Guzman, Soto has potential to be great fight

Rafael

By Dan Rafael
ESPN.com
(Archive)

Updated: November 16, 2007

AP Photo/Joe Cavaretta

Don't tell this to Joe Morales, right, but Joan Guzman doesn't pack the same kind of power at junior lightweight that he did at junior featherweight.

Guzman-Soto a hidden gem

The fall schedule has produced one important fight after another.

There was Kelly Pavlik's come-from-behind knockout of Jermain Taylor to win the middleweight championship. Manny Pacquiao's second win against Marco Antonio Barrera to send him into retirement. Juan Diaz's demolition of Julio Diaz in a lightweight unification match. Joe Calzaghe's masterpiece against Mikkel Kessler. Juan Manuel Marquez's near-shutout of Rocky Juarez. Miguel Cotto's close, exciting win against Shane Mosley last week. And on Dec. 8 comes the much-anticipated showdown between pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather and Ricky Hatton.

With all of those fights crammed into 10 weeks, it's understandable how junior lightweight titlist Joan Guzman's second defense against Humberto Soto (43-5-2, 27 KOs) has gotten a bit lost in the shuffle. But that doesn't mean they're not aiming to put on an exciting fight Saturday night (HBO, 9:45 ET) at the Borgata resort in Atlantic City, N.J., where the winner can put himself into the mix for fights with established division stars Pacquiao and Marquez.

"That is one of the reasons we took the Soto fight, because no one wanted to fight us," said Guzman, 31, the flashy titlist from the Dominican Republic. "We take the Soto fight and win, then that puts us right in the middle of the Pacquiao sweepstakes."

Said Soto, 27, an aggressive brawler from Mexico, "This is the last step to the big fighters that I've been wanting to get to. I thought I would get the big fights after I beat Rocky Juarez [as a late replacement in 2005], but it didn't happen. I don't know why. I fought an undefeated guy, a guy who had been to the Olympics and I gave him his first loss. Now I'm fighting another undefeated guy who has a world championship, and when I beat him I'm going to show everybody that what I did to Juarez was not a fluke. Maybe Guzman is the favorite, but that doesn't mean much to me, because I have been scratched off before and I've succeeded."

Humberto Soto

AP Photo/Keith Srakocic

Humberto Soto, right, just may be the most underrated fighter in boxing.

Also on the card: Bantamweight prospect Abner Mares (14-0, 9 KOs), a 2004 Mexican Olympian, meets Damian David Marchiano (14-2, 5 KOs) of Argentina. Additionally, HBO will replay last week's Cotto-Mosley thriller.

Guzman (27-0, 17 KOs) will have to shake off almost a year of inactivity and a left hand injury.

"I am anxious and ready to get in the ring," Guzman said. "We both have being avoided by a lot of fighters and that's why we are fighting each other, to prove that we belong and should get a chance at the big guys. As far as I'm concerned, we both hold the key to big fights and the winner will have the opportunity to get those fights."

Guzman hasn't fought since retaining his belt via unanimous decision against Antonio Davis in December 2006 in his first defense. Guzman, now trained by Floyd Mayweather Sr., was supposed to move up to lightweight to face Australia's Michael Katsidis in May, but had to withdraw because of the injury.

"This fight took a long time to work its way through because of the setback from the Katsidis fight," Guzman said. "Soto will present a tough challenge, but I am confident in my abilities. I've learned a lot under Mayweather Sr. He's made me into a more complete fighter."

Said Jose Nunez, Guzman's manager: "Guzman is ready to fight. He has that look in his eyes that you only get when you have been out of action for nearly a year. He is healthy and hungry to defend his title."

Soto is also healthy and hungry to claim a title.

"I think it's going to be a great fight -- a classic boxer versus puncher. And you know who the puncher is," said Soto, who knocked out Pacquiao's brother, Bobby Pacquiao, in June. "I've been wanting to fight all these guys, but it's hard to get these guys to fight me. I'm really surprised and amazed that Guzman is willing to fight me. But I'm glad he did. I'm facing a guy with a lot of skill and he may be the best at 130 pounds. I love a challenge."

Casamayor-Santa Cruz rematch ordered

Casamayor, Santa Cruz

AP Photo/Mary Altaffer

It wasn't a classic, but Joel Casamayor, left, and Jose Armando Santa Cruz's first fight does warrant a rematch.

Lightweight Jose Armando Santa Cruz (25-3, 14 KOs), the victim of an incomprehensible robbery on Saturday's Miguel Cotto-Shane Mosley undercard in New York when recognized world champion Joel Casamayor (35-3-1, 21 KOs) was awarded a shocking split decision, gained a measure of solace this week.

At its annual convention in Manila, the WBC ordered an immediate rematch due to the controversy. Casamayor, the linear and Ring magazine champion, also owns the WBC's interim belt.

While ringside media and HBO's broadcasters had Santa Cruz winning by wide margins, many giving Casamayor only one round, judges Ron McNair and Frank Lombardi each had it 114-113 for Casamayor and Tony Paolillo had it 114-113 for Santa Cruz. The crowd also loudly booed the decision.

Ron Scott Stevens, chairman of the New York State Athletic Commission, told ESPN.com that he will meet with all three judges to review a tape of the fight, discuss their cards and try to figure out what they were seeing as they scored it.

"I want to see if we are [on] the same page when it comes to the criteria on how to score a fight," said Stevens, who added that the scores surprised him.

Chavez Jr. stepping up

Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., the 21-year-old son of the legend, will fight his most significant fight when he faces Ray Sanchez III on Top Rank's "Latin Fury" pay-per-view card Dec. 1 at the Tingley Coliseum in Albuquerque, N.M., Sanchez's hometown.

The confident Sanchez, 24, said the untested Chavez (33-0-1, 26 KOs) shouldn't have agreed to fight him in his hometown.

"Chavez Jr. made a big mistake coming to my hometown," said Sanchez (20-1, 15 KOs), who has won 12 in a row since his only loss in 2002. "There's no way I will lose. All of the pressure is on Chavez. He is the one who called me out. He is the one coming to my hometown."

Chavez's goal is to win and move on, perhaps to a March fight against popular former "Contender" star Alfonso Gomez.

"I have a dream too," Chavez said. "My dream is to beat Sanchez, move to a higher level and fight in even bigger fights."

The televised undercard is also set. It will feature Mexican action star Jorge Arce (47-4-1, 36 KOs) against Medgoen Singsurat (48-4, 24 KOs) of Thailand in a bantamweight fight; junior flyweight world champ Ivan "Iron Boy" Calderon (29-0, 26 KOs) of Puerto Rico in his first defense against Mexico's Juan Esquer (20-1-1, 15 KOs) and Denver junior welterweight prospect Mike Alvarado (18-0, 12 KOs) in a stiff test against Puerto Rico's Henry Bruseles (25-3-1, 14 KOs).
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QUICK HITS

• HBO has indefinitely shelved plans for six new episodes of the acclaimed 2003 Emmy-award winning documentary series "Legendary Night," which showcased 12 of HBO's most memorable fights, HBO Sports executive producer Rick Bernstein told ESPN.com. HBO had previously announced that a new batch of episodes was in the works and would debut in the fourth quarter of 2008. Bernstein did not give a specific reason, but said he hoped there would be more episodes eventually.

Povetkin

• If the handlers for heavyweights Alexander Povetkin (Germany's Sauerland Event) and Eddie Chambers (Goossen Tutor) are unable to reach an agreement, a purse bid will be held Nov. 29. Povetkin knocked out Chris Byrd on Oct. 27 and Chambers outpointed Calvin Brock on Nov. 2 in semifinal eliminators. Now, Povetkin and Chambers are due to meet to determine the mandatory challenger for titleholder Wladimir Klitschko. Chambers promoter Dan Goossen said he and Sauerland have the framework for a deal but the impasse is where the fight will take place. Goossen wants it in the U.S.; Sauerland wants it in Germany. "We're talking through it and if we can come to a resolution, fine," Goossen said. "If not, we'll proceed with the purse bid. But our discussions are cordial. We have that one obstacle to overcome." HBO has strong interest in airing Povetkin-Chambers regardless of the venue.

Hatton

• Ricky Hatton is going to make sure he has plenty of time to get used to the climate and time change ahead of his Dec. 8 (HBO PPV) showdown with welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. at Las Vegas' MGM Grand. Hatton, who says he's already been training for 13 weeks in Manchester, England, will arrive in Las Vegas Nov. 23, giving him plenty of time to complete training. The Hatton camp insists that he's already close to fighting weight, which is always a concern because of how much weight Hatton usually puts on between fights. "Dieting has got to be the worst part of training for fights," Hatton said. "My favorite food is Chinese, but I have to stay away from the rice and Chinese sauces during training camp." HBO's four-part reality series "Mayweather/Hatton 24/7," which will give viewers an inside look as both fighters prepare for the match, premiers Sunday night (10 ET/PT).

Miranda

• Charismatic super middleweight sluggers Edison Miranda (29-2, 25 KOs) of Colombia and Canada's Jean Pascal (19-0, 14 KOs) are on a collision course. Leon Margules of Miranda promoter Seminole Warriors Boxing told ESPN.com that the duo will fight separate bouts on an ESPN2 doubleheader Jan. 11 in Hollywood, Fla. If they each win, they'll meet June 7 in Montreal. "Our plan is to have them fight two representative opponents on Jan. 11 and if both are successful, they'll fight the first weekend in June, and whatever network antes up can have the fight," Margules said. HBO is interested but ESPN has the right to match any offer. Pascal is a draw in Montreal and the bout would take place on a huge weekend in the city, the same as the annual Formula 1 Montreal Grand Prix.

Gomez

• The WBC's heavyweight title is being backed up again by mandatory fights. First, titleholder Oleg Maskaev must face interim titlist Samuel Peter, a long-overdue fight slated for Feb. 2. At its annual convention this week in Manila, the WBC reaffirmed Vitali Klitschko, the former titleholder returning from multiple injuries, as the mandatory for the winner of Maskaev-Peter. The organization also sanctioned a "final" eliminator between Vladimir Virchis and Juan Carlos Gomez. The winner of Virchis-Gomez will receive a shot against whomever is left standing among Maskaev, Peter and Klitschko. It could take awhile.

;• Promoter Lou DiBella signed southpaw junior middleweight Sergio Martinez (40-1-1, 21 KOs) of Argentina. Martinez's only loss came via seventh-round TKO to Antonio Margarito in Las Vegas in 2000. Martinez, who won his only other bout in the U.S., is the mandatory challenger for the winner of the Dec. 1 bout between titlist Vernon Forrest and Michele Piccirillo. "He is a phenomenal boxer who packs a serious punch," DiBella said in announcing the signing. "I am happy to be promoting a major player in the 154-pound division." Martinez will make his debut under DiBella's banner Dec. 6 (Versus) against Ossie Duran in New York.

Guerrero

• As soon as he knocked out Martin Honorio in the first round on Nov. 3, featherweight titlist Robert Guerrero couldn't wait to get back to the bedside of his wife, Casey, who had been diagnosed with leukemia just a few days earlier. Guerrero said she is feeling better and happy with the way her prognosis is coming along. "She was happy to see me when I arrived back to her room," Guerrero said. "With all the support and prayers from family, friends, fans and media, she continues to improve." As for his boxing career, Guerrero is anxious for a major fight, be it at featherweight or junior lightweight. "I would love to get in the ring with [Manny] Pacquiao, [Juan Manuel] Marquez, [Marco Antonio] Barrera or any of the champions at 126 [pounds]. The fans deserve to see the best fight the best, so my motto is, 'Let's give it to them.'"

Corrales

• Junior middleweight Jimmy Lange, a former "Contender" participant and great admirer of the late Diego "Chico" Corrales, said that a benefit card he hosted last month raised $5,170, which will be given to Corrales' family. "I'm truly proud that we raised more than $5,000 to help Diego Corrales' family," Lange said. "My fans have been extremely loyal and generous in support of everything I do. I'm extremely grateful for everyone that helped organize and participate in the event … we hope our small token of appreciation helps the family during the holiday season."

Savarese

• Longtime fringe heavyweight contender Lou Savarese, 42, is getting into the promotional arena. He has become a partner in New York-based Ring Promotions, joining former New York boxing commissioners Bob Duffy and Tony Mazzarella, the company announced. Savarese (46-7, 38 KOs) announced his retirement from fighting after a decision loss to Evander Holyfield in June.

Quotable

Mayorga

"If Vargas wants to run like little Miss Mayweather than I am going to get him a pink skirt and pink rollerblades and he can run around the ring in those." -- consummate trash talker Ricardo Mayorga, ripping Fernando Vargas (and getting a dig in at Floyd Mayweather) as he hypes their Nov. 23 (Showtime PPV, 10 p.m. ET) super middleweight fight.

Quotable

Vargas

"I don't like anything about Mayorga. He has a face only a mother gorilla would love. I'm going to beat the [crap] out of him. He's a stupid fighter. He doesn't get it. Mayorga says that I'm going to run. I'm not going to run. He's a stupid ass. I'm going to knock him out." -- Fernando Vargas, on one of the many reasons he doesn't like Ricardo Mayorga and what he plans to do when they meet Nov. 23.