By Dan Ambrose: Former WBC lightweight champion Humberto Soto (58-7-2, 34 KO’s) hasn’t had to do much to get ranked high at 140 since moving up to light welterweight in September of last year.

The 32-year-old Soto has faced three smaller light welterweights that are not really a good test for what he’ll be facing on Saturday night against Lucas Mattysse (30-2, 28 KO’s) at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.

Indeed, Soto really hasn’t faced anyone during his career that will prepare him for the Matthysse fight, because he’s so much more skilled and powerful than the guys that Soto has been facing during his 15-year pro career. This could turn out badly for Soto, because he has problems with boxer/punchers and the 29-year-old Matthysse is one of the better ones.

Soto struggled badly against Urbano Antillon, winning a close 12 round decision in December of 2010. That happens to be the last time that Soto really fought anyone good, and he seemed hesitant to face Antillon in a rematch. The fight didn’t get made and Soto has been facing soft opposition ever since.

Going from the weak opponents that Soto has been facing the last two years to a fight against Matthysse is going to be a shock for Soto, because he’s going to be facing a fighter that’s not only bigger than him, but also stronger and younger. Matthysse will have almost every advantage in the fight this Saturday except for perhaps in the skill department.

Matthysse is a very skilled fighter, so I’m not even sure if Soto will have an advantage in that area as well. One thing is for sure, Soto is going to have to be ready to go to war with Matthysse for 12 rounds because he’s not going to be able to run from him. I don’t know that Soto’s normal busy style of fighting will save him int his fight. It could lead to him taking some terrible punishment and getting knocked out by Mattysse.