Antonio Orozco Shines, Decisions Humberto Soto

By Francisco Salazar

Junior welterweight Antonio Orozco won a 10 round unanimous decision over former multiple world title holder Humberto Soto.

It was a major step up in opposition for the young Orozco, who resides in San Diego. Soto was scheduled to fight Frankie Gomez on May 9, but the fight was cancelled the day before at the weigh-in when Gomez was way over the contracted weight.

Soto seemed to take the first round, but Orozco was able to get the best of him in the second round by walking him down and beating him to the punch.

Both fighters had their moments over the next couple of rounds. Orozco tried to get on the inside and attack the body, but Soto was able to throw him off with repeated jabs that landed on Orozco’s face.

When the pace slowed, it seemed to favor Soto, who was content to work from the center of the ring. Both fighters did well in the fifth round, landing hooks and crosses to the body and head.

While Orozco may have lacked going to the body, he began to utilize his ring generalship to set up his combinations to the head and body. Undaunted, Soto looked to counter Orozco with left hooks to the head.

Orozco was deducted a point in the ninth round for a low blow by referee Jerry Cantu. Television replays showed the punch seem to land on Soto’s beltline.

Both fighters had their moments in the 10^th round, as Orozco seemed to be the aggressor. All three judges scored the bout in favor of Orozco, 97-92, 97-92, and 98-91.

Orozco improves to 23-0, 15 KOs, while Soto drops to 65-9-2, 35 KOs.