BoxRec

In disappointing news in the boxing world, undefeated highly rated light welterweight Josh Taylor (11-0, 10 KOs) will be fighting 37-year-old Humberto ‘The Crafty Little Fox’ Soto (66-9-2, 36 KOs) on March 3 at The SSE Hydro in Glasgow, Scotland.

Soto is a former 2 division world champion, but he’s been mostly inactive for the last 2 years of his career, fighting just 1 time since his 10 round unanimous decision loss to Antonio Orozco on October 3, 2015. Soto’s last fight was in October 2016, beating journeyman Jose Daniel Ruiz at junior middleweight. This is so sad. Taylor being wasted by being matched against old guys.

Soto’s record in the last 3 years is 1-1.

1 fight since 2015

almost 38

ya, of course the times right

I have no problem with him fighting older guys, they will teach him more than the stereotypical plumped up record import, but they could have found somebody a lot more active and relevant.

I'd rather see him in with Tyrone Nurse than Soto at this stage.

Soto has always been a tough fighter, but he's well past his best at this point. Taylor should be able to learn a thing or two from this fight though which is the point of it.

How much can Soto 'teach' Taylor.

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑18 Jan 2018, 14:18 How much can Soto 'teach' Taylor.

Hard to say. Soto is a veteran fighter that I'm sure knows a thing or two that Taylor doesn't. Taylor may be able to pick up a little something he can use in this fight.

If nothing else it'll be another case of him going rounds, and getting the experience that comes with a long fight. That in and of itself is valuable experience for guys at Taylor's stage.

Another clash of shows, this is on the same night as Kell Brook - Rabchenko.

MattCoke wrote: ↑18 Jan 2018, 14:38 Another clash of shows, this is on the same night as Kell Brook - Rabchenko.

Assuming Josh Taylor is on Channel 5.. Channel 5 usually have the main event early.

Taylors not ready for world level needs a bit more experience

ThereByTheGrace wrote: ↑18 Jan 2018, 14:58 Taylors not ready for world level needs a bit more experience

Absolutely. He's a talent but people forget he's just into double figures for fights. This will be a good learning fight at this stage before stepping up again should he get the win.

jamamb wrote: ↑18 Jan 2018, 13:36 1 fight since 2015

almost 38

ya, of course the times right

Wind your neck in you. Third year as a pro and still learning the ropes. The big fights will come. Cyclone are keeping him active. He won't be the first prospect to go in with an ageing former champion and he won't be the last.

Taylor by ko

I don’t hate the fight but I think it all depends on how much ambition Soto has. If he still has the desire to win then I think it will be a good learning fight for Taylor (which I’d still expect him to win by mid-late KO) but there’s a big risk that he’s just after a payday.

I also think Taylor will be much bigger than Soto. Taylor’s a huge lightwelter and with Soto spending the majority of his career a few divisions south I think Taylor will look at least one division bigger can me fight night.

Stuarty30 wrote: ↑18 Jan 2018, 15:27

jamamb wrote: ↑18 Jan 2018, 13:36 1 fight since 2015

almost 38

ya, of course the times right

Wind your neck in you. Third year as a pro and still learning the ropes. The big fights will come. Cyclone are keeping him active. He won't be the first prospect to go in with an ageing former champion and he won't be the last.

just the reality of it mate, i know joshs still coming along. he was only just a prospect last year and i named him my 2017 prospect of the year, though i think hes a contender now

although have to say soto was totally off my radar and wasnt expecting him at all. i expect a version faded from even his 2015 self

jamamb wrote: ↑18 Jan 2018, 22:05

Stuarty30 wrote: ↑18 Jan 2018, 15:27

jamamb wrote: ↑18 Jan 2018, 13:36 1 fight since 2015

almost 38

ya, of course the times right

Wind your neck in you. Third year as a pro and still learning the ropes. The big fights will come. Cyclone are keeping him active. He won't be the first prospect to go in with an ageing former champion and he won't be the last.

just the reality of it mate, i know joshs still coming along. he was only just a prospect last year and i named him my 2017 prospect of the year, though i think hes a contender now

although have to say soto was totally off my radar and wasnt expecting him at all. i expect a version faded from even his 2015 self

Well we all know that mate. Nobody is expecting the second coming of Humberto Soto or anything man! Taylor has looked the goods his last few times out but he has to get it right.....

perspectives always worth mentioning and keeping in ppls heads, even if youd like better to brush it aside for your man josh

Jason Easton vs glen foot for the commenwealth vacated by josh , how do use see that one going ?

Not the most exiting fight that could be made, but still a much better opponent than most prospects face in their twelfth fight.

Soto is ranked in the top fifteen with the WBC so that might give us some indication of the route Cyclone will be guiding Josh down.

At the time Soto was turning pro, 6 year old Taylor received a Buzz Lightyear doll & was the happiest kid in his neighbourhood

Great fight at this stage with the expectations Taylor already has upon him.
Might be a worthless blowout but good for the record, might be a good learner and good for the record, might be a tough outing and early enough in his career to take it without too much impact on progress.
I'm looking forward to it.
Taylor is 11 fights into his career, I don't see how this is a terrible choice of opponent.

Soto is one of my favourite fighters of the last decade.
Yes he’s faded, but he’s the type of guy who’s coming to win.
You’ve got to make Taylor favourite but Soto is more than capable of old-manning him.

Soto seemed to get lost in the mainstream due to the amount of quality Mexican fighters around.

For his 12th fight, this is perfectly fine. Look at Diego De La Hoya who is 20+ fights in, and still fighting tomato cans.
Soto is tough and experienced. As far as motivated, I can't say, maybe, maybe not. But he has pride enough to show up fit and has enough heart for sure.
I think it is good matchmaking, and if Taylor fights 4-5 times this year, he will be more than ready to try for a belt when he has 16-18 fights under him. I still rate Taylor as a prospect, I think it unfair to think of him as anything else at this stage.

diego de la hoyas last opponent was solid, no worse really than davies. dlhs 4 yrs younger than taylor too

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑18 Jan 2018, 14:40

MattCoke wrote: ↑18 Jan 2018, 14:38 Another clash of shows, this is on the same night as Kell Brook - Rabchenko.

Assuming Josh Taylor is on Channel 5.. Channel 5 usually have the main event early.

Channel 5 usually have the main event at 10-10.15, I would imagine brook would be on around 10-10.30 aswell.

bigped wrote: ↑19 Jan 2018, 04:17 Jason Easton vs glen foot for the commenwealth vacated by josh , how do use see that one going ?

Hadn't realised this was on the same bill. Great news. Easton is pretty exciting to watch but he can be outboxed.