Humberto "Zorrita" Soto (45-7-2, 29 KO?s) won the WBC super featherweight interim title when Gamaliel "Platano" Diaz (23-8-2, 10 KO?s) failed to come out for the eleventh round in their interim title fight in Mexico City, Sunday morning Manila Time.
The interim title fight was ordered by the WBC after it withdrew its recognition of Filipino ring idol Manny Pacquiao as the 130 pound champion. However, WBC president Jose Sulaiman told www.insidesports.ph that they would continue to recognize Pacquiao as the lightweight champion since he won the title with a 9th round demolition of David Diaz. Sulaiman disclosed prior to the Soto-Diaz fight that the WBC will decide at its annual convention in Guangzhou, China ?who is going to be the challenger to Soto.?
The interim title fight also came about after a hugely controversial ending in Soto?s last fight which was for the interim title when the Mexican was disqualified by referee Joe Cortez in his clash with Francisco Lorenzo. But after polling the board of governors the WBC chose not to award the title to Lorenzo due to the botched-up ending and ordered an interim title fight between Soto and Diaz.
In the interim title fight which took place at the Coliseo Centenario in Mexico, Soto was awarded a tenth round TKO by referee Laurence Coleo after Soto decked Diaz as early as the opening round and after Diaz was deducted two points for continuous holding by referee Cole in round ten Diaz' corner decided not to send him out for round eleven.
It was a disappointing ending and fight fans were clearly unhappy. It was the second fight in a row for the interim title involving Soto which ended in some sort of controversy.
Top photo: Humberto Soto (R) puts the pressure on Gamaliel Diaz during their bout in Mexico City Saturday.
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