Junior middleweight contender Damian Sosa made significant progress in 2022. He hopes that could translate to landing bigger opportunities in 2023.

The once-beaten Sosa is riding a long winning streak and believes he could become a legit contender.

Sosa (22-1, 11 knockouts), who lives and trains in Tijuana, Mexico, last fought on December 4, defeating former fringe contender Juan Ruiz by unanimous decision. The victory over Ruiz marked Sosa’s 11th consecutive win. 

Ruiz was game, dropping Sosa during the opening round. It was a flash knockdown and Sosa was not visibly hurt, but he was the more-effective fighter throughout the bout, outboxing Ruiz to win 98-91 on all three judges’ scorecards.

The 26-year-old was pleased with his performance and believes fighting the likes of Ruiz helps him become a better overall fighter.

“It was a good performance,” Sosa told BoxingScene in a recent interview. “I’m happy with my performance. I had prepared very well. My opponent was very well prepared too. I have to keep learning, when it comes to the psychological side. But I’m happy with the way I fought.”

Sosa fought three times in 2022. In his previous fight on August 26, Ruiz defeated once-beaten Ronald Cruz by unanimous decision. On April 8, Sosa knocked out Jesus Vega Villaman in the third round to win a regional title belt.

The modest opposition Sosa fought this year was beneficial to his career, but it also showed he could adept and box or stand in the pocket to throw and exchange combinations.

“It was a good year for me and my team,” said Sosa. “Thank God we were victorious in all three fights. I consider it a year of learning and preparation. I fought against opponents with good records and good (amounts of) experience, ones who had fought against high-level fighters. So, that makes me stronger, physically and mentally. It was a year of preparation.”

Sosa hopes this year is just as successful, if not more. He is promoted by Toscano Promotions, which promotes cards on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border, whether it is in Tijuana or in Stockton, California. 

There is a strong chance Sosa returns to the ring in March or April. He hopes an impressive performance could lead to fights against top contenders in the division.

“I visualize (2023) as being a very good year. It will be a year of a lot of preparation and where I plan to walk away from each fight with my hand raised. Possibly, I will fight against a top name. That’s what I want and what we’ve been asking for.

“I want to face a top name that will earn us more attention.”

Francisco A. Salazar has written for BoxingScene since September 2012 and has covered boxing in Southern California and abroad since 2000. Francisco also covers boxing for the Ventura County (California) Star newspaper. He can be reached by email at santio89@yahoo.com or on Twitter at FSalazarBoxing