Puerto Rico has defeated Mexico in another episode, another page of one of the greatest rivalries in the world of professional boxing between both nations; Jonathan ‘Bomba’ González managed to defeat Mexican Elwin ‘La Pulga’ Soto by way of a split decision and established himself as the new world flyweight champion of the World Boxing Organization.

The 3 judges had the same score 116-112 for both boxers, with the difference that 2 saw the Puerto Rican boxer as the clear winner of the fight, while the remaining one awarded his scorecard to the now former Aztec world champion, Soto.

The fight was one where the Puerto Rican Jonathan ‘Bomba’ González used a lot his technical and tactical superiority where he was able to apply in all 12 rounds of the fight, his mobility, constant jabbing and a defense that avoided in much of the fight. big hits that Elwin Soto was sending through all rounds of the fight. The Mexican was always the man who sought the duel at close range, always forcing the fight and going forward, but this time it was not as effective as in his past fights.

However, at the end of the day, the intelligence and mental and spiritual strength that Jonathan ‘Bomba’ González showed, had its fruits and he became the new world champion in the fly category and opted as one of the best boxers in the news of all of Puerto Rico, while at the moment, Elwin Soto, despite the defeat, will surely take a rest time but will return much stronger and a new World title chance should not take long to reach him, given all the talent he has in his fists and the great wars he offers fans on the ring.

Photo by Ed Mulholland

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Congratulations to Unified WBO Super Middleweight Champion Saúl ‘Canelo’ Alvarez (56-1-2, 38 KOs), who defeated Billy Joe Saunders (30-1, 14 KOs) by 8th-round TKO @ AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas.

Canelo was gaining ground from the seventh round, after a very competitive first half of the fight, against a capable Billy Joe Saunders, before 73,126 crazed fans.

At the end of the fight, Canelo was winning on the three judges’ scorecard, with points of 78-74 (Feldman), 77-75 (Cheatham) and 78-74 (DeLuca).

#AndStill Congratulations to WBO Jr. Flyweight World Champion Elwin ‘Pulga’ Soto, who defeated Katsunari Takayama, via 9th-round TKO @ AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas.

Champion Elwin Soto had to work hard to deal with the fine and experienced boxing of 38-year-old Takayama, who was rising in the ranks, after reigning five times as the minimum world champion.

Takayama received numerous highly committed power shots to the head and body, but he always stayed in the fight, shooting from different angles, with constant speed and movement.

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Elwin Soto will defend his WBO Junior-Flyweight World title against Katsunari Takayama as the chief-support bout to the blockbuster Super-Middleweight unification clash between Canelo Alvarez and Billy Joe Saunders on May 8 at AT&T stadium in Arlington, TX, live worldwide on DAZN (except Mexico).

Soto (18-1 12 KOs) fights under the Matchroom banner for the first time on the show having penned a deal with Eddie Hearn last week. The Mexican makes the third defense of the crown he ripped from Angel Acosta in dramatic fashion with a final round KO win in California in June 2019 and has seen off the challenges of Edward Heno in October 2019 and Carlos Butrago last October.

The 24 year old now puts the crown on the line against the seasoned Japanese Takayama (32-8 12 KOs). The five-time Minimumweight champion made his return to professional action in December in Osaka, Japan having left the paid ranks as a World ruler in 2017 to aim for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo – and now the 37 year old has switched his focus to becoming a two-weight World champion.

There’s a stacked card under the two World title fights, led by Kieron Conway defending his WBA Intercontinental Super-Welterweight title against Souleymane Cissokho.

Conway (16-1-1 3 KOs) picked up the title with an impressive win over Navid Mansouri at Matchroom’s Fight Camp in Brentwood, Essex in August. Conway and Cissokho (12-0 8 KOs) were due to meet on the undercard of Anthony Joshua’s win over Kubrat Pulev in London in December, but the bout had to be shelved, so Conway took his frustrations out on Macauley McGowan on that card instead, with a shut-out win over ten rounds.

French Olympian Cissokho shrugged off his pain at missing the original fight date on the undercard of his manager Joshua by recording his eighth KO win from 12 outings with a sixth round stoppage of Daniel Echeverria in Dallas in March, setting up a rescheduled clash with Conway that is full of intrigue and importance for their respective careers.

Frank Sanchez (17-0 13 KOs) let his hands go for a seventh round KO win over Julian Fernandez on the undercard of Alvarez’s win over Callum Smith in San Antonio, Texas in December, and the big Cuban Heavyweight will be looking to repeat that feat against Nagy Aguilera (21-10 14 KOs).

Sanchez is ranked at a lofty #6 with the WBO, and the 28 year old Eddy Reynoso charge will be plotting a route to the crunch clashes with his fellow big-hitters, but Aguilera will be planning to give him a tough night and the 34 year old comes into the bout on the back of a 21st career win in November.

Mexican-American talent Marc Castro (2-0 2 KOs) makes it three Canelo undercard appearances from three since making his pro debut on the Canelo-Smith card in Texas. The stellar amateur recorded a third round stoppage that night and followed that with a second round KO in Miami on the Canelo-Yildirim bill – the 21 year old will be looking to shine on the biggest stage once again over eight rounds against an opponent to be named soon.

Castro’s old amateur foe Keyshawn Davis (2-0 2 KOs) made his debut at the Hard Rock Stadium and he appears alongside Castro once again in his third pro outing. The Virginia starlet grabbed a second round win that night over Lester Brown and followed that by forcing Richman Ashelley to retire after four rounds of their battle in Dubai earlier this month, and Davis will face Jose Antonio Meza (6-4 1 KO) over six rounds. It’s a family affair on the night with Keyshawn’s brother Kelvin Davis (1-0 1 KO) fights for the second time in the paid ranks after a second round KO win on his debut in December in Los Angeles, taking on Jan Marsalek (8-2 7 KOs) over six rounds.

Rounding off the undercard, Mexican Welterweight Christian Alan Gomez Duran (19-2-1 17 KOs) is on another Canelo undercard after stopping Angel Hernandez in three rounds in San Antonio in December, and he’ll celebrate Cinco De Mayo weekend over eight rounds against an opponent to be named soon.

“It’s a stacked night of action at the home of the Dallas Cowboys on Cinco De Mayo weekend,” said promoter Eddie Hearn. “Elwin Soto is a great addition to our stable and the Mexican World champion will want to dazzle on the biggest stage against the experienced Takayama.

“The clash between Kieron and Souleymane is a cracker, and I am thrilled for both of them that they get to perform on this stage – there will be some spice there after it was postponed in December and now, they get their hands on each other in Texas.

“Frank always brings the heat and he’ll be eyeing a showstopping KO, and again, Marc and Keyshawn get to shine under the brightest lights – it’s going to be a spectacular night of action, leading to the big one between Canelo and Billy Joe.”

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Mexican star Jaime Munguia (36-0, 29 KOs) retained his WBO Intercontinental Middleweight Championship by defeating Tureano Johnson (21-3-1, 15 KOs) of Nassau, Bahamas at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino and live on DAZN. The fight ended in abrupt fashion after an uppercut from Munguia caused a severe cut on Johnson’s lip, which earned him the knockout win at the send of the sixth round.

“I’m delighted to get the victory,” said Jaime Munguia. “He surprised us early in the fight. He has a style that makes one very uncomfortable. But my corner told me to adjust and find my distance. Then I found the right uppercut. I saw that he had gotten cut from it, and then it was just a matter of time. I am ready for all the best fighters of my division.”

Elwin “La Pulga” Soto (18-1, 12 KOs) of Mexicali, Mexico retained his WBO Junior Flyweight World Title against Carlos Buitrago (32-6-1, 18 KOs) of Managua, Nicaragua via 12-round unanimous decision. Soto won with scores of 115-113, 117-111 and 119-109.

“I’m very happy to walk away with the victory,” said Elwin Soto. “I tried pressure as much as I good to score a win. These are the kind of tough fights you are in when a world title is at stake. His style was difficult for me, but I felt I did enough to win.”

For the vacant WBO Inter-Continental Super Middleweight Championship Bektemir Melkuziev (6-0, 5 KOs) defeated Alan Campa (17-5, 11 KOs) via 3rd-round KO.

Photos by Tom Hogan / Golden Boy Boxing

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All set for Friday evening live on DAZN from Fantasy Springs Casino in Indio, California.

