Brian Norman Jr.: “It Won’t Be a Long Fight!”
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 21 Mar 2025
Norman will defend his WBO welterweight world title against Derrieck Cuevas on Saturday, March 29, at BleauLive Theater at Fontainebleau Las Vegas LIVE on ESPN
LAS VEGAS (March 20, 2025) — Brian Norman Jr. says a champ isn’t a champ until he defends his belt, and he’s ready to do just that.
Norman will put his WBO welterweight world title on the line against Puerto Rican challenger Derrieck Cuevas on Saturday, March 29, at BleauLive Theater at Fontainebleau Las Vegas.
Norman-Cuevas will be the co-feature to the rematch between WBO female welterweight world champion Mikaela Mayer and former titleholder Sandy Ryan.
Mayer-Ryan II and Norman-Cuevas will be broadcast live on ESPN, ESPN Deportes, and ESPN+ at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.
Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Matchroom Boxing, tickets are on sale via https://www.fontainebleaulasvegas.com/entertainment/top-rank-boxing/.
Norman (26-0, 20 KOs) captured the interim title with a 10th-round knockout over previously unbeaten Giovani Santillan last May. He was elevated to full champion after Terence Crawford vacated the belt later that year. The win capped a breakout run for the Atlanta native, who signed with Top Rank in 2023 and notched three victories that year. Cuevas (27-1-1, 19 KOs) enters the biggest challenge of his career riding a four-fight knockout streak, including a sixth-round TKO against Marlon Aguas in December 2023.
While spending a week in Las Vegas for sparring, away from his Georgia training camp, this is what Norman had to say:
“I’m very excited. I feel like a champion is not a champion until that first title defense. I’ve got a wonderful competitor coming against me. So, it’s time to prove that I am the real deal champion.”
“He's a very tough fighter. He’s coming to change his life. This is a championship fight. So, I know how that feels. He’s thinking, ‘All I have to do is win this one fight, and my whole life changes.’ So, I understand how he’s coming. He’s very strong and powerful. He’s coming to knock my head off. It’s going to be a very good fight, but I don’t think it will be a long one.”
“I see {being a champion} as a good thing because I’m still a hunter. I’m hunting for knowledge. I’m hunting for experience. And I’m hunting for more skills. I want to see how far I can go.”
“I’m 1,000 percent ready. I’m ready to go. I’m to fight tomorrow. Sign me up. Where the gloves at? Throw me in there!”
"After this fight, we can get that unification fight. I’m right here. I’m not going anywhere. I’m 24 years old. I’m going to be a welterweight for a smooth minute. Let’s get these fights in.”
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
MONTE-CARLO SHOWDOWN VI FIGHT NIGHT RESULTS AS MASOUD BEATS McGRAIL
Sun, 07 Dec 2025Pitbull Cruz and Lamont Roach Battle to Controversial Majority Draw in High-Intensity Title Clash
Sun, 07 Dec 2025Boxing, Mixed Martial Arts and Ju-jitsu in Thailand SEA Games
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 06 Dec 2025Mapua, IIEE Singapore and IM Concio wins the 7th IIEE ANC Cup co-awarded by GM Torre
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 06 Dec 2025Pontinos to see action in PH Jetski in SEA Games
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 06 Dec 2025Pitbull vs. Roach Jr & Co-Headliner Foster vs. Fulton Make for Solid PPV
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 06 Dec 2025Weights from Philadelphia
Sat, 06 Dec 2025MONTE-CARLO SHOWDOWN VI WEIGH-IN RESULTS AND FIGHT NIGHT RUNNING ORDER CONFIRMED WITH MASOUD AND McGRAIL SET TO BATTLE
Sat, 06 Dec 2025Herlan Gomez, Jason Moloney Make Weight for WBC Australasia Bantamweight Battle in Australia
By Carlos Costa, Fri, 05 Dec 2025OLYMPIC BOXING 5: 1928 OLYMPICS AT AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS
By Maloney L. Samaco, Fri, 05 Dec 2025MONTE-CARLO SHOWDOWN VI PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
Fri, 05 Dec 2025Class of 2026 Announced in Canastota
Fri, 05 Dec 2025Thailand’s Niyomtrong “Knockout CPF” Decisions Junior Zárate, Becomes World Champion Again
By Carlos Costa, Fri, 05 Dec 2025WORLD RANKED FILIPINO BOXERS AS OF DECEMBER 2025 BY THE RING, WBC, WBA, IBF, AND WBO
By Maloney L. Samaco, Fri, 05 Dec 2025Shinard Bunch Takes on John Paul Magalong on Tuesday, January 13th at The UFC Gym North Brunswick in North Brunswick, NJ
Fri, 05 Dec 2025