Jason Sosa Relfects on Memorable 2016 Run, Maps Out Future

By Jake Donovan

It was hardly a year to remember for the sport of boxing, but that doesn't mean 2016 still didn't carry its share of memorable moments.

Among the year's best feel good stories was the arrival of Jason 'Canito' Sosa on the title stage. The previously hard-luck lightly regarded prospect from Camden, New Jersey had a major breakout year with big wins over Javier Fortuna and Stephen Smith.

Both came on the heels of his controversial 10-round draw with Nicholas Walters, which aired live on HBO last December. Most observers had Walters winning the contest, but Sosa - to his credit - made the most of the moment, first rallying to knock out the previously unbeaten Fortuna to win a super featherweight title in China, then once again traveling overseas as he outpointed Smith in Monte Carlo in his most recent outing this past October.

"It's been a dream come true," Sosa (20-1-4, 15KOs) told BoxingScene.com while on hand to watch training stablemate Tevin Farmer in action Friday night at 2300 Arena in Philadelphia. "It's what we worked for, what we envisioned for such a long time, but to actually experience the dream is...you picture it, but when it happens, it's even bigger than you imagined."

The streaking super featherweight - who turns 29 in March - is currently riding a 20-fight unbeaten run heading into 2017. His competition has significantly upgraded in the past year or so, a level on which he plans to remain for 2017 and beyond.

"We got (WBA "Super" 130 lb. titlist) Jezreel Corrales in our sights and of course other big plans. Tevin (who beat Dardan Zenunaj in Friday's main event) plans on making a run at a title, so we have to leave room for him as well. Me and Tevin - I truly believe we're the two best 130-pounders in the world right now."

Should the day come where they clean out the division, the future is already mapped out as to Sosa's next step.

"I'm the big brother in this relationship, so once we got all them belts, Tevin can stay here and I'll move up to 135," Sosa notes, emphasizing that he would never fight his stablemate, nor would Trainer of the Year candidate Raul 'Chino' Rivas. "I have a lot of business to take care of in 2017 but who knows - one day you see me winning titles at lightweight, 140 lbs... maybe even welterweight when it's all done."

As for the immediate future, an ideal scenario would be to bring a road warrior a long overdue hometown showcase.

"Jason is tied in with Philly boxing, having fought here so often," Rivas notes. "But we'd love to do a title fight in Camden, since it's never been done before." 

Twitter: @JakeNDaBox