Tokyo fight night turned scary Thursday, when Japan’s Jin Sasaki fell unconscious after a left hook counter from WBO welterweight champion Brian Norman Jr. Sasaki crawled in to let his hands go, but Norman Jr. knocked him clear out with a punch that left him lying face down for several moments. His head hit hard against the canvas, and it was momentarily alarming to see the Kushimoto, Wakayama native in such a dazed position as referee Kiyotaka Suzuki inspected him. Ringside officials quickly jumped into action, and Sasaki lay on the canvas motionless for over a minute before they loaded him onto a stretcher and rushed him to the hospital.
The hospital scanned Sasaki and found no bleeding or structural damage, but the findings are disturbing: Sasaki has lost the last six weeks of his memory, according to gym president Issei Nakaya. "He doesn't even remember we were putting together the title match," Nakaya said. The hospital discharged the fighter the same day; however, he will have additional tests, while his team will monitor for delayed symptoms.
Watch Sasaki vs. Norman Jr. highlights: Watch
Sasaki's amnesia is a stark reminder of boxing's inherent risks. Sasaki is rising puncher who was entering the match with only one previous loss. He faces medical testing that could temporarily incapacitate and perhaps affect the trajectory of his promising career. Norman Jr., on the other hand, has moved to 28-0 and joined the best in the division, but the last view of opponent Sasaki lying silent on the canvas is disturbing.
Promoters and commissions will review the actions surrounding this alarming moment, but the most immediate thing to proceed with is Sasaki's neurological recovery. Until he regains his memory, or doctors determine he is free from cognitive issues, the knockout from Tokyo is a reminder that every fight could produce some unknown consequences long after the final bell.
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