By Jake Donovan
The working theory heading into his HBO-televised showdown with Jason Sosa was that Nicholas Walters merely needed to win in order to proceed with the next order of business. The unbeaten former featherweight titlist was being groomed for a showdown with long-reigning super featherweight titlist Takashi Uchiyama, providing both emerged victorious in their next bouts.
Most viewers believed Walters to have won the 10-round clash with Sosa, which aired live on HBO earlier this month from Turning Stone Resort & Casino in Verona, New York. The three judges decided otherwise, one official ruling in favor of Sosa while the other two had the bout even in declaring the fight a majority decision draw.
Walters and Top Rank - his stateside promoter - are treating the night as if he emerged victorious, thus moving forward with its tentatively scheduled plans.
“Nicholas Walters won that fight, I don’t have a question in my mind about it,” Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum told BoxingScene.com in discussing the past and the future for the unbeaten boxer from Jamaica. “Jason Sosa is a wonderful kid and a very good fighter. He gave a gutsy performance but (Walters) won and we are proceeding with that in mind.”
Uchiyama still has to get through a New Year’s Eve showdown with Oliver Flores at home in Tokyo, Japan. A win would mark the 11th defense of the title he won in Jan. ’10; it could also set up a head-on collision with Walters at some point in the new year.
“Our plans are to have Walters face Takashi Uchiyama,” Arum confirmed. “We made arrangements for the fight take place at some point during the first four months of 2016.”
Such a fight will mark Walters’ first crack at a super featherweight title. The rangy boxer-puncher – who turns 30 in January – saw an 18-month featherweight title reign end at the scales when failing to make weight for an eventual 10-round win over Miguel Marriaga this past June in New York City.
In showing up at 127-pounds, Walters (26-0-1, 21KOs) left behind a title run that included knockout wins over Vic Darchinyan and Nonito Donaire. While he embraces the thought of a clash with Uchiyama, another run at featherweight has not yet been ruled out.
“That was just one time,” Walters told BoxingScene.com in dismissing claims he’s outgrown featherweight. “We have the right training camp, eat right, do everything right and I can make 126 lb. weight or we can stay at this weight. I’m fine with either (weight), I just want to fight the best.”
Chances are he will get his wish beginning with his first fight in 2016.
“Those judges can say whatever they want, it’s not going to affect the big plans we have for Nicholas Walters,” Arum insists.
Jake Donovan is the managing editor of BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox
