Philippines, 14 Jan 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


SOTO WINS, CONTINUES TO DREAM OF PACQUIAO FIGHT


PhilBoxing.com




After scoring a decisive ten round decision over a rough, rugged and sometimes dirty Jesus “El Matador” Chavez who often showed the instincts of a charging bull rather than a precise, elegant matador, WBC super featherweight champion Humberto “Little Zorro” Soto continued to dream of someday fighting pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao although that, at present, looks unlikely.

Soto moved up to lightweight to take on former champion Chavez who had fought such formidable opponents as the undefeated Floyd Mayweather Jr and Mexican legend Erik “:El Terrible” Morales in the past and although he was in a war that sometimes turned ugly, Soto was too quick and too good for Chavez in another exciting bout telecast by ABS-CBN over Studio 23..

Soto dropped Chavez in the opening round and although he continued to get the better of the torrid exchanges, Chavez on occasions hurt Soto and created problems with his awkward style as he kept boring in and throwing punches without let up.

At one point Chavez had Soto grimacing on the canvas with a very low blow in round six after earlier throwing Soto through the ropes in round five for which he was deducted a point by referee Russell Mora. .

But no matter what he did Chavez couldn’t overcome the talented Soto who won by a shutout on the scorecards of all three judges 100-87.

Boxing writer Mark Vester quotes Soto as saying he still hopes to one day land a mega-bout with Manny Pacquiao, who is now fighting at the welterweight limit as the WBO champion. If he can't get Pacquiao, another fighter Soto hopes to land is WBO/WBA lightweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez. Soto wants an all-Mexican war with the veteran.

However, Marquez is scheduled to return to the ring on May 1 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. He was recently ordered to defend his WBO portion of the lightweight crown against Michael Katsidis. Sotos feels a victory over Marquez will finally land him Pacquiao

Soto said "Next year, I hope to have two great battles, against Juan Manuel Marquez and then against Manny Pacquiao," who had been mentioned as a possible opponent two years. But with Pacquiao’s present stature, a fight with Soto is not likely to make sense, financially for Pacquiao who is looking ahead for a super fight against undefeated Floyd Mayweather Jr on March 13 most probably at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Jamaine Ortiz Aims to Derail Keyshawn Davis’ Undefeated Streak at Madison Square Garden
    , Wed, 14 Jan 2026
  • “No bad blood from me”- Good friends become better rivals – Clarke is ready for Cruiserweight title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
    , Wed, 14 Jan 2026
  • Itauma suffers injury; Magnificent 7 rescheduled to March 28
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 14 Jan 2026
  • Top Super Lightweights Bryan Flores & Starling Castillo Battle in 10-Round Main Event of ProBoxTV’s ‘The Contender Series’
    , Wed, 14 Jan 2026
  • Harden surpasses Shaquille O'Neal's to become the ninth all-time leading scorer in NBA history
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 14 Jan 2026
  • “It’s time, LFG” - Holly McMath Trilogy for WBC Title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
    , Tue, 13 Jan 2026
  • IBA President Kremlev encourages sporting organisations to protect women’s sport following Trump’s statement on Imane Khelif
    , Tue, 13 Jan 2026
  • REYES, STRICKLAND, BUSTAMANTE & SOUQUET SET FOR HISTORIC SHOWDOWN AT WNT LEGENDS – EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
    , Tue, 13 Jan 2026
  • Pumicpic fights Korean in Japan
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 13 Jan 2026
  • No. 1 rated WBA Super Flyweight contender John “Scrappy” Ramirez remains patient and Looks forward to a 2026 World title shot
    , Tue, 13 Jan 2026
  • Ironman 70.3 Davao on March 22
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 13 Jan 2026
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 12 JANUARY 2026: Dalton Smith Halts Subriel Matias in 5; Kabayel Stops Knyba in 3
    By Eric Armit, , Mon, 12 Jan 2026
  • Chess Players Association of Negros Occidental, Incorporated (CPANOI) – 2026 Opening Event
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 12 Jan 2026
  • STUNNING SMITH DESTROYS MATIAS TO BECOME WORLD CHAMPION
    , Sun, 11 Jan 2026
  • Former WBC champ Bazooka Limón hospitalized in Mexico
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sun, 11 Jan 2026
  • Zuffa Boxing set to unveil its maiden card on January 23 in Las Vegas
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 10 Jan 2026
  • ‘I’ve got an army and army’s move in numbers’ Owen Corrigan returns for Light Heavyweight title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
    , Sat, 10 Jan 2026
  • Pasalamat Festival Chess Tour 2026 to Push Through
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 10 Jan 2026
  • MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS & TURNING STONE RESORT CASINO PRESENT CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28 - VERONA, NY
    , Sat, 10 Jan 2026
  • ELIF TURHAN SIGNS NEW MULTI-FIGHT DEAL WITH MATCHROOM BOXING – FIRST IBF WORLD TITLE DEFENCE DATE SET FOR SATURDAY, JANUARY 31
    , Sat, 10 Jan 2026
  • Driving Philippine Tennis Forward: Jean Henri Lhuillier Champions the 2026 Cebuana Lhuillier Tennis Tour
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 10 Jan 2026
  • 2026 USA Boxing Elite High Performance Selection Camp Attendees Announced
    , Sat, 10 Jan 2026
  • ‘I’m ready to make some noise’ Billy Quinncroft returns for Cruiserweight title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
    , Fri, 09 Jan 2026
  • Dableo and Laylo's Team to Compete in Bulacan
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 09 Jan 2026
  • Sanman Boxing present Yeerken vs. Carcedo WBA Asia South Title Clash in General Santos City on Feb 9
    , Fri, 09 Jan 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.