Brian Norman Jr. (26-0, 20 KOs) won a lot of new fans last Saturday night, stopping Giovanni Santillan (32-1, 17 KOs) in the tenth round to claim the vacant WBO interim welterweight title at the Pechanga Arena in San Diego, California.
The Ennis vs. Norman Jr. Dream Matchup
The WBO interim 147-lb title the 23-year-old Norman Jr. captured will soon be elevated to the full belt, making him one of the champions that IBF welterweight champion Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis will be targeting on his path to becoming undisputed. That’s the fight to make, and U.S. boxing fans would want to see it.
Norman Jr. looked impressive last Saturday night, knocking the previously unbeaten Santillan down twice in the tenth round with powerful uppercuts. The referee had no choice but to stop the contest after the second knockdown because Santillan was out of it.
The other title holders are welterweight are these two:
– Mario Barrios: WBC interim
– Eimantas Stanionis: WBA
Why Brian Norman Jr. Stands Out
Norman Jr. is a much bigger puncher than Barrios and Stanionis, and his fighting style is more entertaining. A match between Norman Jr. and Boots Ennis would be a war of attrition and fun while it lasts.
Boots Ennis’ promoter, Eddie Hearn, wants to make those fights happen as soon as possible after his fighter defends against his IBF mandatory Cody Crowley on July 13th in Philadelphia.
It’ll be more interesting for fans to see Boots fight Brian Norman Jr. next while the 23-year-old’s victory over Santillan is still fresh in their minds. Norman Jr. was put on the map with his victory over Santillan, as before that match, he was mostly known by the hardcore boxing fans.
“He was pressing but not hitting s**t. I made him miss and made him pay. I like going to other people’s hometowns and taking what they have. Whoever they have next for me, I’m ready for the challenge.”
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