WBO Inter-Continental Middleweight Champion Jaime Munguia weighed 159.8 lbs and Tureano Johnson 159.6, lbs

WBO Jr. Flyweight World Champion Elwin Soto 🇲🇽 weighed 107.4 lbs and Carlos Buitrago 🇳🇮 weighed 107.8 lbs #DAZN

Vacant WBO Inter-Continental Super Middleweight Championship: Bektamir Melkuziev 🇺🇿 weighed 168 lbs and Alan Campa 🇲🇽 weighed 166.6 lbs

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Luego de las espectaculares actuaciones del pasado viernes, de los campeones mundiales mexicanos, Juan Francisco “Gallo” Estrada y Julio César “Rey” Martínez, ahora toca el turno al monarca Minimosca WBO , Elwin “Pulga” Soto, de demostrar que él también, es uno de los mejores peleadores del mundo en las divisiones menores, que es un campeón mundial sólido, y que lo mejor, está por venir.

“Pulga” Soto (17-1-0, 12 ko’s) de la escuadra de Promociones de Fernando Beltrán expondrá por segunda vez su campeonato, enfrentándose al peligroso retador nicaragüense Carlos Buitrago (32-5-1, 18 ko’s) este viernes, en Indio California, en función de Golden Boy y Zanfer que será transmitida a nivel internacional por la plataforma DAZN, y retransmitida el sábado por Azteca 7, la Casa del Boxeo.

Soto, de 23 años de edad y originario de San Felipe, Baja California, dio la gran campanada al convertirse en campeón del mundo en junio de 2019, noqueando en el round 12 a Ángel Acosta, considerado un fenómeno y la próxima gran figura del boxeo boricua, que entonces llevaba un récord de 20-1-0, y todos sus triunfos por nocaut. En esa pelea, el “Pulga”, que nunca había peleado más de ocho rounds en una contienda, se llevó hasta el round 12 al “Aguacerito”, y lo noqueó en una contienda en la que iba abajo en las puntuaciones.

En su primera defensa venció por decisión unánime al hasta entonces invicto filipino, Edward Heno, y en su más reciente pelea, el 15 de febrero, liquidó en un round a Javier Rendón.

Sin embargo, le espera un rival de gran peligro como el “Chocorroncito” Buitrago, quien ya fue campeón mundial, y que aunque apenas tiene 28 años de edad, tiene una experiencia de 39 peleas (234 rounds), contra las 18 (81) de Soto.

Buitrago ha conquistado cuatro campeonatos internacionales (Juvenil Mínimo OMB, Fedecentro Mínimo AMB, Latino Mínimo OMB y NABA Mínimo), y de las cinco derrotas que aparece en su récord, sólo dos han sido por nocaut, disputando campeonatos mundiales y en casa de sus rivales. Ane Hiroto Kyoguchi en diciembre de 2017 en Japón (título mundial Mínimo FIB) y ante Ángel Acosta en junio de 2018 en Puerto Rico (título mundial Minimosca OMB).

El duelo entre “Pulga” Soto y “Chocorroncito” Buitrago será el principal de respaldo de la función que será encabezada por la pelea de campeonato Intercontinental Medio WBO , entre el tijuanense Jaime “Destructor” Munguía (35-0-0, 28 ko’s), ex monarca mundial Superwelter y el bahamés Tureano Johnson (21-2-1, 15 ko’s).

En la misma función de este viernes en Indio, California, otro mexicano estará involucrado en otra pelea de gran importancia para la proyección de su carrera. El sonorense Alan Campa (17-5-0, 11 ko’s) se enfrentará al uzbeko, y medallista de plata en los Juegos Olímpicos de Río 2016, el zurdo Bektemir Melikuziev (5-0-0, 4 ko’s) estando en juego el vacante campeonato Intercontinental Supermedio WBO.

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El viernes 30 de octubre, dos mexicanos de la cuadra de Promociones Zanfer encabezarán una explosiva función en Indio, California, en ruta a conquistar sus metas inmediatas, y confirmar su posición en la élite del boxeo mundial en sus respectivas divisiones.

Los bajacalifornianos Jaime Munguía y Elwin Soto sostendrán peleas de alto nivel, en una función a puerta cerrada que será transmitida por DAZN y que se podrá ver en territorio mexicano el sábado 31 de octubre por Azteca 7, la Casa del Boxeo.

Munguía (35-0-0, 28 ko’s), actual campeón Intercontinental de la OMB, enfrentará al ex olímpico originario de Bahamas, Tureano Johnson (21-2-1, 15 ko’s), en una pelea de alta exigencia a 10 rounds en peso Medio.

Munguía, ex campeón mundial Superwelter OMB con cinco defensas realizadas, ya peleó en peso Medio el pasado mes de enero, y noqueó en 11 rounds a Gary O’Sullivan.

Johnson, que llegó a cuartos de final en los Juegos Olímpicos de Beijing 2008 (ganó los combates de las dos rondas preliminares) representando a Bahamas, ya fue campeón Internacional Medio AMB, y las dos derrotas que aparecen en su récord han sido ante rivales de élite, como Curtis Stevens y Sergiy Derevyachenko.

La otra pelea estelar tendrá al campeón mundial Minimosca OMB, Elwin “Pulga” Soto (17-1-0, 12 ko’s) que expondrá su título por segunda ocasión, enfrentándose al nicaragüense Carlos Buitrago (32-5-1, 18 ko’s), en lo que será la pelea de más alta exigencia para el peleador mexicano, pero valiosa en su intención de unificar campeonatos.

Soto, que abrió su campamento de entrenamiento en Los Ángeles, para continuarlo en su natal San Felipe, y lo cerrará desde el día 15 de nuevo en Los Ángeles, conquistó el título en junio de 2019 noqueando en el round 12 al boricua Ángel Acosta, y lo defendió cuatro meses después frente al filipino Edward Heno, al que superó por puntos.

Sin embargo, su rival es de gran experiencia y fogueo internacional, ex campeón mundial Juvenil y ex campeón Fedecentro, Latino, Norteamérica NABA y tres veces contendientes a campeonato mundial, ha combatido, además de en su natal Nicaragua, en plazas de Estados Unidos, México, Filipinas, Tailandia, Japón, Puerto Rico y Costa Rica y se ha enfrentado a rivales de la talla de Julián Yedras, Merlito Sabilo, Thammanoon Niyomtrong, Mario Rodríguez, Hiroto Kyoguchi, el propio Ángel Acosta, McWilliams Arroyo y Félix Moncada, por lo que la “lona recorrida” estará a su favor.

Para Munguía, la meta es disputar un campeonato mundial Medio a corto plazo, y las opciones son Jermall Charlo (CMB), Ryoto Murata (AMB), Gennady Golovkin (FIB) y Demetrius Andrade (OMB), además, desde luego, del “Canelo” Álvarez, en su status de “súper campeón”.

Para Soto, unificar su campeonato mundial Minimosca OMB, en una división donde los otros campeones son Kenshiro Teraji (CMB), Carlos Canizalez (AMB regular), Hiroto Kyoguchi (AMB súper) y Félix Alvarado (FIB).

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WBO titlists included in ESPN’s rising stars list:

Former WBO Featherweight World Champion Shakur “Newark” Stevenson, former WBO Jr. Middleweight World Champion Jaime Munguia, current WBO Mini-Flyweight World Champion Wilfredo ‘Bimbito’ Méndez, current WBO Jr. Flyweight Champion Elwin Soto are included in ESPN’s Top 25 under 25, where the sports network lists the rising stars of Boxing.

Also included are former WBO/NABO Lightweight Champion Ryan Garcia, former WBO Inter-Continental Lightweight Champion Devin Haney, WBO International Featherweight Champion Rubén Villa, WBO International Heavyweight Champion Daniel Dubois, WBO Middleweight ranked #12 Edgar Berlanga, WBO Jr. Lightweight ranked #13 Lamont Roach,Jr, WBO Flyweight ranked #3 Junto Nakatani.

More on: https://www.espn.com/boxing/story/_/id/29391570/boxing-top-25-25-meet-stars-future

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INDIO, CALIF.: Soto vs. Heno was a 12-round fight for the WBO Junior Flyweight World Title presented by Golden Boy in association with Zanfer Promotions.

Elwin “La Pulga” Soto (16-1, 11 KOs) of Mexicali, Mexico made the first successful defense of his WBO Jr. Flyweight World Title against Filipino contender Edward “The Heneral Fighting” Heno (14-1-5, 5 KOs) via 12-round unanimous decision in the main event of the Oct. 24 edition Thursday Night Fights at Fantasy Springs Casino in Indio, Calif. Soto won with scores of 114-113, 115-112 and 115-112. The event was streamed live on DAZN, RingTV.com and on Facebook Watch via the Golden Boy Fight Night Page. The series is also available on regional sports networks around the nation.

“I felt I need to throw more punches,” said Elwin Soto. “I won the early rounds, and I won the later rounds. But there were some rounds in the middle where he beat me. Either way, I won the fight, and I’m ready for anyone. I just want to keep fighting, no matter who it is.”

“I’m happy that I did well,” said Edward Heno.“But I won this fight. My whole team knows I won this fight. We’re ready for anything these throw at us, but I want a rematch.”

In the co-main event, Angel “Tito” Acosta (21-2, 21 KOs) of San Juan, Puerto Rico made his debut at 112 pounds via fifth-round knockout against Raymond Tabugon (22-11-1, 11 KOs) of General Santos, Philippines for the vacant WBO International Flyweight Title. The fight was stopped at 1:02 of the aforementioned fifth round of a scheduled 10-round bout.

“I felt strong in my first fight at 112 pounds,” said Angel Acosta. “I now want to fight against the best fighters in this new weight class. With this title, I’m now ranked in the top five, so I want any of the top fighters.”

VIA www.fightbookmma.com

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El ex-campeón mundial Angel ‘Tito’ Acosta (20-2, 20KOs) está de regreso el jueves 24 de octubre y se medirá al filipino Raymond Tabugón (22-10-1, 11KOs) en un combate a 10 asaltos en su primera pelea en la división mosca por el campeonato vacante Internacional OMB. El orgullo del Barrio Obrero en San Juan Puerto Rico mostró hoy en un aparte para los medios de comunicación parte de su arsenal junto a su nuevo equipo de trabajo compuesto por el veterano entrenador mexicano Juan Muciño.

Angel ‘Tito’ Acosta:
“Me siento muy bien he trabajado bien fuerte en este campamento para obtener una gran victoria, con mi entrenador Juan Muciño ha traído otras enseñanzas”.

“Estoy a 2 libras del peso y me siento muy bien, nunca habia estado tan cerca del peso en esta estapa, me siento fuerte”.

“Aprendí mucho de mi pelea con Elwin Soto, nunca subestimo a nadie pero llegó una mano buena para Soto y ya saben el resultado y creeme que he aprendido mucho”.

Juan Muciño – Entrenador
“Tito es un gran peleador el cuál hemos desarrollado una buena química y se verá la noche de la pelea. Entiendo que esta nueva división le va venir bien a Tito. Hemos trabajado en varios detalles nuestra meta es obtener una victoria sólida”.

Tito vs.Tabugón será parte del respaldo de Elwin Soto vs. Edward Heno es un duelo a 12 episodios por el cinturón mundial minimosca de la OMB presentado por Golden Boy en asociación con Promociones Zanfer. El evento es patrocinado por Tecate, “THE OFFICIAL BEER OF BOXING.” La función se efectuará el jueves 24 de octubre de 2019 en el Fantasy Springs Resort Casino de Indio, California. Los combates serán transmitidos en vivo en RingTV.com y en Facebook Watch a través de la Pagina de Golden Boy Fight Night iniciando a las 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT.

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Elwin “La Pulga” Soto (15-1, 11 KOs) will make the first defense of his WBO Jr. Flyweight World Title against Edward “The Heneral Fighting” Heno (14-0-5, 5 KOs) of Paranaque City, Philippines in a 12-round main event of the Oct. 24 edition Golden Boy DAZN Thursday Night Fights at Fantasy Springs Casino in Indio, Calif. The fights will be streamed live on Facebook Watch via the Golden Boy Fight Night Page beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT. The series will be available on regional sports network around the nation.

Soto is a 22-year-old boxer who was virtually unknown until his upset victory over Angel Acosta to become a world champion. Though it was a controversial win, the native of Mexicali, Mexico demonstrated his power and explosiveness against one of the best fighters in his division. Now, Soto is preparing to make the first defense of his world title against a tough, undefeated challenger.

“This fight will be just like my last one,” said Elwin Soto. “I will train to the best of my abilities because I never underestimate anyone. I want to work hard to be the best in my division.”

Heno is a 26-year-old contender who began his career with a lackluster record of zero wins and three draws. Then, after over a year of inactivity, Heno returned to develop a winning record that includes several wins in his native country of the Philippines as well as victories in Japan. Heno is grateful for the opportunity as he completely turned his career into a world title opportunity.

“I have worked my whole life for this opportunity to get a world title shot,” said Edward Heno. “My life changed from the moment I started working with my manager Marty Elorde and signed with Senator Manny Pacquiao of MP Promotions, which headed by Sean Gibbons. And now I have a chance to fight world champion Elwin Soto. My life could got get any better. Mexico vs. Philippines is the greatest rivalry in boxing. I look forward to Oct. 24 and hearing my name being called as the new WBO champion of the world.”

Additionally, former heavyweight world champion Tim Witherspoon will be the special VIP Guest for this world championship event. Witherspoon will be in attendance to meet fans, sign autographs and take pictures inside the Fantasy Springs Special Events Center. The meet-and-greet is open to the public with the purchase of a ticket to the event.

In the co-main event, former WBO World Champion Angel “Tito” Acosta (20-2, 20 KOs) of San Juan, Puerto Rico will return in a 10-round flyweight fight.

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Elwin “Pulga” Soto (15-1, 10 KOs) of Mexicali, Mexico captured the WBO Jr. Flyweight World Title against Angel ‘Tito’ Acosta (20-2, 20 KOs) of San Juan, Puerto Rico via twelfth-round TKO in an action-packed fight at the Fantasy Springs Resort & Casino in Indio, California. Soto won with time 0:23 of the just-mentioned round.

“The truth is I feel nice,” said Elwin Soto. “It feels great to accomplish this. I worked very hard and put a lot of effort into this. To be honest I thought I was going to lose and thank god I landed that punch and won the fight. When I first dropped him, I felt I could have stopped him, but I knew it was going 12 rounds. This is victory means a lot and dedicate this belt to my family.”

“I’m a little disappointed,” said Angel Acosta. “Sure, he hurt me but not enough for the stoppage. If I had the chance to do it again, I would have used my jab more and used my distance more just like I did in the gym. I told the referee he shouldn’t have stopped the fight. I was coming back to get him, but he shouldn’t have stopped the fight. Look it was the last round, there was not much more in the round. I would like to fight the same opponent or the other champions in the division.”

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Another night, another entry into the Puerto Rico vs. Mexico rivalry for Angel Acosta.

The reigning junior flyweight titlist from Puerto Rico will next defend his strap versus Mexico’s Elwin Soto. Their fight will stream live in DAZN in chief support to a similarly themed main event, as his Boricua stablemate Alberto Machado attempts to avenge his lone career loss versus Calfornia’s Andrew Cancio in their 130-pound title fight rematch June 21 at Fantasy Springs Casino in Indio, Calif.

Bryan Perez, vice president of operations for Promociones Miguel Cotto—who co-promotes Acosta along with Golden Boy Promotions—informed BoxingScene.com on Tuesday.

Acosta (20-1, 20KOs) is less than three months removed from his most recent win, an 8th round knockout of former titlist Ganigan Lopez in this very venue this past March. The only change presented to the lean knockout artist was making weight, initially struggling to squeeze into a 108-pound frame but eventually coming correct and tearing through Lopez to register his third successful title defense.

Dating back to his title-winning effort over Juan ‘Pinky’ Alejo in Dec. 2017, Acosta will now enter a title fight versus a Mexican opponent for the fourth time in his last five starts. The lone exception came in his first title defense, scoring a 12th round knockout of Nicaragua’s Carlos Buitrago last June.

The lone loss of Acosta’s career came in what was also the only time he’s been extended to the final bell, dropping a 12-round decision to the excellent Kosei Tanaka in May 2017. The win for Japan’s unbeaten Tanaka was his last at junior flyweight, moving up to flyweight where more than a year later he’d win a flyweight title to become a three-division titlist after just 12 pro fights, matching Vasilily Lomachenko as the quickest to do so.

It was thought after his last fight that Acosta would eventually follow Tanaka up the scales, but insists that making weight won’t be an issue this time around.

“Keeping him as active as possible helps tremendously,” Perez notes, with the bout being Acosta’s fourth in a span of 53 weeks.

Awaiting him on June 21 is Soto (14-1, 10KOs), a 22-year old slugger from Mexico who fights in the United States for just the second time in his career. His only other trip north of the border also resulted in his lone career loss, which came in Palm Springs, Calif. in just his third pro fight.

Soto’s first title fight represents a massive leap in competition, although it comes on the undercard of a rematch to a fight that produced one of the year’s biggest upsets. Cancio arose from the canvas to thrice drop and eventually stop Machado to win a 130-pound title this past February, in just his third fight back after having retired more than two years ago.

“Our team never takes a fight lightly, but if we needed any reminder of anything happening on any night, it came (in Machado’s loss),” points out Perez.

By Jake Donovan / Senior writer for BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox

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