he said, describing the decisive moments of the fight. A vicious right uppercut in the 10th round left Santillan’s already bloodied nose erupting, and the local favorite crumbled to the canvas.
Norman’s savage approach was a response to the hostile environment he faced. “The crowd had really got me. I have nothing against Giovani. But I was in San Diego, everyone was booing me. Even before the knockout, I could still hear the shouts of ‘Gio! Gio!’ So I felt like I was the villain that night.”
The victory earned Norman the WBO interim welterweight title, positioning him to become the full champion once current champion Terence Crawford relinquishes his belts. This achievement places Norman among an elite group of only four world champions from Georgia, including the legendary Evander Holyfield and Vernon Forrest.
“I definitely feel like a champion,” Norman remarked, a sentiment echoed by his manager, Jolene Mizzone, who stated, “A 23-year-old went into somebody else’s backyard and, in the last minute, the fight was made an interim championship. That’s a lot of pressure. Let alone that night. Brian proved the best revenge is proving a lot of people wrong.”
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