Photos/Quotes: Humberto Soto Trains For Urbano Antillon

By Rafael Soto

Temoaya, Edo. Mexico - The lightweight champion of the World Boxing Council (WBC), Humberto Soto, spent a month of training at the high altitude of Temoaya in State of Mexico, and this week he will close his preparation for the third defense of his title, scheduled for December 4 in Anaheim, California.

Soto will face Urbano Antillon (28-1-0, 20 KOs) at the Honda Center as part of a pay-per-view constructed by Top Rank and Zanfer. The card will be headlined by a bout between Julio Caesar Chavez Jr. and Alfonso Gomez.

 
In the mountains in the State of Mexico, "Zorrita" already completed the necessary stages of fitness, strength and endurance, and with less than two weeks to go - he is only one kilogram above the division limit, so the weight factor will not be a problem.

'Zorrita' has responded very well to working at such heights. He already had three 10 round sparring sessions and this Thursday will be his final session of 12 rounds. He is very strong and has great resilience," said Romulo Quirarte Jr., the coach in charge of his preparation.

Soto runs every morning, filled with jogging and sprints, and in the afternoon he goes to the gym.

"Humberto is in great physical condition. His pace and cardio is excellent and his body's defenses have been strengthened by the height. I think he looks much better now than in previous fights when he was trained in Los Mochis and Tijuana," said doctor Roman Cruz, who has been following the health and nutrition of Humberto.

"Zorrita" has been sparring with Jokasn Hernandez, Misael Castillo, Mario Perez, and all of them agree that Soto is a fighter of great strength.

"I felt very well. It's really helped me take in a lot of oxygen when running at this high altitude and I can say that it's of the best physical preparations of my career," said Soto.

After completing the final 12 round sparring session on Thursday, the entire team will go down to sea level, by heading to Tijuana, to end the preparation and then move to Anaheim, California, on the following Tuesday - where promotional commitments will be fulfilled and expected date of the fight will be near.

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Zanfer Promotions and Tecate, the pay-per-view will be broadcast will start at 9 pm ET/6 pm Pacific fom the Honda Center in Anaheim, California, and in Mexico on TV Azteca. The tickets are priced at $ 200, $ 100, $ 50 and $ 30 and are available in all Tickmaster agencies, by phone at (800-745-3000) and the Honda Center box office.