World Boxing Federation World Welterweight Champion Jose “Piston” Lopez is set for a very tough first defense of his title, as he clash with fellow countryman and former three-time World Champion Humberto “Zorrita” Soto at the Estadio Morelos in Ecatepec, Mexico on Saturday November 10.
Only 21 years old, Lopez won the WBF World title this past August when he edged another Mexican, Jose Emelio Perea, by majority decision in Guadalajara, but while he is the defending champion and brings a fine record of 17-2-1 (19), some would consider the challenger as a slight favorite on fight night.
Humberto Soto is 58-8-2 (34) since turning pro at seventeen in 1997. Now 32, he will be going for his fourth world title, after capturing championships at Featherweight, Super Featherweight and Lightweight. He won his first world title in 2005 by beating highly touted US Olympian Rocky Juarez, and his second in 2008 when he stopped current world champion Gamaliel Diaz. In 2010 he decisioned former champion David Diaz to become a three-time champion.
And with all the accomplishments and experience of Humberto Soto in mind, the defending champion is well aware that he will be facing his careers biggest challenge, saying:
“I think I am part of a new generation of Mexican fighters, and I am ready to take over after the likes of Eric Morales and Rafael Marquez who are in the twilight of their careers. Adding a victory over Soto will help me do that, and I have been working hard with this in mind since I was told of the fight.”
“I know it will not be an easy task”, continued Lopez. “But nothing in life is easy, and on November 10 I will end the story of Soto and continue to build on the story of Jose Lopez.”
The Jose Lopez vs. Humberto Soto World Boxing Federation World Welterweight title fight will be promoted by Promociones Del Pueblo, and will be televised Live throughout Mexico on Televisa.
