On Friday, June 24, at the Capital Gym in Beijing, China, WBA World super featherweight champion Javier “El Abejon” Fortuna (29-0-1, 21 KOs) the southpaw from Braintree, Massachusetts, by way of La Romana, Dominican Republic, defends his title against #8 ranked Jason Sosa (18-1-4, 14 KOs), from Camden, New Jersey.
Fortuna turned pro in 2009 and established his bona fides from the start. He won the WBA World interim featherweight title in 2012 with a unanimous decision victory over 27-0 Patrick Hyland at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
In May 2015, “El Abejon” won the vacant WBA World super featherweight title with a win over 34-1 Bryan Vasquez in Brooklyn. Four months later in the first defense of his crown, Fortuna TKO’d 19-1 Carlos Ivan Velasquez in the 10th round of a scheduled 12.
Sosa turned pro in 2009 with a TKO victory over Jonathan Ocassio at the Blue Horizon in Philadelphia. He has four draws, including a majority draw in his last fight against undefeated Nicholas Walters, but has not lost a fight since 2010. A hard-hitting warrior who loves to go toe-to-toe, the fight against Fortuna will be his first fight in Beijing and his first shot at a world title.
“This means everything,” said Sosa. “It’s a once in a lifetime shot. This is what every fighter dreams of, to fight for a world title. I’m expecting a tough fight from Fortuna, so I got to go there mentally prepared for everything. There’s a Plan A. There’s a Plan B. There’s a Plan C, a D, and an E. It depends on what kind of fight Fortuna wants to bring. I’m taking this trip all the way to China to capture the WBA title. I can’t wait to go there and I know it’ll be a beautiful experience.”
Sosa is a terrific battler who always comes to fight, as Fortuna is well aware.
“I have been waiting for this opportunity,” said Fortuna. “He is a strong fighter and he is always thinking in there. Nevertheless, I feel that I’m more talented and have more ability. I also have the stronger punching power.
“I’ve fought punchers before,” he added, “and I box them until their power starts to dissipate and then I rumble with them.”
This article was penned by the author who is not related to the WBA and the statements, expressions or opinions referenced herein are that of the author alone and not the WBA.
