Jesse Vargas overcomes a cut, but stops Humberto Soto in six
On April 26 in Inglewood, California on the undercard of Rungvisai-Estrada II, former WBO Welterweight Jessie Vargas had to work. However, in the end, he was too much for former Super-Feather and Lightweight champion Humberto Soto.
The 38 year-old Soto took no time to feel things out early on. He came forward looking for a fight and the 29 year-old was more than willing to oblige. At 0:25 seconds in the second, Vargas suffered a cut over his left eye as a result of a headbutt. This was a high-pace fight from early on.
New trainer Freddie Roach advised Vargas to box at the start of the third, but Soto was having none of it. Pressing the action, the older veteran continued to not only press the action, but was catching the younger fighter with right-hands and left hooks in the process in both the third and fourth.
In the sixth round, the fight took a dramatic turn for Vargas. His power showed as he hurt and knocked down Soto with a right-hand sixty-five seconds into the round. While he was able to get up, Soto was still hurt and Vargas pounced. A follow-up assault further hurt Soto and referee Thomas Taylor stepped in and called a halt to the contest with 1:12 to go in the round.
Weighing 150.4 lbs for this bout, Vargas said afterwards he’s looking for a title opportunity at Jr Middleweight with current WBO Jr Middleweight Jaime Munguia as his target of choice.
By: Michael Wilson Jr.
