Rising Prospect Brian Norman Jr. Becomes New WBO Interim Welterweight Champion
On Saturday night at the Pechanga Arena, rising prospect Brian Norman Jr. produced a stunning 10th-round knockout victory over hometown favorite Giovani Santillan to become the new WBO interim welterweight champion.
The 23-year-old Norman (26-0, 20 KOs) dominated the action, busting up Santillan’s nose with a powerful right uppercut that ended the fight at the 1:33 mark of the penultimate round. This triumph holds significant implications, as the WBO welterweight title is currently held by the formidable Terence Crawford, who is expected to vacate the division on August 3rd to pursue a clash with WBA junior middleweight titleholder Israil Madrimov.
“You may work hard, but I know I work harder,” declared Norman Jr. after the fight. “He probably got hard work, but I got more to it. He was pressing but not hitting shit. I made him miss and made him pay. I like going to other people’s hometowns and taking what they have.”
Despite fighting in front of his home crowd, the previously undefeated Santillan (32-1, 17 KOs) suffered his first professional defeat. “I know he is a workhorse, but every time I noticed he had to push himself. In round six, he started falling back,” observed Norman Jr.
Looking ahead, the confident young champion has his sights set on future challenges, including potential matchups with contenders such as Mario Barrios and Conor Benn.
“Who would like to fight next? Terence Crawford is about to vacate, this is pretty much the real deal championship [belt] at 23 years old. I would like to get Mario Barrios. He won some interim belt, I want Barrios. Matter of fact, forget Barrios, I want Conor Benn next. I just want to retire him real quick and then I will go back to Mario Barrios.”
Norman Jr. also expressed respect for his sparring sessions with the formidable Terence Crawford, acknowledging the champion’s exceptional abilities.
“You see what Crawford is. He could move up 17 weight classes and knockout Anthony Joshua in the first round if he wants to. The fact that I went rounds with him and it was real deal good work, all the props to him, but I feel I am up there now.”
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