Joan Guzman vs Humberto Soto

Nearly eleven months out of the ring did not prevent the defending champion from ending Humberto Soto’s five year unbeaten run. Joan Guzman retained his WBO super featherweight title by unanimous decision over twelve rounds at the Borgata Hotel Casino in Atlantic City on November 17, 2007. His quicker hands, defensive movement and accurate counterpunching overcame a challenger who pressed throughout but could not consistently turn that pressure into clean scoring. Guzman was making his second defence, with Harvey Dock refereeing. The contest was televised on HBO’s Boxing After Dark and promoted by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Sycuan Ringside Promotions and Top Rank.

Guzman entered with 27 wins, 0 losses, 0 draws, 17 by knockout. He had taken the championship from Jorge Barrios in September 2006 and defended against Antonio Davis that December, but had not fought since. Soto brought 43 wins, 5 losses, 2 draws, 27 by knockout. His victory over the previously unbeaten Rocky Juarez in August 2005 had established him among the division’s leading contenders, and six subsequent stoppage victories made him a substantial test. Guzman weighed 129½ pounds and Soto the division limit of 130. Their contrasting methods were evident immediately: Soto sought sustained exchanges, while Guzman preferred to draw an attack, answer quickly and change position.

Soto advanced behind his jab in the opening round and twice forced Guzman towards a corner. The champion found room to escape and answered with single punches, including shots downstairs. In the second, they exchanged more freely, with Soto landing an uppercut and right hand while Guzman replied with counters and combinations to head and body. A clash of heads interrupted the third. Soto subsequently connected with a right as Guzman attempted a left hook, knocking the champion off balance. Later in the round, a low blow from Guzman brought Soto down, and Dock allowed him recovery time before continuing. The challenger’s pressure was already producing swelling beneath Guzman’s eyes.

The fourth and fifth illustrated the difficulty Soto faced. He worked at Guzman’s body along the ropes, but the champion blocked much of the attack and found opportunities for sharp replies. Guzman landed a straight right in the fourth and, in the fifth, delivered three successive left hooks while countering. Dock warned Soto about the height of his body punches in both rounds, interrupting the challenger’s work and drawing his frustration. Soto remained busy, but Guzman’s ability to defend without immediately retreating allowed him to answer from positions where the challenger expected to hold an advantage.

Guzman boxed effectively in the sixth, scoring with a counter right and a three-punch combination while continuing to frustrate Soto against the ropes. The seventh gave the challenger more opportunities as Guzman’s output fell, although both men received further warnings for low punches. In the eighth, Guzman’s movement again made Soto pursue him. The champion finished the round with a combination, a right to the body and another right near the bell. His swelling remained visible, but it had not prevented him from judging the distance or responding quickly when Soto came forward.

Both men went to the canvas after becoming entangled in the ninth, and Dock ruled each fall a slip. There were no scoring knockdowns. Guzman increasingly used the open ring during the closing rounds, landing brief combinations and moving before Soto could reply. Soto continued following, but his attacks became less sustained. Guzman’s confidence also led him to spend time shuffling and gesturing rather than punching. His movement drew boos late in the contest, particularly in the twelfth, when he crossed the ring to avoid an exchange and signalled victory before the bell. Soto maintained his pursuit and finished with a flurry.

The judges were unanimous. Eugenia Williams and Lynne Carter each scored 117-111, while Don Trella returned 118-110, all for Guzman. The Associated Press saw a closer contest and scored it 114-114, reflecting the difference between Soto’s persistent aggression and the champion’s cleaner, less frequent replies. Soto disputed the decision, while Guzman maintained that his speed had disrupted the challenger’s plan. The victory advanced Guzman to 28 wins, 0 losses, 0 draws, 17 by knockout; Soto finished with 43 wins, 6 losses, 2 draws, 27 by knockout. Guzman retained his championship and afterwards called for a meeting with Manny Pacquiao.

I thought Guzman deserved this, but the late showboating did him no favours. He’d beaten Jorge Barrios for the belt; Soto had upset Rocky Juarez and followed that with six stoppage wins. That contrast made this attractive: speed and defensive craft against a strong, persistent puncher.

What impressed me was Guzman’s composure on the ropes. Soto got him there often enough, but trapping a man means little if your punches meet elbows and gloves. Guzman blocked, slipped and answered with quick combinations before changing position. Soto needed to cut off his exits more consistently; instead, he increasingly followed him. Still, those swollen eyes showed Guzman hadn’t escaped untouched.

I’d have liked Guzman to finish working rather than celebrating. He gave rounds away unnecessarily, but his cleaner counters earned the unanimous decision. Soto’s engine deserved respect; Guzman’s timing made the difference.