Soto secures WBC title

Mexican steps up to outpoint Diaz

Last updated: 14th March 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Soto secures WBC title

Soto: New champion

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Humberto Soto outpointed David Diaz in Texas on Saturday night to win the vacant WBC lightweight title.

The 29-year-old Mexican (51-7-2) successfully stepped up from super-featherweight to claim the title via a unanimous decision on the Pacquiao/Clottey undercard at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington.

He knocked down Diaz in the first and last rounds to prevail by scores of 115-111 and 117-109 twice.

Soto started impressively and forced his opponent to touch down in the opener by landing a left-hand counter as Diaz rushed in.

The first half of the fight saw Soto landing all the best punches, making good use of his reach and superior hand speed.

But as the bout wore on Diaz (35-3) - back at world-title level after losing his belt in that horrific beating by Manny Pacquiao in 2008 - made a spirited bid for victory.

He was the aggressor, albeit a limited one, with Soto seemingly content to try and steal rounds with eye-catching late flurries.

But despite that he still had the class to land the cleaner shots, and rubber-stamped his victory by putting Diaz down again with a barrage of punches in the final 30 seconds of round 12.