Boxing In Mexico: WBC Champ Soto Defeats Munoz In Culiacan

In a much much difficult than expected title defense, WBC lightweight king Humberto Soto kept his belt despite an ambitious showing from challenger Fidel Monterrosa Munoz at Estadio Banorte in Culiacan.

Munoz, who had fought several times as a light welter after turning pro at light middle, used his height and strength advantage to keep Soto from finding his rhythm.

It was one of the worst showings from the champion, who won the lightweight title in March with a strong showing against David Diaz.

Munoz of Colombia had not been expected to give Soto a difficult time but the awkward, lankly slugger rose to the occasion although he was not able to take control of the bout and wrest the WBC belt from the champion.

Soto was awarded a 118-109, 115-112 and 115-112 unanimous decision, improving his professional standing to 53-7-2 (32) while Munoz put on the best showing of his career only to fall to 23-2 (18).

Also on the bill, Jorge Arce, 56-6-1 (42), won a WBO super bantam title eliminator, defeating Lorenzo Parra, 31-3 (18), by split decision after the contest was initially declared a 10 round draw.

Heavy-handed Arce moved forward for most of the bout, forcing Parra to fight in spurts and clinch when the popular Mexican got within range.

Parra’s spoiler tactics seemed to have born fruit by the last two rounds when Arce ran out of gas but the Venezuelan native could not overcome Arce’s early points lead nor produce a KO.

Given the unsatisfactory nature of the result and scoring confusion, this one could go to a rematch.

20 year old welter prospect Omar Chavez, 20-0-1 (17), stayed perfect with a fourth round KO over seasoned vet Rodrigo Juarez, 15-12-1 (11). This pair initially tangled in May with Juarez making a strong showing, losing to Chavez by a narrow split decision.