Cesar Soto (left) admits that Naseem Hamed (here with Soto at the Joe Louis memorial in Downtown Detroit in September 1999) was the most famous opponent he fought, but says “The Prince” was by no means the best. (Photo by Bill Pugliano/Getty Images)
Mexican strongman Cesar Soto transformed into a teenager, learned on the job and finally took the world title at the age of 27. This teak-tough power puncher was a handful for anyone he fought during his 90-hit spread over a 25-year career.
Soto, 10 of 12 children, was born in Durango state on September 17, 1971. His father worked several jobs, including farming, while his mother took care of the family.
“We were a hard-working, very humble family,” Soto told The Ring about Mauricio Gonzalez. “We didn’t have anything extra, but a very happy friendship. We had nothing, but we didn’t need anything. We lived paycheck to paycheck, but I didn’t have to go to work [as a child]. We didn’t have much, but we couldn’t miss food either.”
However, problems were never far from Soto, even at a young age.
“Ever since I can remember, I was fighting – not boxing, but fighting in school, in the streets,” he recalled. “My older brother said, ‘Instead of fighting in the streets, come to the gym and start boxing. You never know, you might become a boxer.’ I was a child who liked to fight.
“In the morning before going to school, I told my mother not to prepare lunch for me, because I got it for protecting my classmates! I felt like a hero, despite my weak appearance.”
(Photo courtesy of WBC)
Soto did well in the gym. He dropped out of school and began a novice career that lasted six months and nine fights, although he won a state title in Durango. He turned pro at the age of 14, making around $50, in March 1986.
“To get the glory of being a professional boxer, the money, the travel, to see the world,” he said of his reason for becoming a professional boxer. “That’s what pushed me.
The youngster enjoyed a successful first year as a professional, registering 12 consecutive victories, all within the first four rounds. He moved his base of operations to northern Mexico.
“I moved to Juarez when I was 15; I am taken from that village [singer] Juan Gabriel,” he said. “I was young, and out of curiosity I went there and I loved it and stayed there.”
However, a bad episode followed in Soto’s early career. His first loss came in July 1987, another in 1989, and in the next two years he would lose twice to future world champion Victor Rabanales (SD 10/UD 10), who defeated veterans Armando Castro (UD 10) and Willy. Salazar (UD 10).
“Those fights really matured me and made me a lot stronger,” he said of his two losses to Rabanales. “I learned a lot from them.”
As a teenager, he was selected to face the experienced Duke McKenzie for the WBO bantamweight title in London, England, in September 1991.
“The preparation was good and it was a great experience,” said Soto, who dropped a 12-round unanimous decision. “Going to a high level country like England is a good thing and I liked it.
Soto vs. Luisito Espinosa. (Photo courtesy of WBC)
“Only a bad situation was the result. Everyone saw me victorious and I beat him with everything. It was definitely a highway robbery; people see you. The decision was bad. It was a painful experience.”
It was another step in Soto’s education, and he came back strong winning 14 times, first moving up to junior featherweight and then featherweight, taking national titles in both weight categories. He also earned bragging rights with wins over then-undefeated lightweight Jose Luis Castillo (TKO 2) and former two-weight world champion Louie Espinoza (PTS 12).
“I matured and trained more and better,” he said. “Castillo came in 18-0 and everyone expected Castillo to win. At the time, he was one of the top guys in sparring [Julio Cesar] Chavez. I managed to get him out.
“I had those past experiences that taught me to prepare mentally, and it was fun [against Espinoza].”
Soto’s incredible run came to an end when he dropped a thrilling 12-round split decision to Alejandro Gonzalez to win the WBC featherweight title in Juarez in August 1994.
“For the glory of being a professional boxer, for the money, for traveling, for seeing the world… That’s what pushed me.”
“It was a tough fight; Gonzalez punched well,” he said. “I thought I won, but he was able to take on Kevin Kelley to win the title.”
As Soto began his climb to the world championship, the WBC 126-pound title was passed from Kelley to Gonzalez, who also lost to Manuel Medina, who was defeated by Luisito Espinosa.
Soto was awarded a shot at Espinosa but had to travel to the Philippines in July 1996 to get it.
“It was a good experience but a tough one,” said Soto, who dropped a 12-round unanimous decision. “In the Philippines, everything was meant for him to win. The president came and it was a big deal there. I felt I did a great job.”
Undeterred, the persistent “Cobrita” bounced back with 10 wins over the next three years and was able to face Espinosa in a rematch, this time in El Paso, Texas.
“In Manila, he ran backwards, but in Texas, he came to fight,” said Soto, who would snatch the WBC belt by winning a unanimous decision. “It was amazing. I celebrated with friends, family and a journalist friend. We walked 40 kilometers across the border [back to Juarez] to enjoy.”
