Humberto Armando Soto: One Tough Alternative

This Saturday, HBO televises live from the All States Arena in Rosemont, Illinois, the main event featuring “El Feroz” Ferocious Fernando Vargas locking horns with the Spaniard, Javier “El Lince de Parla” Castillejo. Although it is always a pleasure to watch Vargas fight, and Castillejo is no slouch, a lot more is at stake in the televised under card bout. Houstonian and 2000 Olympic silver medallist Ricardo “Rocky” Juarez is vying for the interim WBC featherweight title and will be taking on Humberto Armando “La Zorrita” Soto. Juarez, originally slated to face Injin Chi, now has a whole new set of problems in the form of Soto. “Rocky” was preparing for an all out, stand in front of you and exchange leather type of fighter in Injin Chi, but will now have a much more mobile and creative boxer to deal with in Humberto. I’m not saying that “La Zorrita” is Mohammed Ali, but he is definitely not Chi.

Born, raised, and currently boxing out of Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico, “La Zorrita” comes from a place where fighting is a tradition. Los Mochis is home to the fighting Montiel family, boxing twin brothers Humberto and Edel Ruiz, and countless other professional prize fighters that have left their mark on the boxing world. On Saturday, Soto will get the opportunity to leave his mark on behalf of the Los Mochis boxing brethren when he takes on Juarez for the interim title. “La Zorrita” is a scrappy veteran fighter who does possess solid boxing skills, is capable of working angles, has decent hand speed and has a sturdy chin as he has only been stopped once in a forty-four fight career. Of course, in the deep tradition of the “Mexican Warrior”, Humberto will stand his ground and exchange with Juarez, but will probably be selective in doing so.

“La Zorrita” is undefeated in his last fourteen bouts, posting a record 13-0-0 with 9 KOs and one no contest during that streak. Soto’s last loss was on July 13, 2002, when he dropped a twelve round majority decision to the “Flushing Flash” Kevin Kelly in a fight in which many were not convinced that Kelly deserved the decision. Soto is not as easy a mark as most people think he is and “Rocky” better not look past him, or have a let down, because it will cost him.

So fight fans tune in this Saturday on HBO and see one of Los Mochis fighting brethren take center stage and continue a long a glorious fighting tradition. Hey, it may not be Juarez vs. Chi, but Soto vs. Juarez is not a bad “Plan B”.

Contact Sergio Martinez at srg_mrtnz@yahoo.com