Ex-WBC Champion Soto Decisions Ortiz In Mexican Barnburner

Humberto “La Zorrita” Soto successfully defended his World Boxing Federation Light Welterweight title on Saturday night, February 9, scoring a hard-fought, but clear, unanimous decision over fellow Mexican Silverio Ortiz at the Arena Itson in Ciudad Obregon, Sonora, Mexico.

After almost coming to blows at the pre-fight weigh-in both boxers had promised to thoroughly defeat the other man, but, while Ortiz gave the world champion a very good fight, in the end the judges had Soto winning comprehensively with scores of 117-110, 117-110 and 118-108.

Soto looked every bit the intelligent and experienced operator that he is, but the fighting spirit and hunger of Ortiz made it a very entertaining bout where both men tried to score a knockout in every round and at times had the more than 6000 fans in attendance standing up in excitement.

With the victory, his thirteenth in world championship fights, Soto improved his professional record to 60-8-2 (34), while Ortiz, a former IBA title-holder at Light Welterweight, lost for the first time in three years and dropped to 26-14 (12).

Promoted by Promociones del Pueblo in cooperation with HG Boxing and Baja Boxing, the Soto vs. Ortiz WBF Welterweight title fight was broadcast live in Mexico by Televisa.