By Michael Taylor: First I’d like to wish you all a happy new year. In the latest news World Boxing Council Light Welterweight champion Devon Alexander now has an opponent for March 6th. That opponent is International Boxing Federation champion Juan Urango. Devon Alexander will be making his first defence of his title after retiring Junior Witter in 8 for the vacant strap. Juan Urango will be making his second defence after winning the vacant title in January last year and defended against Randall Bailey last August; after being floored he came back to stop Bailey in the 11th.

Juan Urango had one defeat in the middle of those defences and that was to WBC Welterweight champion Andre Berto. Andre beat Urango convincingly, and Urango realized that he should stick at Light Welterweight. Juan’s other defeat was to Ricky Hatton 3 years ago, but Urango has never been stopped, but has been down.

Alexander hasn’t really had any tests, only his fight with Junior Witter, but showed there that he is a decent fighter, a win here would prove he can fight with the big boys. If he stops Urango that will send out a huge message, if he loses it will prove he was a one hit wonder, nothing more. Devon knows this can lead to much bigger things, bigger fights, and much more cash.

***
Humberto Soto-David Diaz on March 13th undercard

Former World Boxing Council Super Featherweight champion Humberto Soto takes another step towards a big money fight. This time he gets tough veteran David Diaz, whom two years ago fought Manny Pacquiao, being stopped in the 9th for only his second fight of his career. His other defeat was to Kendall Holt who stopped him in 8. Diaz has fought once since losing to Pacquiao, that was in September where he outpointed another veteran Jesus Chavez in a great war. Just last month Soto also beat Chavez on points but more convincingly. Soto is desperate for a big fight, and a big knockout over Diaz would surely get people listening. It is unlikely he will get a shot at Manny Pacquiao, but the Mexican also has Juan Manuel Marquez in mind. Both fighters can scrap it out and it could be a very good fight indeed.