SOTO FIGHTS DIAZ FOR PACQUIAO?S SUPER FEATHERWEIGHT TITLE
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 12 Oct 2008
Humberto Soto (44-7-2, 28 KO?s) battles Gamaliel Diaz (23-7-2, 10 KO?s) for the World Boxing Council super featherweight interim title since the leading world boxing organization had withdrawn its recognition of Filipino ring idol Manny Pacquiao as the 130 pound champion.
WBC president Jose Sulaiman told www.insidesports.ph that they would continue to recognize Pacquiao as the lightweight champion since he won the title with a 9th round demolition of David Diaz.
Sulaiman noted that a fighter cannot keep two titles for a long period of time and since nobody had contacted the WBC thirty days after Pacquiao won the lightweight title and the organization ?understood that Pacquiao was keeping the title he recently won? which was the lightweight crown.
Sulaiman said Pacquiao moved up in weight, from super featherweight where he won the title via a split decision over Juan Manuel Marquez and ?consequently as he did not give up any of the titles, the WBC understood he was not going to keep the super featherweight championship and withdrew recognition of that title.?
Humberto Soto (44-7-2, 28 KO?s) will fight for the interim title against Gamaliel Diaz (23-7-2, 10 KO?s) on October 11 in Mexico and then, according to Sulaiman the WBC will decide at its annual convention in Guangzhou , China ?who is going to be the challenger to Soto.?
Don Jose said the WBC will allow Pacquiao to keep his lightweight title for ninety days after the December 6 bout against De La Hoya stating that Pacquiao ?must fight again or have a signed contract to defend the lightweight title within 90 days.?
The WBC president said that ?in respect for Manny we are going to give him the opportunity not to take away his title? but emphasized that he must defend the WBC lightweight crown or at least sign to defend the title 90 days after December 6.
Meantime, both Soto and Diaz tipped the scales at exactly the 130 pound limit at the official weigh-in on the eve of their showdown.
In a hugely controversial ending to his last fight which was for the interim title, Soto was disqualified by referee Joe Cortez in his clash with Francisco Lorenzo but after polling the board of governors the WBC chose not to award the title to Lorenzo due to the botched-up ending and ordered an interim title fight between Soto and Diaz.
Diaz is coming off a 4th round TKO victory over unheralded Juan Velasquez.
The interim title fight which will take place on Sunday, Manila Time, will be held at the Coliseo Centenario in Mexico.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
CAPITO IGNITES TITLE DEFENCE IN STYLE | 2025 UK OPEN POOL CHAMPIONSHIP
Wed, 07 May 2025Sol Levinson: The Man Whose Gloves Elevated Boxing
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Tue, 06 May 2025Undefeated Cuban Heavyweight Prospect Dainier Pero Finishes Intense Las Vegas Training Camp Ahead of May 9 MVP Main Event on DAZN
Tue, 06 May 2025The Past Week in Action 5 May 2025: Inoue-Cardenas Saves Historic Boxing Weekend; Canelo-Scull Sets New Record for Fewest Punches Thrown
By Eric Armit, Tue, 06 May 2025Sampson Lewkowicz Congratulates Cardenas, Romero and Espinoza and Vows to Make Next Year's Cinco de Mayo Unforgettable, Highlighted by David Benavidez Facing the Winner of Bivol vs. Beterbiev
Tue, 06 May 2025Saving the Best for Last: GSW Upstages Raw Rockets
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Tue, 06 May 2025Antonio, Bagamasbad face tough competition in Woman FIDE Master Sheerie Joy Lomibao Open Rapid Chess Tournament on May 18
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 06 May 2025Andres “Savage” Cortes Finishes Strong Training Camp Ahead of Crucial May 10 Clash Against Salvador Jimenez at Pechanga Arena San Diego
Tue, 06 May 2025SALITA PROMOTIONS and ALL THE SMOKE FIGHT PRESENT HALL OF FAME FIGHT NIGHT
Tue, 06 May 2025IBA embraces Bare Knuckle Boxing
Tue, 06 May 2025Monster Dynamite: Inoue Crushes Cardenas in Eight
Mon, 05 May 2025"THE MONSTER" SURVIVES EARLY SCARE, DESTROYS CARDENAS IN THRILLING WAR TO RETAIN UNDISPUTED CROWN
By Dong Secuya, Mon, 05 May 2025Dana White to Promote Canelo vs. Crawford: UFC Boss Set to Elevate Superfight to Historic Levels
By T. Chin-Te, Mon, 05 May 2025Bata Reyes impressed with upcoming young players during exhibition in Libis
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 05 May 2025Canelo Wins the 'Xicoténcatl' Belt and is Undisputed Super Middleweight Champion Once Again
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sun, 04 May 2025