Around the Net: Humberto Soto vs Urbano Antillon Pre-Fight Edition

Humberto Soto faces his toughest test in years this Saturday night when he takes on fellow Mexican Urbano Antillon in a twelve round lightweight showdown.

The aggressive body punching Antillon was a fighter on the rise until running into Miguel Acosta last year, and it remains to be seen whether he'll attack with the same kind of intensity he did in the past.  Some fighters remain undaunted after being dropped heavily and stopped, while others lose a little bit of steam.

Soto looked like a potential star back in 2005 when he upset Rocky Juarez on HBO, but has failed to really move past the level he showed that night.  He's also changed gears a little over the last couple years, and appears less inclined to mix it up these days.  His style should still mesh well with Antillon's come forward approach and chances are we could see some real sparks - and perhaps the weekend's best fight.

Let's take a quick look around the net at some of the pre-fight buzz for the 135lb clash...

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This feels like one of those fights where I should pick Soto to lose again, because it feels overdue. But I get the feeling he'll prove to just be a better, more complete fighter than Antillon in this one. Antillon will still have a future after this, but I just think Soto's probably good enough to survive this stiff test. The next one might be the one that gets him, but I like "Zorrita" on Saturday, though he'll have his moments of real doubt. Soto UD-12

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Soto very well could be in a tailspin, unless he was goofing off against people he expected to beat easily. Antillon's never beaten anyone all that impressive, but I like him here, or at least I like him more than I trust Soto is tip-top. Here's guessing that Antillon pulls off the narrow upset unanimous decision.

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There is also a skills gap visible between the two. Neither is great defensively but Soto keep his guard a little tighter and gets off just a hair quicker. Antillon is a sucker for a stiff jab throws his shots wider than Soto. Antillon has been at Lightweight longer but that won’t add up to a size difference worth considering in the ring.

Soto is unlikely to climb much higher than the middle of the elite Lightweight pack, but Antillon doesn’t appear ready for even the middle. In a crowd pleaser, a class gap should make the difference for Soto in a late stoppage or decision.

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Arum said the winner of the Urbano Antillon-Humberto Soto fight, for Soto’s WBC lightweight championship, will get a date on Showtime, on Feb. 26 versus Brandon Rios. The No. 6 WBC Antillon (28-1), a bomber, said he’s had the best training camp ever and is confident he’ll get the Rios gig. "I’m going to bring it on Saturday and take home that crown," he said. Soto (58-7) thanked the media for covering the event, and said the fans will be the winner, that the bout will be a goodie.