Cesar Soto (left) acknowledges that Naseem Hamed (right here with Soto on the Joe Louis monument in Downtown Detroit in September 1999) was probably the most well-known opponent he fought, however he says “Prince” was on no account the very best. (Picture By Invoice Pugliano/Getty Photographs)
Mexican hardman Cesar Soto turned professional barely into his teenagers, realized on the job and finally claimed a world title on the age of 27. The teak-tough power-puncher was a handful for anybody he fought throughout his 90 bouts unfold throughout a 25-year skilled profession.
Soto, who was tenth of 12 youngsters, was born within the state of Durango on September 17, 1971. His father labored a number of jobs, together with as a ranch hand, whereas his mom taken care of the household.
“We had been a really hardworking household, very humble,” Soto instructed The Ring via Mauricio Gonzalez. “We didn’t have any of the extras, however a really completely satisfied childhood. We didn’t have something, however we didn’t want something. We lived paycheck to paycheck, however I didn’t need to go work [as a child]. We didn’t have something in abundance, however we weren’t lacking a meal, both.”
Nevertheless, hassle was by no means far-off for Soto, even at an early age.
“Ever since I can keep in mind, I used to be preventing – not essentially boxing, however preventing at school, on the streets,” he recalled. “My older brother mentioned, ‘As a substitute of preventing on the streets, come to the fitness center and begin boxing. You by no means know, you would grow to be a boxer.’ I used to be a child that loved to combat.
“Within the mornings earlier than going to highschool, I’d reiterate to my mom to not put together a lunch for me, since I earned it by defending my classmates! I felt like a hero, regardless of my weak look.”
(Picture courtesy of the WBC)
Soto did effectively on the fitness center. He left faculty and started an beginner profession that lasted simply six months and 9 fights, although he did win a regional title in Durango. He turned skilled at 14 years previous, making round $50, in March 1986.
“For the glory of being knowledgeable boxer, for the cash, for the journey, to see the world,” he mentioned of his reasoning for turning skilled so younger. “That’s what pushed me.”
The teenager loved a productive first yr as knowledgeable, registering 12 consecutive wins, all inside the primary 4 rounds. He moved his base of operations to northern Mexico.
“I moved to Juarez once I was 15; I’m adopted to that metropolis like [singer] Juan Gabriel,” he mentioned. “I used to be simply an adolescent, who out of curiosity went there and preferred it and stayed there.”
A tough patch in Soto’s early profession quickly adopted, nevertheless. His first loss got here in July 1987, one other in 1989, and within the following two years he would lose twice to future world titleholder Victor Rabanales (SD 10/UD 10), which bookended wins over seasoned veterans Armando Castro (UD 10) and Willy Salazar (UD 10).
“These fights undoubtedly matured me and made me loads stronger,” he mentioned of the 2 defeats in opposition to Rabanales. “I realized loads from them.”
Whereas nonetheless a young person, he was chosen to face the extra skilled Duke McKenzie for the WBO bantamweight title in London, England, in September 1991.
“Preparation was nice and it was an incredible expertise,” mentioned Soto, who dropped a hard-fought 12-round unanimous resolution. “To go to a first-class nation like England, a gorgeous expertise and I cherished it.
Soto vs. Luisito Espinosa. (Picture courtesy of the WBC)
“The one unhealthy expertise was the consequence. Everyone noticed me the winner and I hit him with every thing. It was undoubtedly freeway theft; folks noticed it. The choice was unhealthy. It was a tough expertise.”
It proved to be one other step in Soto’s schooling, and he bounced again strongly with 14 wins, initially up at junior featherweight after which featherweight, capturing nationwide titles in each weight lessons. He additionally gained bragging rights with victories over beforehand unbeaten future light-weight titlist Jose Luis Castillo (TKO 2) and former two-weight world champion Louie Espinoza (PTS 12).
“I matured and skilled even more durable and bought higher,” he mentioned. “Castillo got here in 18-0 and all people anticipated Castillo to win. At that time, he was one of many prime guys sparring [Julio Cesar] Chavez. I used to be in a position to take him out.
“I had these previous experiences that taught me methods to put together mentally, and it was an thrilling one [against Espinoza].”
Soto’s spectacular run got here to an finish when he dropped a spirited 12-round cut up resolution to Alejandro Gonzalez in a WBC featherweight title eliminator in Juarez in August 1994.
“For the glory of being knowledgeable boxer, for the cash, for the journey, to see the world … That’s what pushed me.”
“It was a troublesome combat; Gonzalez boxed effectively,” he mentioned. “I assumed I gained, however he bought to face Kevin Kelley for the title.”
Whereas Soto started his climb again up the mountain to combat for a world championship, the WBC 126-pound title was handed from Kelley to Gonzalez, who in flip misplaced to Manuel Medina, who was overwhelmed by Luisito Espinosa.
Soto was rewarded with a shot at Espinosa however needed to enterprise to the Philippines in July 1996 to get it.
“It was an incredible expertise however a troublesome one,” mentioned Soto, who dropped a hard-fought 12-round unanimous resolution. “Within the Philippines, every thing was geared towards him successful. The president got here and it was a giant deal there. I felt I placed on an incredible efficiency.”
Unperturbed, the persistent “Cobrita” labored his manner again with 10 wins over the subsequent three years and was in a position to face Espinosa in a rematch, this time in El Paso, Texas.
