Brian Norman Jr. vs Josh Wagner Preview May 16th, 2026
Former WBO Welterweight Champion Brian Norman Jr of Decatur, Georgia returns to the ring this Saturday, May 16th to battle it out with Josh Wagner of Orangeville, Ontario, Canada. Norman last fought in November when he was attempting to defend his belt for the third time but dropped a unanimous decision to former world champion Devin Haney after being dropped in the second round. Wagner last boxed in November when he lost a wide 10-round unanimous decision to Harlem Eubank. The 10-round welterweight bout takes place in Norfolk, Virginia and can be seen live on DAZN in most nations. Norman stopped Jin Sisaki in the fifth round in his second defence. He won the interim WBO Title in May, 2024 when he stopped Giovani Santillan in the 10th round and then took the full title when Terence Crawford gave up the belt and Norman stopped Derrick Cuevas in the third round.
Norman Jr vs Wagner Betting Odds
Here are the betting odds from online sportsbook BetOnline.ag (full review here).
- Josh Wagner +900
- Brian Norman Jr -1800
My Pick
The 25-year-old Norman Jr enters the ring with a fine record of 28-1 with 22 Ko’s and has 112 rounds of pro experience under his belt since making his debut in 2018. He was the youngest male world champion until losing his crown to Haney. As an amateur, Norman won the 2016 USA Junior Olympics Final. He stands 5-feet-8 inches tall with a 72-inch reach and carries very good power in his fists as 78.6 per cent of his wins have come by stoppage but has gone the distance in four of his last seven official fights.
His bout with Janelson Bocachica in March, 2024 was called a no-contest in the third round as both boxers suffered severe cuts. Norman was defending his WBO International Welterweight Belt which he had won in November, 2023 via a 10-round unanimous decision over Quinton Randall. Norman made his pro debut in Houston, Texas and then fought a dozen times in Mexico and none of his first 12 opponents had a winning record and the same can be said for 16 of his 29 overall opponents. Norman’s biggest wins have been against Sisaki, Cuevas, Santillan, Carlos Ramirez, Flavio Rodriguez, Juan Rodriguez Jr, Benjamin Whitaker, Rodrigo Coria, Jesus Campos and Quinton Randall.
Wagner is a 33-year-old who turned pro in 2013 and makes the ring walk with a mark of 19-2 with 10 Ko’s. He has 122 rounds of experience to his name and as an amateur he fought at the 2011 Canadian National Senior Elite Championships where he won a silver medal. He also won the 2010 Canadian Youth National Championships and competed at the 2012 Canadian Amateur Elite Championships. He stands 5-feet-11-inches tall for a three-inch height advantage on Norman but has an unlisted reach.
As far as power is concerned, Wagner is just above average as 52.6 per cent of his wins have come by stoppage and he has stopped two of his last seven opponents. His first defeat came at the hands of David Papot in November, 2024 when he was halted in the seventh round in a shot at the WBO Global, Welterweight Title. Wagner lost his IBF International Belt in that contest after winning it seven months earlier via a 10-round unanimous nod over Geronimo Vazquez.
Wagner captured the vacant IBA Inter-Continental Welterweight Crown in 2022 by stopping Jorge Perez Sanchez in the ninth round. He then added the vacant IBO Americas Welterweight Belt in 2023 via a 10-round unanimous decision against William Andres Herrera. Wagner has lost two of his last three fights but faces a tall order in trying to get his career back on track against Norman.
Prediction…
Norman has a big edge in power and also possesses the better overall boxing skills. Both boxers are trying to rebound from defeats to stay in the spotlight. Wagner didn’t let his hands go against Harlem Eubank in his last outing and he can’t afford to do that against Norman or he’ll find himself on the canvas facing a 10-count. I’m expecting Norman to take this fight and a stoppage is a good possibility too.
Norman Jr. has the edge in power and skills.
Play: Norman Jr. -1800 @ BetOnline.ag
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Brian Norman Jr betting • Josh Wagner betting