WBO No. 2 ranked welterweight Jin Sasaki (Hachioji Nakaya Gym) — 19 wins (17 KOs), 1 loss, 1 draw — is now on the verge of a world title shot. Teaming up with trainer Hirotaka Nakaya, Sasaki will challenge the undefeated WBO World Welterweight Champion Brian Norman Jr. (USA) — 27 wins (21 KOs), no losses, 2 no contests. Declaring it “a life-changing challenge,” Sasaki has vowed to “make history by winning,” as no Japanese fighter has ever captured a world welterweight title — a truly unprecedented feat.
A world welterweight title fight held in Japan will be the first in approximately 35 years and 6 months, since December 10, 1989, when Fujio Ozaki (Teiken) challenged WBA champion Mark Breland (USA) at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo as the mandatory challenger, but suffered a 4th-round TKO loss.
The 24-year-old champion Norman Jr. arrived in Japan on June 5 with his trainer and father, Norman Sr. — who himself stepped into the ring earlier this year as an active fighter. “We came to win, and we came with plenty of time,” he said confidently. “I became champion by putting everything on the line. I have no intention of giving up this belt easily,” he added, calmly exuding the presence of a true champion.
At the open workout held on June 13 at the Ohashi Gym, although there was no sparring, Brian Norman Jr. showcased a full-throttle gym session for about 30 minutes. Unbothered by the presence of Sasaki’s team observing, he demonstrated sharp footwork during shadowboxing, rapid combinations on the mitts, and powerful punches on the heavy bag. He stated, “I feel like I’m in the best condition I’ve ever been in. I want to show a fight worthy of a true champion. It’s going to be a great match,” giving a clear indication of his strong form.
Norman Jr.’s workout performance left the impression of a strong and focused fighter. However, Jin Sasaki remained confident, saying, “Yes, I thought everything about him was excellent, but I still believe I can win.” Trainer Hirotaka Nakaya added, “He’s strong in every aspect. But everything is within our expectations. This is a fight we can win,” expressing his own confidence.
Sasaki, a native of Hachioji City, joined the Hachioji Nakaya Gym as a first-year junior high school student. Under the guidance of trainer Hirotaka Nakaya, he has climbed the ranks steadily. Back in his hometown of Hachioji, the entire community is rallying behind him, with strong support and high expectations from local fans.
“This time, I truly believe it’s the last chance,” says Hirotaka Nakaya, the trainer guiding Jin Sasaki.
During his time as a trainer at the Saita Gym, Nakaya coached fighters such as Yuji Watanabe—known as “Edo Tyson”—who rose to No. 1 in the WBA super featherweight rankings with 10 consecutive KOs from his debut and went on to challenge for the world title held by Genaro Hernandez (USA). He also trained former Japanese interim welterweight champion Minoru Horiuchi.
In January 1995, Nakaya went independent and founded the Hachioji Nakaya Boxing Gym. He has had a long-standing relationship with Shigeyuki Otake, who was responsible for all domestic matchmaking at Kyoei Gym. On May 18, 1998, during the main event of “Guts Fighting” at Korakuen Hall, Otake was looking for an opponent for Manny Pacquiao (Philippines), who at the time held the OPBF flyweight title. Otake recalled, “When I asked, ‘How about Terao-kun?’ Nakaya immediately said yes.” This led to a match between the soon-to-be-legendary Pacquiao and Terao Shin, the first professional fighter from Hachioji Nakaya Gym.
When Otake’s fighter, former WBA super bantamweight world champion Osamu Sato (Kyoei), held public workouts before his world title fights, Nakaya would always ask, “Otake-san, may I come watch? I hope to do the same someday,” eager to learn and prepare for his own future.
The first fighter from Nakaya’s gym to challenge for a world title was Makoto Fuchigami. Despite a modest amateur record of 5 wins and 7 losses, and a rocky professional start of 2 wins and 3 losses, Fuchigami went on to capture the OPBF middleweight title by defeating Koji Sato (Teiken), who had posted an impressive amateur record of 133 wins in 136 fights.
Riding that momentum, on May 12, 2012 (May 13 Japan time), Makoto Fuchigami boldly stepped into the ring at the Ice Palace Terminal in Brovary, Ukraine, to challenge for the WBA World Middleweight Title. However, the reigning champion at the time was none other than Gennady Golovkin (Kazakhstan). Golovkin, riding a streak of nine consecutive KOs, proved to be too strong. Fuchigami was stopped via TKO in the third round.
“Nakaya is really putting everything on the line,” remarked Shigeyuki Otake.
In 2015, Nakaya passed the role of gym president to his son, Issei Nakaya. Now, he pours all of his experience and emotion into Sasaki’s title challenge. The historic moment is set to unfold on June 19 at Ota City General Gymnasium in Tokyo.
“NTT Docomo Presents Lemino BOXING: WBO World Welterweight Title Match – Brian Norman Jr vs. Jin Sasaki” will be streamed live exclusively on Lemino Premium starting at 3:15 PM on the 19th.
Issei Nakaya, the gym president and son of Hirotaka Nakaya, said, “I want to help make my father’s dream come true!”
We fully support him in that mission!
This article has been translated and published with permission from BOXING MASTER.
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