Saturday night at Salle des Étoiles in Monte Carlo, Monaco, Jason Sosa (20-1-4, 15 KOs), from Camden, New Jersey, successfully defended his WBA World super featherweight title by scoring a unanimous decision over former BBBofC British super featherweight champion Stephen Smith (24-3, 14 KOs), from Liverpool, Merseyside, United Kingdom, after 12 rounds of action.

The final scores were 117-110 (Nelson Vazquez), 116-112 (Stanley Christodoulou ), and 116-11 (Jean Robert Laine).

Fighting out of the red corner in black, blue and red trunks, Sosa won the WBA title by stopping Javier Fortuna in June with a dramatic come-from-behind victory in Beijing.

Saturday’s win was his first defense of the crown.

Smith, fighting out of the blue corner in multicolored trunks, was getting his second shot at a world title, having lost to IBF champion Jose Pedraza in April.

Sosa came out cruising for bruising at the opening bell and landed several hard shots. In round two he dropped Smith to the canvas and drew first blood in the third from a cut outside the challenger’s right eye.

The war commenced in the fourth round as Smith upped the ante as the fighters went at it tooth and nail. Sosa was landing the heavier shots for the most part, but Smith returned fire and gave as good as he got.

By the time the championship rounds rolled around, Smith was slowing down and eating punches at a championship rate. He rebounded in the final round but it was too little too late.

After the fight Smith said, “I’m not going to stand here and give any more excuses. A bad start cost me. I tried my best getting into the fight, but I think I lost it early. I was forcing things and that’s not me. I believe I’ve got a lot left and I’ve got to regroup.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=naB7PGOsC-Q

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.