Brian Norman Jr., WBO welterweight champion, has suffered a hand injury, and his status is questionable for his title defense against Derrieck Cuevas (27-1-1, 19 KOs) on November 8th. With Norman Jr, 23, potentially off the November 8th card, it leaves a vacant spot that Top Rank will need to fill.
WBO 147-lb champion Norman had been in negotiations recently for a unification fight against IBF champ Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis, but the talks fell apart over money. Boots’ promoter, Eddie Hearn, couldn’t close the deal.
Norman Jr. was one of the two best fighters on the card. The other is lightweight talent, Abdullah Mason. Those two are the real stars of this event.
Chris Mannix reports that Norman Jr. (26-0, 20 KOs) has a hand injury, which puts his status in doubt for the co-feature spot on the Keyshawn Davis vs. Gustavo Lemos card on ESPN.+.
If Norman Jr. is scratched from the card, Top Rank will need to decide who to move up to the co-feature spot. Keyshawn’s brother, light welterweight fringe contender Kelvin Davis (13-0, 7 KOs), is fighting Yeis Solano on the undercard. However, fans don’t view Kelvin as a future world champion. He’s an average fighter, but he has limited power and skills.
Abdullah Mason (15-0, 13 KOs) is scheduled to face Yohan Vasquez (26-5, 21 KOs) in an eight-round fight. Mason, 20, is the logical replacement for Norman Jr. in the chief support slot. If Top Rank moves Mason to the chief support spot, it will ensure that fans won’t miss Norman Jr.
The southpaw Mason should be the headliner on the card because he’s a far better fighter than Keyshawn Davis and a much more entertaining guy. Keyshawn hasn’t shown any progress since losing to Cuba’s Andy Cruz in the finals of the 2020 Olympics, and it’s doubtful whether he’ll pan out as a pro.
The 25-year-old Keyshawn has been fishing for big paydays against Teofimo Lopez, Gervonta Davis, and Devin Haney, but with no luck.
Mannix says ticket sales are “outstanding” for the Keyshawn vs. Lemos event, and he’s expecting it to be a sell out at the Scopes Arena in Norfolk, Virginia. This is the 2020 Olympic silver medalist Keyshawn’s hometown, so it’s not surprising that the tickets are moving.
Brian Norman, who is scheduled to defend his 147-pound title on November 8th, has a hand injury and his status for a scheduled fight against Derrieck Cuevas is questionable, sources told @SInow.
— Chris Mannix (@SIChrisMannix) September 27, 2024
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