Jason Sosa Ready for War
On Saturday November 2, Jason “El Canito” Sosa (23-3-4, 16 KO’s) is aiming to become a two-time world champion. He will do so by attempting to strong-arm Miguel “El Alacran” Berchelt (36-1, 32 KO’s) for his WBC super featherweight title. The two talented boxers will go to war at Dignity Health Sports Park located in Carson, California in a bout that will air live on ESPN.
LONG ROAD BACK TO A TITLE SHOT
Back on June 24, 2016, Sosa was on top of the world. He had recently stopped WBA super featherweight champion Javier Fortuna, usurping his belt. Five months later, El Canito successfully defended his newly acquired belt against Stephen Smith. The good times would not last very long after the Smith bout.
The first major bump in the road came in the form of Vasyl “Hi-Tech” Lomachenko (14-1, 10 KO’S). Not only would the skillful Ukrainian win, and thereby commandeer his WBA strap, Hi-Tech fairly easily outclassed and stopped Sosa in the ninth round. Later that same year, EL Canito fought and dropped a close majority decision loss to Yuriorkis “El Ciclon de Guantanamo” Gamboa (30-2, 18 KO’S).
Since that time, Sosa went on a three-fight win streak to rebuild his confidence and standings in the rankings. During this nearly two year get-back process, Sosa has fought less than stellar competition. Nevertheless, having taken the time to get himself back to the championship level, the New Jersey born boxer is ready to step up for another title shot.
Although, Sosa will be in tough against the hard-hitting Miguel Berchelt. Berchelt is himself on a 15-fight win streak since suffering his lone loss on March 15, 2014 to Luis Edwardo Florez. Also, the bout against Sosa will stand as his seventh title defense since being recognized as the full champion. Eight, if you count his about against Suriya Tatakhun when he was still the interim WBC super featherweight champion.
READY TO BE A CHAMPION, AGAIN
As might be expected, Jason Sosa is not worrying himself with the many accolades of Berchelt. Neither is he sitting around fretting over his notable punching power. Berchelt has won 32 of his 36 victories by stoppage. Instead, Sosa is solely focusing on adhering to the battle plan that he and his team have devised.
“I got to stay focused, composed and very smart in that ring with a champion like Berchelt. You know, November 2, I think, you know, the best of me is going to come out. The best of me needs to come out and I’m very excited for November 2.” ~Jason Sosa
Aside from the thrill of winning another world title, Sosa is also very motivated by the Puerto Rico versus Mexican rivalry that is present in this match-up. Sosa is Puerto Rican, whereas Berchelt is Mexican and still resides in Mexico. Apparently, fighting for national pride has been a tremendous motivating factor for Sosa.
“I have to fight, November 2 I have to be the Jason Sosa that’s been in training camp, he needs to come out. I believe in my heart that he will come out on November 2. What forced that a little bit is that I’m Boricua, I’m from Puerto Rico. So, at the end of the day, I got to fight for my country and that’s what I am going to do November 2 […] A classic fight! It’s always a classic fight when it’s Mexico versus Puerto Rico. It forced a Mexican fighter and a Puerto Rican fighter to fight the best fights because we know that we fight for our country.” ~Jason Sosa
A win over the formidable Miguel Berchelt would definitely warrant listing Sosa among the top tier fighters in the division. Winning the WBA super featherweight strap would simply serve as extra gravy on an already beneficial situation.
Yet, it would be unwise to count chickens before they are hatched. First, Sosa must defeat Berchelt, which will be no easy task. Luckily for the fans, the wait is almost over because Saturday November 2 is right around the corner.
By: Bakari Simpson
