Brian Norman Jr., the reigning WBO world welterweight champion, will defend his belt against Derrieck Cuevas in Las Vegas on Saturday night. The duo meet in the co-main event of the Mikaela Mayer vs Sandy Ryan 2 card at Fontainebleau. Will the strap change hands, or will Norman fend off the challenge? Find out what to expect from this bout in our Norman Jr. vs. Cuevas prediction.
Tale of the tape
With a flawless record of 26-0 and 20 knockouts, Norman enters the ring boasting 92 rounds of professional experience since his 2018 debut.
The Georgia-native became the WBO international welterweight champion in November, 2023, by picking up a unanimous decision win against Quinton Randall. He last stepped into the ring in May, 2024, when he knocked out Giovani Santillan to win the vacant WBO interim welterweight title.
Cuevas, meanwhile, steps through the ropes with a 27-1-1 record. He brings 130 rounds of professional experience in this fight, spanning across a 10-year-old career.
The Puerto Rican boxer’s highlight wins have come against Breidis Prescott, Javier Garcia, Luis Ernesto Jose, Thomas Mendez, Albert Mensah, Silverio Ortiz, Ed Paredes, Alberto Beltran, Damian Rodriguez, and Alberto Mosquera.
He lost to Damian Ezequiel Bonelli in 2020 and shared the bragging rights with Samuel Santana five years earlier.
Norman Jr. vs Cuevas prediction hot tip: Norman Jr. to win
The numbers reveal that both fighters pack immense power. Norman Jr. has scored 20 knockouts, while Cuevas has one fewer, with 19 KO victories on his record. That said, Norman has battled a more distinguished roster of opponents. Also, Cueva has not fought since December, 2023. So, he might have to deal with some ring rust.
In a gripping slugfest, Norman displayed a strong chin and remarkable power against Santillan. He not only showed his knockout power but also some remarkable boxing skills, combining aggression with technique. The 24-year-old is six years younger than Cuevas, which should give him an edge in speed and endurance.
The thrill of defending his championship for the first time should also spur him on here. Although this fight is anticipated to be a hard-fought one, Norman's mix of strength, youth, and smart boxing should be sufficient for him to keep his title. Expect him to exit the ring with the belt held tightly around his waist despite Cuevas' experience and solid record.
Brian Norman Jr. vs Derrieck Cuevas: Key stats
- With a 77% knockout rate against Cuevas' 70%, the statistics indicate Norman has a slight power edge in this bout.
- Cuevas is the taller fighter of the two at five-feet, nine-inches. Norman is an inch shorter.
- Norman has a 100% winning record. Cuevas also has a near perfect winning rate of 93%.
Fight odds and win probability
Here are the current Norman Jr. vs Cuevas odds:
Brian Norman Jr.: 1/5 (1.20) – Implied probability 83.3%
Derrieck Cuevas: 5/1 (6.00) – Implied probability 16.7%
*Brian Norman Jr. vs Derrieck Cuevas betting odds from Boylesports, subject to change.
Keys to victory
Cuevas will enter the fray with more experience, but he will face an uphill battle against a younger, hungrier, and more accomplished opponent. However, there are avenues that Cuevas can try to exploit to swing the momentum of the fight in his favour. Norman also has his own blueprint to win this fight.
Brian Norman Jr. – Take advantage of his agility
Norman Jr. is six years younger than Cuevas, and this age difference may well be significant in the latter stages of the fight. His faster reflexes and better endurance should enable him to keep a high work rate all through the battle. Norman has to remain active, using his quickness to outrun Cuevas and prevent him from settling in.
Although Norman is famous for his knockout strength, his win over Santillan showed that he can box smartly when required. Norman has to use his strength wisely to win, using movement and well-timed combinations to land punches instead of depending just on raw force.
Derrieck Cuevas – Make Norman pay when he overcommits
Cuevas is well known as a dangerous counterpuncher. He has to take advantage of Norman Jr.'s aggressiveness, seeking chances to score clean shots when his opponent overcommits. Cuevas should be able to read Norman's moves and take advantage of any errors given his experience.
Cuevas can try to work the body to limit Norman’s attacking efficiency too. Regular body shots would drain Norman's energy and hinder his ability to keep his quick speed and power output.
Bren is our resident Kiwi, and has been playing or watching sports down under in New Zealand for the better part of three decades. With 12+ years experience as a professional writer, Bren loves to dive deep into all things sport to bring the best betting analysis and predictions here at Mr Fixits Tips.
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