“In Manila, he ran and saved going backwards, however in Texas, he truly got here to combat,” mentioned Soto, who would seize the WBC belt with a unanimous resolution win. “It was wonderful. I celebrated with associates, household and a journalist good friend. We traveled 40 miles throughout the border [back to Juarez] to have fun.”
Later that yr, Soto was provided the chance to face featherweight money cow Naseem Hamed in a unification.
“I had an incredible coaching camp,” mentioned Soto, who misplaced an unpleasant, foul-filled 12-round encounter. “As soon as we bought to Detroit, I noticed plenty of humorous enterprise happening to the purpose the place Hamed weighed in on his personal scale. He made a giant deal they usually mentioned, ‘No, you may’t weigh by yourself scale.’ In the long run, they conceded and let him weigh in on the scales he introduced. He didn’t weigh on the official scale all people weighed in.
“The opposite factor that was humorous to me, Arthur Mercante was going to be the referee and Hamed instructed them, ‘If he’s going to ref, I’m not going to step within the ring.’ They’d a last-minute change of official. Had we had a ref who wasn’t designated by him, I believe he would have been disqualified for a few of these clown issues he was doing.
“Hamed was a well-known fighter, however preventing with him was simply horrible. It was only a soiled combat. He wasn’t there to combat. All he did was run and run and be a clown present. I don’t need to take something away from Naseem Hamed, however once I fought him, he was a coward. He didn’t come ahead. I don’t need to take away that he was a world champion, and I respect him as a result of that is boxing, not one thing simple.”
When Soto reemerged eight months later, he made the shocking resolution to drop to junior featherweight, the place he met future two-division titlist Oscar Larios in a WBC title eliminator.
(Picture courtesy of the WBC)
“It’s one of many stupidest issues I ever did, going again and dropping weight lessons,” admitted Soto, who misplaced a 12-round unanimous resolution.
After returning to 126 kilos with a draw, the often sturdy Soto was surprisingly halted in three rounds by Johnny Tapia, who regardless of successful world titles in three weight lessons wasn’t often called a puncher.
“It was a kind of fights – I misplaced my practice of thought for a second, and he caught me,” Soto mentioned. “There’s nothing extra to that one.”
That was the start of Soto slipping from the world stage, the primary of seven consecutive defeats in opposition to strong opposition. Whereas he was in a position to get again within the win column, he was by no means in a position to attain world stage once more and retired with a file of (63-24-3, 43 knockouts) in 2011.
Since retiring, Soto has hung out working with native youngsters, hoping to find future fighters.
“Cash can come and go, however they will by no means take away that I used to be world champion. That lasts without end,” he mentioned proudly.
Soto, now 52, is divorced however lives together with his present associate, with whom he had a baby. He additionally has three youngsters from his first marriage. He lives in Juarez and continues to be his metropolis’s solely world champion, however he frequently returns to go to his household in Palacio Gomez.
He graciously took time to talk to The Ring about the very best he fought in 10 key classes.
BEST JAB
Luisito Espinosa: “Certainly, it was an advanced jab, as a result of I assumed he was going to throw a hook and the jab would come out of nowhere. It was a really powerful jab to decipher.”
BEST DEFENSE
Espinosa: “He had a really excessive guard and a troublesome guard to crack.”
FASTEST HANDS
Alejandro Gonzalez: “Once I first began boxing, I fought plenty of guys with hand pace. However so far as a recognized fighter, I’d say Alejandro Gonzalez. He would throw punches from all angles.”
BEST FOOTWORK
Gonzalez: “I fought plenty of fighters who had good motion and typically had points with fighters with lateral motion. I’ve a troublesome time answering that one. Naseem Hamed was recognized for his footwork, however he didn’t impress me. Gonzalez moved round loads and had good ft.”
CHIN
Victor Rabanales: “I used to be like, ‘Rattling! This man’s not taking place.’ And I used to be hitting him with every thing. I hit him with every thing and the kitchen sink, and he wouldn’t go down.”
SMARTEST
Gonzalez: “He was sensible as a result of he knew to maneuver and field and never commerce.”
STRONGEST
Louie Espinoza: “He was very sturdy; he was the strongest fighter I confronted.”
BEST PUNCHER
Espinoza: “He stunned me a bit. Within the fourth spherical, he bought me with a shot that had me out on my ft. I used to be out for a few seconds, which is an eternity in boxing. I don’t consider Espinoza even discovered I used to be damage that unhealthy. If he knew, he would have knocked me out. Hamed was recognized to be a tough puncher and I wouldn’t take that away from him, however in my combat with him I by no means bought damage. I didn’t really feel it.”
BEST BOXING SKILLS
Jose Luis Castillo: “I do know I took him out early. Technically, even in these couple of rounds he was the very best fighter I confronted.”
BEST OVERALL
Louie Espinoza: Castillo was good, however that got here after we fought. Hamed achieved loads and you may’t take that from him, however he didn’t impress me. He ran and will have been disqualified. Tapia was good; he simply caught me with an excellent punch. Espinoza from Arizona was powerful; we stood and traded all evening. That was one in every of my hardest fights. I’d give it to him.
Learn extra from the “BEST I FACED” collection.
Mauricio Gonzalez helped translate this function. The Ring appreciates his help.
Questions and/or feedback might be despatched to Anson at [email protected].
