Philadelphia, PA—Hard-hitting junior lightweight contender Jason Sosa, of Camden, NJ, has signed a new promotional agreement, this one with Peltz Boxing and Top Rank, Inc., as he prepares for his Oct. 2 fight with Jorge Pazos, of Guamuchil, Mexico, on Friday evening, Oct. 2, at the 2300 Arena in South Philadelphia.
The 27-year-old Sosa also has moved into the No. 10 slot among 130-pounders, according to the International Boxing Federation (IBF).
“This is a big day for me,” said Sosa, who has knocked out his last 12 opponents. “This motivates me to do bigger and better things in my career as a professional boxer. I am more than happy and blessed to have signed a new agreement with Peltz Boxing and Top Rank. With that being said, I am very excited knowing I am ranked No. 10 in the world.
A pro since 2009, Sosa is 17-1-3, 13 K0s, including the big one in his last fight, a first-round blowout of former world-title challenger Jerry Belmontes, of Corpus Christi, TX, on Aug. 15 in Bayamon, Puerto Rico.
“I first did business with Bob Arum (Top Rank CEO) in 1974 when Bennie Briscoe fought Rodrigo Valdes in Monte Carlo,” said J Russell Peltz, president of Peltz Boxing, “and we always have worked well together. Top Rank is still at the top of their game, and no one promotes Puerto Rican fighters better than they do. I’ve been working with Carl Moretti (Top Rank VP) on this deal for months.”
Top Rank has promoted Sosa’s last three fights—the K0s over Belmontes, Herbert Quartey, of Ghana, on April 25 in Guaynabo, PR, and over Santiago Bustos, of Spain, on June 13 in Madison Square Garden.
“With another year of development and continued exposure on our platforms, Jason and his explosive punching power will rise to the top of the already talent-rich junior lightweight and lightweight divisions,” said Moretti. “Signing him with our good friend Russell Peltz, who still today is one of the smartest boxing minds in the business, was a no-brainer. Welcome aboard, Jason; we look forward to promoting your career in the years to come.”
Sosa turned pro in 2009 after only three amateur fights—he lost two of them—and he has developed into a world-class fighter since teaming up with manager/trainer Raul “Chino” Rivas in 2012.
The Oct. 2 card, the first official one joining Top Rank with Peltz, is billed as the Puerto Rican Boxing Classic and the seven-bout program figures to attract a sold-out crowd.
From bantamweight Sixto Escobar, who became the first Puerto Rican world champion in 1935, to current title-holder Danny Garcia, of Philadelphia, Puerto Ricans have had a long and storied history in boxing.
Among area fighters looking to display their talents on the Oct. 2 card are local Puerto Rican fighters from Philadelphia and New Jersey. Many of them bring a loyal following to their fights.
In addition, invitations to attend and sign autographs will be sent to outstanding Puerto Rican fighters up and down the East Coast.
The first fight is 7 p.m.
