By Jake Donovan

Earlier this year, Angel Acosta sat and watched his stablemate Alberto Machado crash and burn in a stunning knockout loss to Andrew Cancio.

He wound up suffering the same fate in chief support to their title fight rematch.

The lean junior flyweight titlist from Puerto Rico thought he was in the clear following a 3rd round knockdown, but ultimately fell prey to a late rush by Mexico’s Elwin Soto. The fight ended in stunning—and controversial—fashion, as Soto scored a 12th round stoppage to win the 108-pound crown Friday evening at Fantasy Springs Casino in Indio, Calif.

“It feels really nice. I’ve always dreamed of this, and it’s so nice to experience it,” said Soto in prevailing in his first attempt at a major title.

The moment didn’t come free of controversy—but was entertaining all the way through.

It was bombs away from the start, with the pair of diminutive sluggers not at all interested in a feeling out process. Puerto Rico’s Acosta—blessed with freakish punching power for the 108-pound division—is used to taking the lead. He was instead put into reaction mode early as Soto assumed the role of bully, to which the defending titlist struggled to adjust.

The first scare for Acosta came in round two, avoiding a knockdown when a stumble to the canvas was ruled a slip by referee Thomas Taylor. It hardly changed the damage inflicted by a right hand from Soto just prior to incidental contact causing the fall. Acosta stormed back, connecting with hooks to the body but unable to dent the first-time title challenger.

Soto put him down for real early in round three. A left hook had Acosta on wobbly legs, with a follow up right hand forcing him to the canvas for just the second time in his career. The lone other occasion came in his only loss as a pro, a 12-round decision to the excellent Kosei Tanaka more than two years ago.

“When I first dropped him, I knew I could stop him,” Soto insisted. “But I was also prepared to go 12 hard rounds, which I did.”

Acosta beat the count but found himself down on the canvas moments later, this time after tripping over Soto’s foot. From there came non-stop action to help create the latest Fight of the Year candidate, as it became a war of attrition and a battle between Soto’s heavy right and Acosta’s potent left hook.

What appeared to be an upset on the horizon instead became a missed opportunity for Soto, who struggled with fatigue heading into the second half of the contest. Acosta took advantage of the circumstances, as he began banking rounds while still throwing with every intention of maintaining his perfect knockout-to-win ratio.

What he would have to settle was an increasing lead on the scorecards, though one which would render moot.

Soto was urged by his corner to let his hands go down the stretch, but just seemed lost in uncharted waters in not just his first career title fight but also first time fighting beyond the eighth round.

He finally woke up in round 12, just in time to add the latest upset entry in a year full of shocking in-ring results.

Acosta sought to close the show, landing a flurry of punches upstairs before getting clipped with a left hook to the temple. It froze him in place long enough for Soto to go on the attack, pinning him along the ropes as the Mexican slugger went for broke.

Looking to defend himself, Acosta’s lack of return fire prompted referee Thomas Taylor to stop the contest at 0:22 of round 12. The verdict was booed by the crowd and met with immediate protest from the exiting titlist.

“I’m disappointed with the stoppage,” noted Acosta (20-2, 20KOs), whose 18-month title reign ends after just three successful defenses. “Yes, he hurt me, but I was able to continue. I’m just disappointed in losing my title this way.”

Soto improves to 15-1 (11KOs), scoring by far the biggest win of his career in changing the landscape at junior flyweight.

He’s more than happy to match if not surpass the moment.

“It would be an honor to share the ring with Tito Acosta again,” said Soto. “He is a great champion and I appreciate the opportunity he gave me.”

The perfect thank you would be to return the favor.

“I would really like a rematch,” insists Acosta. “If not, then I want to go after the other champions in the division.”

The bout streamed live on DAZN, in supporting capacity to Cancio-Machado II.

Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox