by James Slater – Supporting Manny Pacquiao’s win over Joshua Clottey on Saturday night were Mexico’s Humberto Soto and Ireland’s John Duddy, and both guys, exciting fighters in their own right, won in pretty impressive fashion. 29-year-old Soto improved to 51-7-2(32) in winning the vacant WBC lightweight title with a commanding UD over the tough David Diaz, while 30-year-old middleweight contender Duddy won a ten-round split decision over Michael Medina in improving his record to 29-1(18.).
Both guys, reportedly, will now feature on the upcoming Miguel Cotto-Yuri Foreman card to be held at the legendary Yankee Stadium on June 5th.
Soto, who figures to stay at lightweight (thus vacating his WBC 130-pound crown) is slated to defend against the unbeaten Anthony Peterson in what will likely be a highly interesting fight; while New York-based fan favourite Duddy will face a TBA on June 5th, with a big fight with the undefeated Julio Cesar Chavez Junior being looked at for later on in the year assuming he wins.
Soto, one of the more underrated and also overlooked world champions in the sport, figures to get a good test from the 24-year-old Peterson, 30-0(20). Both men are fine boxers who also have some punching power and the fight will be a big step up for Washington D.C’s Peterson – but one he feels he is more than ready to make all the same. Soto, unbeaten in his last seven, looked strong and fast up at 135-pounds, and though he will be the shorter man with the shorter reach against Peterson, he must be made at least a slight favourite to get the win.
The stardom “La Zorrita” wants will not come with a win over Peterson, but an impressive win would catch the eyes of some no doubt; while a stoppage win would be a good statement. Soto is an enjoyable fighter to watch, he is always in top shape and willing to give his all and he wants to fight the best each and every time out. His fight with the unbeaten younger man may well wind up being a better fight than the main event on June 5th.
As for Duddy, he went home unmarked after the closer than it perhaps appeared win over Medina, and he boxed in a patient manner against the useful Mexican at times. The fight between he and Chavez Junior has been spoken about for quite a while now, and it is to be hoped the exciting Irishman comes through okay against his TBA in June. Both he and Chavez are good body punchers who enjoy a close quarters rumble, and their talked of clash has “action fight” written all over it!