Featherweight up-and-comer Omar Trinidad. Photo by Lina Baker / 360 Promotions
Rising featherweight Omar Trinidad will take the next step in his career against Hector Sosa on Saturday.
Trinidad feels ready to face the durable Argentine fighter in front of his fans at the Commerce Casino, Commerce, Los Angeles.
“I know he’s a seasoned fighter, I know he’s tough,” Trinidad (16-0-1, 13 knockouts) told The Ring. “I know he’s coming ready for a 12-round fight, I know he’s got a couple of 12-rounders and 10-rounders under his belt. I know he has a few wins in a row and comes with confidence. I know it will be a great night for the fans. I worked hard in the gym to stop him in his tracks to give him either a short night or a long night.”
The 28-year-old power puncher, who spent two months as usual under the watchful eye of Jesus “Don Chuy” Lopez Sr. prepared, acknowledges the potential danger Sosa poses, but ultimately feels it is his undoing.
“He’s a pressure fighter, he comes wild and likes to sit on his punches, so I’m pretty sure the most dangerous thing is his conditioning, stamina and pressure,” he said. “How I’m going to get him out of their is, I’m going to frustrate him, he’s going to commit and I’m going to catch him with a shot.”
Last time out, Trinidad impressively stopped Viktor Slavinskyi (TKO 10) in what was an important learning curve fight.
“It was another tough fight, I knew once I got that WBC (Continental Americas) belt it was going to be a big target on my back and I knew there were going to be a lot of tight fights and I knew what I signed up for and I took on the challenge,” he said. “I know every fight after I take care of business on the 26th is going to be another tough fight.
“Going back to the Slavinsky fight, it was a pretty tough fight. I think it was the second or third southpaw I’ve fought in my career and I feel like I exposed him and took advantage, but he made me work for the W, that’s for sure, but I’m glad I got 10- got laps in the bank and got the knockout.”
That experience stood him in good stead and put him within striking distance of a world title opportunity.
“My promoter has a plan to fight me four or five times next year, I know they have a lot of events,” he said. “I feel like I’m maybe two fights away from a world title and honestly if it’s the next one it’s up to my team if they want to take the fight, I’ll take any fight, if it’s a world title I will gladly take it. That’s why I have a team, I have a manager so he can guide me.”
He feels his recent development has helped take him to a new level and expects victory to come either way.
“From last year to this year I feel like I went from prospect to contender for sure and the rankings speak for themselves,” he said. “I know it’s going to be a tough fight – my first 12-rounder. I’m not shy about going far. I ran and trained to give a big fight for the fans.
“I know it’s going to be a tough one, but I’ll make sure I come out victorious. If I knock him out, he’s never been knocked out, and I’ve done something that his previous opponents have not been able to do. Another would be if I take him 12 rounds and dominate him. It will confirm to me that I am ready for the elite.”
Tom Loeffler, the president of 360 Promotions, is looking forward to seeing his fighter back in action as he looks to take another step towards his goal of fighting for a world title.
“Omar Trinidad has proven that he is not only a tremendous talent, but he certainly lives up to the nickname ‘King of LA’ with all the fans that show up for his fights,” said the promoter. “Omar, born and raised in Boyle Heights, is the definition of a local kid made good, now ranked as (WBC) no. 10 in the world.
“Sosa will be his toughest challenge yet and we expect plenty of fireworks in this world-class match. Omar is never in a boring fight and this fight should be no different with Sosa already proving his world class power. The winner of this fight will definitely take a big step towards a world title.
Sosa turned professional in 2017. He won his first 13 in his native Argentina and won the South American junior featherweight title. He lost his undefeated record when he faced Panama and dropped a decision to Rafael Pedroza (UD 10). After returning to the win column, he was beaten by Christian Carto (UD 8).
That prompted the 29-year-old to move up to featherweight where he won three fights, including a come-from-behind over former world title challenger Jazza Dickens (TKO 10) and, most recently, dropped Keenan Carbajal early to to win a lopsided 12 -round unanimous decision.
Trinidad-Sosa, plus undercard bouts, will air on UFC Fight Pass at 6pm ET/3pm PT.
Questions and/or comments can be sent to Anson at (email protected).
