TalkingBoxing Articles
Vargas Win Clears to Way For De La Hoya
MON August 22, JULIUS STECKER, Ringside - It wasn’t pretty at times and often lackluster, but former two-time champion Fernando Vargas, 26-2, dug deep to beat top 10 jr. middleweight Javier Castillejo, 58-6, Saturday night at the All State Arena in Chicago, Illinois.
The scores read 97-92 [twice] and 98-91 and TalkingBoxing scored it closer at 96-94 in favor in Vargas.
Vargas established his ring generalship early on in the fight, capped off by a third round knockdown on a beautiful vintage, over hand right.
The next few rounds were really uneventful, with Vargas boxing and Castillejo trying, but failing to get inside.
In the seventh, Castillejo took control with his new found effective aggressiveness winning the round big, with much of the same in the eighth, until a late Vargas flurry made the round look closer then it appeared.
Castillejo pressed the action in the final rounds, but Vargas proved too elusive for the embattled veteran. While the fight closed with a whimper and the boos of the crowd, Vargas proved the better fighter and this win cleared the way for a possible super fight rematch against Oscar De La Hoya sometime next year.
Soto stuns Juarez, Wins WBC 'Interim' Title
If you asked me going in, I would have told you Rocky Juarez, 23-1, would have had his way with Humberto Soto, 37-5-2, for his first featherweight title. Instead, Soto dominated Juarez from the outset, using his superior boxing skills and reach to keep Juarez at bay, winning the fight via a unanimous decision, 114-113, 114-113, and 114-112. Soto secured the interim WBC featherweight championship. TalkingBoxing had it 115-111 in favor of Soto.
The fight was competitive, with moments of action packed exchanges, but Soto proved to be the better man.
The first half of the fight was all about Soto, as he boxed beautifully, not allowing Rocky inside. In round seven, the tone of the fight changed, when Juarez stunned Soto with sharps rights and lefts, almost scoring a knockdown.
Two points were taken away from Soto in the later rounds, for holding behind the head. Juarez pressed the action to carry the fight, but every time Juarez stepped it up, Soto was a hair better, winning most of the exchanges.
While Soto won the fight, Juarez has nothing to be ashamed of, having showed heart and determination in a losing effort. Fans, expect Rocky to be back after this learning experience, better than before.
Humberto Soto proved that you can’t sleep on anybody in boxing and also established that he definitely belongs among the elite featherweights in boxing. His next bout with In Jin Chi should be interesting.
Future Star
I have seen the next star in boxing and if you haven’t heard of this guy, mark his name down. Joel Julio and his undefeated record of 24-0. This guy is a talent, with speed, power, patience, and charisma. Julio is trained by James ‘Buddy’ McGirt and I guarantee you will be hearing about him in the coming years.
Also in other undercard action scoring wins were local Chicago favorites, David Diaz, David Pareja, and Kendall Gill. Overall it was great night at the fights. Hats off to Main Events for putting together and excellent fight card.
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