Each ring appearance didn’t always produce spectacular results, but once Brian Norman Jr. found his stride, he looked as good as just about anyone.
Against Giovani Santillan, Norman made his fans rich as he turned his underdog odds into an eye-catching win. That victory was everything he wanted but even more importantly, he needed to prove that he could build off it.
Mission accomplished.
This past weekend, Derrieck Cuevas was his latest victim. But, prior to getting violently stopped in the third round, the Puerto Rican strolled to the ring confident. A few minutes later, he was bloodied and beaten.
Once it was all said and done, Norman looked directly into the lens of the camera but didn’t say a word. His message was simple to understand. He merely wanted fans to take a good hard look at his face and get used to it.
“I’m not just a champion but a future legend in the game,” said Norman immediately following his win.
Now, it’s all about laying the foundation and driving on that path to becoming a legend. Luckily for him, the welterweight division has the sort of names that will allow him to show what he's got.
Outside of the WBO title he has in his possession, the 24-year-old’s competition won't be easy. Eimantas Stanionis sleeps with his WBA title under his pillow at night, Jaron Ennis has no intention of giving up his IBF crown, and Mario Barrios doesn’t believe anyone will take his WBC belt away from him.
In due time, Norman has a feeling that he’ll make all of his fellow champions eat their words. Until that day comes, however, he wants fans to keep heading over to the box office to purchase tickets to watch him fight live.
“It’s the Brian Norman show. So now y’all better come out and see me.”