By Miguel Rivera
Junior welterweight contender Humberto Soto (58-7-2, 34KOs) of Los Mochis is ready for a war on June 23 at Staples Center in Los Angeles. He faces tough Argentine boxer Lucas Matthysse (30-2, 28KOs). Soto came back on Saturday in Cancun in a tuneup bout, winning a unanimous ten round decision over Brazilian Claudinei Lacerda.
Soto hurt his right hand in the second half of Saturday's fight but says it was nothing serious, however, he couldn't secure a knockout victory because of the issue.
"The fight served its purpose, which was mainly to give Humberto activity prior to the June fight with Matthysse. We would have liked to get a knockout, but Humberto had complications and had some pain in his right hand, and that prevented him from finishing the fight before the deadline. Still, we're happy because he did good work throughout the fight and now we are just focused on Matthysse," said Antonio Lozada, President Baja Boxing, who represent Soto in Mexico.
Meanwhile, Soto was pleased with Saturday's result. He wants the big fights. He wants the big titles. And says Matthysse will not stand in his way.
"We won, and that was most important and we worked well in every round. And now, we can think day and night about the fight against Matthysse. We'll rest for a few days [before going back to training camp] and we'll arrive in top condition to the fight that Mexico is waiting for [with Matthysse]. I promise my people that I will be better than ever and that night I will give them many reasons to celebrate. I'm heading straight [on the road] to stardom and Matthysse will not be an obstacle [in my path],"Soto said.
