It was a show of respect from Norman, an American who appreciated the way he was treated throughout his stay in Sasaki\u2019s home country. The Ring expressed its respect for Norman\u2019s impressive performance by presenting him Friday night with its \u201cKnockout of the Year\u201d for 2025 at its second annual awards gala at Cipriani in New York.<\/p>\n
Norman, 25, dropped Sasaki twice in the first round, but it was his sweeping left hook that knocked Sasaki flat on his back, out cold, in the fifth. <\/p>\n
Sasaki remained still for a few minutes. He was taken from the ring on a stretcher, but he fully recovered and is scheduled to return to the ring February 19 in Tokyo.<\/p>\n
Norman (28-1, 22 KOs, 1 NC), of Conyers, Georgia, lost his WBO welterweight title to Devin Haney by unanimous decision in his following fight November 22 on \u201cThe Ring IV: Night of the Champions\u201d card in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Nothing, however, could take away from his superb showing five months earlier in his first fight outside of the United States.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe fought brilliantly,\u201d Bob Arum, Norman\u2019s promoter, told The Ring soon after his knockout of Sasaki. \u201cI think he\u2019s the king of the welterweights now. He has tremendous confidence. He\u2019s a really good fighter. He understands ring generalship. He\u2019s very composed and there\u2019s no welterweight that hits as hard as he does.\u201d<\/p>\n
The other finalists (chronologically):<\/p>\n
Fabio Wardley over Justis Huni (10th round, June 7)<\/p>\n
Oleksandr Usyk over Daniel Dubois (fifth round, July 19)<\/p>\n
Jesse Rodriguez over Fernando Martinez (10th round, November 22)<\/p>\n
Frank Martin over Rances Barthelemy (fourth round, December 6)<\/p>\n
Keith Idec is a senior writer and columnist for The Ring. He can be reached on X @idecboxing<\/p>\n
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