Later that year, Soto was given the opportunity to face featherweight cash cow Naseem Hamed in the unification.
“I’ve had a good training camp,” said Soto, who lost in a grueling, 12-round bout. “When we got to Detroit, I saw so many funny businesses going on that Hamed weighed himself on his scale. You do something big and they say, ‘No, you can’t measure on your scale.’ Finally, they agreed and allowed him to measure on the scale he came with. He did not weigh on the official scale everyone who was weighed.
“One thing that made me laugh, Arthur Mercante was going to be the referee and Hamed told them, ‘If he’s going to play, I’m not going to get in the ring.’ They changed the officer at the last minute. If we had a lawyer who wasn’t appointed by him, I think he would be unfit for some of the things he does.
“Hamed was a famous fighter, but fighting him was bad. It was just a dirty fight. He was not there to fight. All he did was run and run and be a comedy show. I don’t want to take anything away from Naseem Hamed, but when I fought him he was a coward. He never came before. I don’t want to take away from you that he was a world champion, and I respect him because this is boxing, it’s not an easy thing.”
When Soto re-emerged eight months later, he made a surprise decision to drop down to junior featherweight, where he faced Oscar Larios for the upcoming two-division WBC championship.
(Photo courtesy of WBC)
“It’s one of the dumbest things I’ve ever done, to go back and drop in weight,” admitted Soto, who lost a 12-round unanimous decision.
After returning to the 126-pound draw, the long-serving Soto was surprisingly stopped in three rounds by Johnny Tapia, who despite winning world titles in three weight divisions was not known as a puncher.
“It was one of those fights – I lost my mind for a second, and he caught me,” Soto said. “There’s nothing more to that.”
That was the start of Soto’s slide on the world stage, the first of seven straight losses against a strong team. Although he was able to get back into the win column, he was never able to reach the world level again and retired with a record (63-24-3, 43 knockouts) in 2011.
Since his retirement, Soto has spent time working with local children, hoping to find future fighters.
“Money comes and goes, but it can’t take away from me being a world champion. That lasts forever,” he said proudly.
Soto, now 52, is divorced but lives with his partner now, with whom he has a child. He also has three children from his first marriage. He lives in Juarez and is still the only world champion of his city, but he returns regularly to visit his family in Palacio Gomez.
He graciously took the time to speak to The Ring about his best efforts in 10 key areas.
Excellent JAB
Luisito Espinosa: “Without a doubt, it was a complicated jab, because I thought he was going to throw a hook and the jab would just come out. It was a very difficult jab to explain.”
GOOD DEFENSE
Espinosa: “He had a very high guard and a strong guard to break him.”
FAST HANDS
Alejandro Gonzalez: “When I started boxing, I fought a lot of fast guys. But as far as a known fighter, I would say Alejandro Gonzalez. He was throwing punches from every angle.”
GOOD FOOTWORKS
Gonzalez: “I fought a lot of fights that moved well and sometimes I had problems with fighters with movement. I have trouble answering that one. Naseem Hamed was known for his footwork, but he didn’t impress me. Gonzalez moved a lot and had good feet. “
CHIN
Victor Rabanales: “I was like, ‘Damn! This boy is not here.’ And I was beating him with everything. I hit him with everything and the kitchen sink, and he didn’t die.”
SMARTEST
Gonzalez: “He was smart because he knew how to move with boxes and not trade.”
VERY POWERFUL
Louie Espinoza: “He was very strong; he was the strongest fighter I faced.”
GOOD DRIVER
Espinoza: “He surprised me a little. In the fourth round, he caught me with a shot that knocked me off my feet. I’m out for seconds, which is an eternity in boxing. I can’t believe that Espinoza even found out that I was seriously injured. If he had known, he would have taken me out. Hamed was known to be a tough boxer and I wouldn’t take that away from him, but in my fight with him I didn’t get hurt. I didn’t hear.”
GOOD SKILLS IN THE BOX
Jose Luis Castillo: “I know I got him out early. Literally, even in those few rounds he was the best player I faced.”
EVERYTHING IS GOOD
Louie Espinoza: Castillo was great, but that happened after the fight. Hamed achieved a lot and you can’t take that away, but he didn’t impress me. He ran and had to be kicked out. Tapia was right; he just grabbed me with a good fist. Arizona’s Espinoza was tough; we stopped and traded all night. That was one of my hardest fights. I would give it to him.
Read more in the “BEST I FACED” series.
Mauricio Gonzalez helped translate this feature. The Ring appreciates his help.
Questions and/or comments can be sent to Anson at [email protected].
