By Liam Fitzgerald: Last Saturday Humberto Soto won the WBC Lightweight belt with a unanimous decision over ex-champion David Diaz. The belt had only weeks ago been defended by the Venezuelan Edwin Valero who then decided to vacate it in order to move up in weight.

Now, Soto has a defence lined up on the under card of the Yuri Foreman-Miguel Cotto fight on the 5th June against the unbeaten Anthony Peterson. Provided he got through the fight as the champion still, I couldn’t think of a better match up than against the man who actually vacated it in the first place. It is understandable why Valero would want to move up towards the 140-147 lbs division since there are many big name, big money fights available there. However, I think that it would be in his best interests to stay at a lightweight for the time being.

It’s looking unlikely that Juan Manuel Marquez will remain a lightweight for his next fight so the biggest name out there is Soto. And the best thing about this potential match up is that the styles would match up perfectly. Soto is a great technician with very good boxing ability who prefers the outside but is not afraid of some work up close. Valero is the complete opposite, the epitome of a brawler who has a leaky defence but pressures opponents very effectively. And don’t forget his immense power, which has seen none of his opponents hear the final bell. Both are world class, have been world champions at both super featherweight and lightweight and would be confident of beating the other. I like Soto’s style but there were signs he was slowing down against Diaz and it would be very difficult for him to last 12 rounds with Valero. I wouldn’t see him having the power to stop the tough Venezuelan and the constant pressure and the way he would cut the ring off means that Valero would probably be able to continue his stoppage record in the fight.

I also think that Valero really should take the fight for a few reasons. In truth, there is not a stand out name on his record and even with all his potential, I don’t think he has earned the right to challenge the Marquez’s and Pacquiao’s as have been mentioned. A win over Soto would be the biggest highlight in his career by far and would really turn him into a star. Soto feels he has been avoided in his career and would likely jump at the chance for this fight. I for one really hope that in the near future it can be arranged as I’m sure it would be one of the fights of the year.