By Jake Donovan

The last time Nicholas Walters was due to appear in the ring and on HBO was met with the letdown of having to concede his title at the scales. The unbeaten featherweight from Jamaica – who trains out of Panama – was a full pound over the division limit for his eventual 12-round non-title win over Miguel Marriaga this past June at Madison Square Garden Theatre in New York City.

Walters managed to preserve his perfect record as well as avenge a pair of amateur losses to Marriaga, but it was still a regrettable way to see his 18-month title reign. The learning lesson from the fight was that he belongs in the super featherweight division, where he will face Jason Sosa this weekend. Their bout airs live on HBO from Turning Stone Resort & Casino in Verona, New York.

“It was definitely disappointing,” Walters told krikya360.com prior to Thursday’s final pre-fight press conference. “It was tough luck on my part. Even though it was several months ago, we have to get over that and start looking at the future.

“We moved on and started thinking about this fight and Jason Sosa.”

Placing full focus on his opponent is certainly in Walters’ best interest. In Sosa (18-1-3, 14KOs) he has a dangerous puncher who has scored 13 straight knockouts (and 14 consecutive wins) heading into Saturday evening.  Furthermore, the 27-year old from Camden, New Jersey has spent his entire career fighting in the 130 lb. division, whereas Walters has just arrived and not entirely by choice.

Still, he comes in with championship pedigree. Despite his reign ending at the scales, it kicked off with a bang and remained at that level in each of his two successful defenses. A one-sided 7th round stoppage of Draulis Prescott served as his arrival in the featherweight mix, while his brutal knockouts of Vic Darchinyan and Nonito Donaire emphatically expanded his brand on a global level.

The win over Donaire caught the eye of many in the industry, especially the staff at HBO which - including this weekend’s Boxing After Dark co-feature – has now been involved in his past four fights. Walters made his debut as a HBO headliner in June, while Saturday’s bout with Sosa leads a telecast topped by a heavyweight clash between unbeaten Luis Ortiz and top contender Bryant Jennings.

In order to return to HBO for his final fight of 2015, the hard choice was made to officially compete in the super featherweight division. The extra four pounds has him more energetic than in past featherweight bouts, but still with little margin for error given his chiseled 5’7” frame.

“It’s still work,” Walters said of making this weight, which he officially still has to do on Friday. “It’s hard work, but we will be OK this time. I'm in great condition and good shape.

“We came over here to give the people a great fight and that's what we are going to do on Saturday.”

Jake Donovan is the managing editor of krikya360.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox