On Friday, June 24, at the 18,000-seat Beijing Capital Gym in Beijing, China, one of boxing’s most exciting fighters, Javier “El Abejon” Fortuna (29-0-1, 21 KOs) will make the second defense of his WBA Super Featherweight title against hard-punching WBA #8 contender Jason Sosa (18-1-4, 14 KOs). The potential war between the two sluggers will be also be seen by an audience of nearly 100 million Chinese via cctv5 channel live broadcast.
Fortuna vs. Sosa was officially announced at a press conference in Beijing today as the first in an ongoing series of four high-profile events per year that will be put on by the co-promotional partnership of Mr. Min Du Modoson and Mr. Liu Gang of Max Power Promotions “MPP” and Sampson Lewkowicz of Sampson Boxing.
26-year-old Fortuna, of La Romana, Dominican Republic, has been a standout in boxing since his days as a decorated amateur who participated in the inaugural Pan American Junior Championships in 2003. Considered one of the most exciting fighters in the sport, Fortuna won his current title with a unanimous decision over Bryan Vasquez in May 2015. He defended it successfully in September of last year with a TKO 10 over Carlos Ivan Velasquez. Fortuna previously won the Interim WBA Featherweight Championship by beating formerly undefeated Patrick Hyland in December 2012. The powerful southpaw is also known for scoring highlight reel knockouts over formidable opponents including Yuandale Evans (TKO 1) and Miguel Zamudio (KO 1). Fortuna is promoted by Sampson Boxing.
28-year-old Sosa, of Camden, New Jersey, is of proud Puerto Rican descent. He earned his title shot and caught the eyes of the boxing world in December of last year by fighting to a surprise draw with one of the sport’s top fighters, two-time world champion Nicholas “Axe Man” Walters of Jamaica. The fight was televised on HBO Boxing After Dark. A powerful puncher, Sosa was riding a 13-fight knockout streak before facing Walters. Sosa is also known for his aggressive style and iron chin. He has been called the best fighter to come out of Camden since former world champion Dwight “Camden Buzzsaw” Muhammad Qawi. Sosa is promoted by Peltz Boxing.
Javier Fortuna
I feel great. I am honored to be fighting in China.
He’s 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 have been waiting for this opportunity. I am looking forward to this fight for my team and my country.
I’ve fought punchers before and I box them until their power starts to dissipate and then I rumble with them.
I appreciate all the love I get from the fans, worldwide. That’s why I train hard: to gain fans and to make myself the best fighter I can be.
Jason Sosa
It’s a great opportunity. This is what every fighter dreams of: to fight for a world title.
It depends on what kind of fight Fortuna wants. I’ll be in there fighting smart and just see what kind of fight he wants to bring. We can go to war, or we can box. It’s up to him.
He’s a little aggressive. A little wild. Just another guy.
I’m not really doing anything different training for him. Everything I’m doing is working, so I don’t fix anything that’s not broken.
I’m excited and nervous to fight in China. It’s my first time out of the country for me. I can’t wait to go there and I know it’ll be a beautiful experience.