SPOTLIGHT ON HUMBERTO SOTO VS. LUCAS MATTHYSSE

Press Release: Showtime Championship Boxing's next show will feature Victor Ortiz against Josesito Lopez, with a co-feature matching former titlist Humberto Soto against Lucas Matthysse in a 140-pound bout. The Showtime broadcast will be a triple header because a heavyweight bout between Chris Arreola and Mike Mollo has been added to open up the telecast. Tickets for the Los Angeles card are available online at www.staplescenter.com.

The co-feature  will see Soto (58-7-2), who has won WBC belts in multiple weight classes battle Matthysse (30-2 with 28 KOs). Matthysse is an Argentinean knockout artist whose two losses (Zab Judah and Devon Alexander) both came by split decisions.  Here is what Soto and Matthysse had to say about their coming twelve-round bout during a conference call on Wednesday:

HUMBERTO SOTO:

"There is no doubt Lucas is a strong opponent and a strong fighter. He comes forward and always looks for a fight. The difference in this fight is the experience. I have a lot of experience, and that's what's going to lead me to victory.

"Matthysse is a good fighter. He's going to stay in there and he's a smart fighter.
We're going to go toe-to-toe."

LUCAS MATTHYSSE:

"We are here in Argentina finishing preparations and putting the final touches on. We are just very excited, happy and ready to go."

Do you think Soto will stand and fight in front of you instead of backing up as you perceived was the case in your only losses to southpaws Zab Judah and Devon Alexander?

"Yes, those were both very difficult fights to have to adjust to them and change  the way I fight. I know I won both those fights. Deep in my heart, I know it. It did hurt me, but we've got to come back stronger and I know we are ready for bigger and better things. With Humberto, we all know he's going to come to fight. He wants to come to battle and that makes me very happy because we are ready to give him a war."