By Steve Kim
As of now, veteran Humberto Soto is slated to face Antonio Orozco in what figures to be an interesting crossroads match-up on October 3rd at the StubHub Center in what will be the opening bout on HBO before Lucas Matthysse faces Victor Postol. And the good news is that as of this moment, this fight hasn't been postponed or cancelled.
2015 has been a frustrating one for Soto, who first had his bout with Frankie Gomez called off on May 9th in Houston because Gomez came in heavy and then his scheduled fight with Ray Beltran on June 27th was scrapped as Beltran failed his drug test from his previous fight. Soto was then going to face Jose Felix Jr. as a late replacement but the Mexican veteran suffered a knee injury in camp and withdrew.
"That's boxing," said a philosophical Soto through an interpreter on Thursday afternoon at the Belasco Theater in Los Angeles, at a press conference to formally announce this event.
"But you need to keep your mind moving forward on the next thing to not be distracted on your next fight."
Through all the tough luck, Soto did not feel cursed.
"Nah, nah, it just happened, that's boxing and bad things happen. It's not my fault or anybodies fault. It's just boxing - it happens."
The veteran of 75 professional bouts (where he has compiled a mark of 65-8-2, 35 KO's) takes on an undefeated fighter in Orozco (22-0, 15 KO's). His nickname is 'Relentless' for his attacking style. This figures to be an entertaining match-up.
"The only thing I know is he's a younger fighter, he's undefeated, he's good with a future. So let's bring it," said Soto.
Steve Kim is the news editor for BoxingScene.com