Undefeated former world featherweight champion Nicholas “Axe Man” Walters and once-defeated Jason “El Canito” Sosa will face off against each other in a 10-round junior lightweight rumble tomorrow, opening the HBO Boxing After Dark telecast from Turning Stone Casino Resort. The telecast will also feature Bryant “By-By” Jennings vs. Luis “The Real King Kong” Ortiz in a 12-round heavyweight battle. Take a look at some fight week quotes from Walters vs. Sosa.
NICHOLAS WALTERS
“I’m a descendant of the gladiators. I come to fight.
“I’m not sure if the fight is going to go past four rounds. It depends if Sosa comes to fight. I’m sorry, but Sosa is not going do to me what I did to Nonito Donaire or Vic Darchinyan.
“I’m a lion! I don’t know if Sosa is a lion. People are expecting a big fight, and I’m going give them a big fight. The Axe Man is very dangerous. He’s always prepared for a war.
“When you don’t know much about a fighter, that’s dangerous. Sosa will find out. Nonito didn’t know much about me until I knocked him out.
“Next year, anything is possible. I’m looking to fight the big names fighters. Gamboa? Anything is possible. Vasyl Lomachenko is not looking in my direction. But I’m here. I’m ready to fight. I’m not hiding from nobody. I’m a true fighter. I believe if I’m going to be the best, I have to fight the best. I’m not even concerned about fighting at heavier weights. I’ve been sparring guys at 140 and 145 pounds.”
JASON SOSA
“I played basically every sport, from football to soccer, and used to work a day job in park services until two years ago.
“I first learned how to street fight growing up in the notoriously tough Camden, NJ. That was a plus.
“I’m very intelligent in the ring. I’ve got to give it to my guy — my father figure — Raul Rivas. He changed my whole boxing style. I believe after this fight, people will recognize Raul “Chino” Rivas as one of the top trainers.
“I’m the bigger, the stronger and the smarter guy. I’ve sparred taller, longer, heavier guys in training camp. We know what we’re expecting from Walters, and we’re ready for it.
“My prediction is: I’m going to go out there and focus. I feel that we are going to come out victorious.
“I’m an aggressive fighter, a smart fighter, a powerful fighter.”
“I have some advice for all the fight fans who don’t know me who will be tuning into HBO on Saturday night. Don’t blink!”
