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World Boxing Federation World
Welterweight Champion Humberto
“La Zorrita” Soto is ready for
his first title-defense this
Saturday (February 9), when he
takes on fellow countryman
Silverio Ortiz at the Arena
Itson in Ciudad Obregon, Sonora,
Mexico.
Soto, 59-8-2 (34), captured the
WBF World title in his last bout
when he won a unanimous decision
over then reigning champion Jose
Lopez this past November. And
the former Featherweight, Super
Featherweight and Lightweight
world champion will not be
resting on his laurels, taking
on a tough challenger in Ortiz.
Silverio “Chamaco” Ortiz may
have a spotted record (26-13, 12
KOs), but most of his losses
came against a virtual who’s-who
of former and future world
champions and top contenders,
and he is undefeated in his last
six bouts. In May 2010 he won
the IBA World Light Welterweight
title, and has since
successfully defended that belt
twice.
In March 2012 Ortiz underlined
his world class when he
thoroughly dominated the
undefeated Mahonri Montes
(25-0-1), winning clearly on all
cards. He stayed busy with a
stoppage of journeyman Oscar
Tinajero two months later, and
has since been waiting for a big
opportunity such as the
Soto-encounter:
“I’m excited to fight Soto, who
is one of my idols”, said Ortiz
during the build-up to the
fight. “I am going to be at my
best, and it will be a great
fight. Fights between Mexicans
are always special, and we go
all-out to the end.”
With seventy professional bouts
under his belt, despite being
only 32 years old, there has
been speculations that perhaps
Soto is near the end of a
magnificent career, but he
showed in his WBF title-winning
effort against Jose Lopez that
he has plenty of mileage left:
“I am not done yet, and I have
proved it many times. I fight
with intelligence, and I focus
only on my next bout. Right now
I am completely focused on
defeating Silverio Ortiz.”
Televised Live in Mexico by
Televisa, the Humberto Soto vs.
Silverio Ortiz WBF World
Welterweight title fight will be
promoted by Promociones del
Pueblo, HG Boxing and Baja
Boxing. |
