On a Night When Other Events Stole the Spotlight, Miguel Berchelt was in Top Form

Miguel Berchelt was in the unenviable position of defending his WBC junior lightweight title against Jason Sosa on the same night that two other massive events in the world of combat sports took place.

But Berchelt didn’t seem to care that most people around the world were either focused on Canelo Alvarez daring to be great against Sergey Kovalev or the UFC’s so-called “BMF” title match between Jorge Masvidal and Nate Diaz. That’s because Berchelt appeared in top form on Saturday night in stopping former titleholder Sosa in the fourth round of a Top Rank on ESPN card at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California.

The 27-year-old from Mexico did what he does best right from the opening bell. Berchelt is a heavy combination puncher who changes levels with ease. It’s a strategy that allows the fighter to fluidly mix hard blows to his opponent’s head and body. His work rate is exquisite, and his power is usually too much for opponents to handle.

Sosa, 31, was game but just couldn’t keep up with the champion, especially when he tried to match Berchelt at his own game.

Berchelt dropped Sosa in the second round with a barrage of punches that sent the American tumbling to the canvas. Sosa managed to beat the count, but Berchelt just kept coming.

After bravely trying to slug with Berchelt, Sosa found himself on the canvas again with less than a minute left in the fourth round. Berchelt’s combinations were flying at Sosa from all angles now, and a brutal left hook to the body dipped Sosa down to one knee.

Sosa made his way to his feet and tried to continue, but it was apparent he was not going to be able to seriously compete in the fight. That’s when Sosa’s corner threw in the towel, and referee Jack Reiss halted the contest at 2:56 of the fourth round.

“It was a great performance. I want to congratulate Jason. He came to put on a great fight, and I have a lot of love for him,” said Berchelt.

With the win, Berchelt improved to 37-1 with 33 knockouts. It was the sixth defense of his WBC title and the victory potentially sets him up for a huge showdown with fellow Mexican star Oscar Valdez.

Valdez is undefeated and a former WBO featherweight titleholder who is also promoted by Top Rank. The 28-year-old  is currently slated to face Andres Gutierrez at the Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas on Nov. 30, so it seems like a good bet that Berchelt vs. Valdez is part of Top Rank’s plans for the fighters assuming Valdez beats Gutierrez as expected in what will be his junior lightweight debut.

Other Televised Bouts

The other televised fights were over even faster than the main event.

Junior welterweight Javier Molina was supposed to be in a tough fight against Hiroki Okada in the co-main event. Instead, Molina dropped Okada to the canvas twice in the opening round, and referee Raul Caiz officially waved it off at 1:05 of the first round.

Former junior welterweight title challenger Alex Saucedo also took care of his opponent in the first round. Saucedo dropped Rod Salka with a devastating left hook to the body, and referee Edward Collantes waved the contest off at 2:17.

Photo credit: Mikey Williams for Top Rank

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