Nicholas Walters 'prepared for war' with Jason Sosa in debut at 130 pounds
VERONA, N.Y. - Nicholas Walters was a force at 126 pounds, but can he replicate his success one weight class higher?
The Axeman is making the move to 130 pounds, beginning with a fight against fellow puncher Jason Sosa on Saturday at Turning Stone Resort & Casino on HBO (10:15 p.m. ET). Walters buzzed through the featherweight division, with knockout victories over Vic Darchinyan and Nonito Donaire.
The Jamaican and Vasyl Lomachenko were on a title unification collision course, but Walters missed weight for his victory over Miguel Marriaga in June and was stripped of the belt. Now, Walters will look to make his mark at junior lightweight and believes his big punch will follow him.
"The Axeman is very dangerous, he's always prepared for a war," Walters (26-0, 21 KOs) said. "When you don't know much about a fighter, that's a dangerous fighter. We are not taking no opponent lightly, we work hard. He's coming off 13 straight knockouts. But he's in the ring with The Axeman."
Sosa (18-1-3, 14 KOs) turned pro after an abbreviated amateur career where he compiled a record of 1-2. He grew up in Camden, N.J., a city that once had the highest murder per capita in the U.S. Sosa says he learned how to street fight, and had friends that went to jail, others that were killed, but that his mother raised him well and kept him focused on boxing.
He's yet to face anyone like Walters and is an underdog for a reason. If Sosa comes to fight, Walters believe he can stop him in four rounds. But Sosa's great power gives him a chance in any fight. The 27-year-od is giving up advantages in height and reach, but feels he's the bigger, stronger man.
"He will definitely find out that the 130-pound division is serious and a whole different ballgame," said Sosa, who quit his maintenance job with Camden County Parks two years to concentrate on boxing full time. "Nothing is given in boxing, you have to go and get it."
It could be an explosive matchup, and Bob Arum told Paste BN Sports on Thursday that a deal is done for the winner to face WBC champion Takashi Uchiyama in the spring.
"Nobody should put their votes in for fight of the year until they see this fight," Arum told Paste BN Sports. "These two guys are just unbelievable punchers. I look for a really old fashion, knock-down, drag-out clash. I'm really very high on this fight. i think it will be hugely entertaining."
(Photo Credit : Chris Farina - Top Rank )