EDGAR SOSA: ?I'M MENTALLY AND PHYSICALLY PREPARED FOR NIETES?
By Dong Secuya PhilBoxing.com Thu, 22 Sep 2016
GLENDALE, CA ? Former WBC light flyweight champion Edgar Sosa of Mexico said he has high respects for Donnie Nietes but is mentally and physically prepared to face him on the main event of the 'Philippines vs Mexico', the third US offering of ALA Promotions in partnership with ABS-CBN and TFC to be held at the StubHub Center this Saturday (Sunday morning in Manila).
Sosa, who was accompanied by his chief trainer Jorge Barrera and assistant trainers Juan Lugo and Fernando Aguilar Lopez, answered questions from the media during a luncheon press conference at the Barrio Fiesta Restaurant along N Pacific Ave and Arden Ave here Wednesday (early Thursday in Manila).
?I respect Nietes, he's a complete fighter,? Sosa said thru an interpreter. ?He's got speed and power. But I come here to win. I am mentally and physically prepared to face him on Saturday.?
Sosa (52-9-0, 30KOs) who at 37 years old has been fighting professionally for 16 years, will be facing a formidable opponent in Nietes who beat all 15 Mexicans he had faced so far, 6 of them world champions. But Sosa was not awed by Nietes's reputation. ?I have face many world champions too,? Sosa, who successfully defended his light flyweight world title 10 times, said, adding ?I also beat many Filipino fighters.? Indeed Sosa captured his world title by defeating Filipino-American Brian Viloria on April 4, 2007. His list of Filipino victims include Sonny Boy Jaro, Juanito Rubillar, Ryan Bito and Roilo Golez but he lost his world title to another Filipino, Rodel Mayol, in a controversial fashion on Nov. 21, 2009.
Sosa, however would not make any predictions but only said, ?people will see a great fight on Saturday.?
Sosa's chief trainer Jorge Barrera, elder brother of Mexican legend Marco Antonio Barrera, who still showed displeasure of the the result of the first meeting between his boxer Moises Fuentes and Nietes on Mar. 2, 2013 which ended in majority draw, said that Sosa had logged in more than 120 rounds of sparring in preparation for the Nietes fight and promised to finally get a win over Nietes.
Barrera was also happy that the fight will be held in Carson, where, he said ?is like a hometown for us? and he expects a lot of Mexican fans will come to see and support the Mexican fighters.
Nietes, who gave up his WBO junior flyweight belt and fights as a flyweight for the first time, and Sosa, will finally see face to face during Thursday's final press conference to be held at the Carson Community Center on 801 E. Carson St. The official weighin will be on Friday at the Eagle Rock Plaza along Colorado Blvd in Los Angeles to be hosted by Hall of Fame announcer Jimmy Lennon Jr.
Top photo: Former world champion Edgar Sosa of Mexico (R), accompanied by his trainer Jorge Barrera, clinches his fist upon arrival at the Barrio Fiesta Restaurant in Glendale, CA Wednesday.
Sosa (C) and Jorge Barrera (with mic) answer questions from the media.
