Japanese welterweight boxer Jin Sasaki has suffered memory loss spanning six weeks following his knockout defeat to Brian Norman Jr in Tokyo on Thursday. The 23-year-old cannot recall the WBO title bout being arranged after sustaining a fifth-round stoppage.
Sasaki was hospitalised immediately after the fight but released the same day following neurological examinations. Whilst CT scans revealed no bleeding or serious brain injury, the fighter has lost recollection of recent weeks.
The memory loss emerged when Sasaki told his gym president Issei Nakaya: "I don't even remember that this title match was decided." Further medical assessments are scheduled as doctors monitor his recovery from the knockout blow.
The bout for the WBO welterweight title saw Sasaki face the toughest challenge of his professional career against the undefeated American. Norman Jr ended the contest with a devastating counter left hook that caught Sasaki squarely on the jaw during the fifth round.
Jin Sasaki suffered a brutal knockout during his match
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The impact sent the Japanese fighter crashing to the canvas, with the back of his head striking the ring floor. Medical personnel rushed to attend to Sasaki, who remained motionless for more than a minute whilst the referee completed a futile count.
The severity of the knockout prompted immediate medical intervention. Sasaki was stretchered from the arena and transported to hospital for urgent neurological assessment.
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A statement regarding Sasaki's condition confirmed: "Sasaki Tsutomu was taken to the hospital after the match and underwent a CT scan.
There were no injuries such as bleeding. However, he hit the back of his head hard and is currently losing his memory."
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Jin Sasaki had to be stretchered out of the ring following the match
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The statement added: "There were no visible physical injuries, but we will be keeping an eye on him and he will be going back to the hospital tomorrow for another checkup."
Despite the concerning memory loss, medical staff determined Sasaki had sustained no serious brain injury. The knockout blow and subsequent impact when his head struck the canvas appear to have caused temporary amnesia affecting his recall of the previous six weeks.
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The defeat marked only the second loss in Sasaki's professional boxing career. His attempt to capture the WBO welterweight championship represented his most significant opportunity to date in the 147-pound division.
Norman Jr's victory extended his unblemished record to 28 wins without defeat. The American's fifth-round stoppage in Tokyo positions him to pursue unification bouts within the welterweight division.
The memory loss has raised big concerns over Jin Sasaki's boxing future
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The brutal nature of the knockout has raised questions about Sasaki's immediate future in the sport. Medical professionals will continue monitoring his condition as he recovers from the memory loss that has erased six weeks of his life, including all preparation for the title fight.
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