NEW YORK (Nov. 13, 2007) – After nearly one year of inactivity, WBO junior lightweight champion Joan Guzman (27-0, 17 KOs) makes his highly anticipated return to the ring when he battles Humberto Soto (43-5-2, 27 KOs) on Saturday, Nov. 17 at the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City, N.J. on HBO “Boxing After Dark” at 9:45 p.m. ET/PT..
The 12-round championship bout is for Guzman’s WBO junior lightweight title.
The fight is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Sycuan Ringside Promotions and Top Rank.
“I can’t wait to get back in the ring and throw some punches,” said Guzman, who has a new trainer in his corner in Floyd Mayweather, Sr. “I am ready to get in there and show off my skills.”
Guzman is especially anxious for his fight against Soto since he hasn’t fought since Dec. 2006 when he scored a 12-round unanimous decision win against Antonio Davis in Guzman’s hometown of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
Earlier this year, Guzman was moving up in weight to fight Australian Michael Katsidis for the WBO lightweight interim title on May 26 in Anaheim, Calif. He was forced out of the contest due to an injury he suffered to his left hand during training just weeks prior to the fight.
The aforementioned injury explains why Guzman has been inactive for nearly one year.
“Guzman is ready to fight,” said Jose Nunez, Guzman’s long time manager. “He has that look in his eyes that you only get when you have been out of action for nearly a year. He is healthy and hungry to defend his title.”
Guzman, who is considered by many boxing experts to be one of the best at 130 pounds, is pleased that his preparations leading up to this fight were injury free.
“This fight took a long time to work its way through because of the setback from the Katsidis fight,” said Guzman, who is co-promoted by Sycuan Ringside Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions.
“Soto will present a tough challenge, but I am confident in my abilities. I’ve learned a lot under Mayweather, Sr. He’s made me into a more complete fighter.”
“Guzman is a very special talent,” bragged Mayweather, Sr., who is working with Guzman for the first time. “He has the total package. Power, strength and stamina, but what separates him from the rest is his blinding speed. Soto is going to have a hard time hitting my guy.
“We’ve worked on a number of things that are going to make Guzman an even more dangerous fighter. We can’t disclose our strategy or go into specifics, but you will see a very special fighter on Saturday.”
The final press conference for the Guzman-Soto showdown is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 14 at The Homestead Restaurant in New York City at 11:30 a.m. ET.
About Sycuan Ringside Promotions
Sycuan Ringside Promotions of San Diego is considered to be the fastest-growing and most dynamic promotional entity in the sport. Sycuan Ringside Promotions made its promotional debut during 2004, but already has or had six current or former world champions and has promoted and presented world title bouts across the country on premium cable networks.
Sycuan Ringside Promotions has many notable boxers in its stable, including WBO junior lightweight and undefeated champion Joan Guzman, World Boxing Council super bantamweight champion Israel Vazquez, World Boxing Association super bantamweight champion Celestino Caballero, former International Boxing Federation lightweight champion Julio Diaz, , former WBC welterweight champion Carlos Baldomir, teenage lightweight sensation Jorge Paez Jr. and undefeated cruiserweight prospect Shawn Hawk.