Jason Sosa Retains His WBA Super Featherweight Title Against Steven Smith

By Jeffrey “Italian Medallion” Cellini

At the Salle des Etoiles in Monte Carlo, Monaco on Saturday night, WBA Super Featherweight champion Jason “El Canito” Sosa, 20-1-4, 15 KO’s successfully defended his title by defeating Steven “Swifty” Smith, 24-3, 14 KO’s by unanimous decision. The official scores were 117-110, 116-111 and 116-112.

The 25-year old Sosa, from Camden, N.J, attacked from the opening bell, disregarding Smith’s punching power. “El Canito” used great footwork and and an aggressive attack to build an early lead on the judge’s scorecards. The 31-year old Smith, from Liverpool, England, who suffered a bad near his right eye in the third round, absorbed a lot of punishment in the center of the ring and on the ropes.

Momentum started to change in the fourth round when the Englishman abandoned his plan to outbox the champion, and tried to slug it out with his foe. Despite some success, Sosa continued to walk through the challenger’s punches.

Smith, the former British and Commonwealth champion, started rallying in the later rounds as Sosa’s aggression began to slow down. The champion’s early lead was enough, despite the challenger’s late surge.

“I paid the price for a bad start,” said Smith when interviewed by Sky Sports in the U.K. “I’ve got no excuses and the better man won. I still feel that I have a lot left to give and I think you’ve still to see the best of me.”

Jason Sosa won the WBA World Super Featherweight title when he defeated Javier Fortuna by 11th round technical knockout back on June 24th of this year. Trailing on all three judge’s scorecards, Sosa was able to land two big left hooks which sent Fortuna down to the canvas on all fours in a corner for a count of eight. Fortuna arose on unsteady legs, causing referee to halt the fight.

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