02/05/07

FOR RELEASE: IMMEDIATE
CONTACT: TAMARA CRONIN
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC RELATIONS
304-387-8335 (OFFICE) 304-479-8097 (CELL)

CHESTER, WV – The World Boxing Council Continental Super Featherweight Title will be on the line February 22 at the THE HARV at Mountaineer Casino Racetrack and Resort when Number 2-ranked Humberto Soto takes on Number 7-ranked Humberto Toledo.  The card, promoted by Bob Arum’s Top Rank, Inc., will also feature an undercard with familiar names to boxing fans worldwide, plus the very best of area’s local talent.  The card will be televised live on the VERSUS television network.

The 26-year-old Humberto Soto sports a very impressive 40-5-2 record with 24 of his wins not going the distance. The Tijuana, Mexico native has won 18 straight bouts since he lost a highly disputed majority decision to two time World Champion Kevin Kelly. Soto has fought the best in the world since then and has a highly respected resume of wins. His biggest win may be the decision win over previously unbeaten and former Olympian Rocky Juarez. The 23-0 Juarez came into the bout the favorite, but was handed a unanimous 12-round loss even though Soto was penalized two points for illegal blows. Just as impressive is the quality of Soto's other victims. He has knockout wins over Oscar Leon (27-4), Wilson Alcorro (33-5-3), Ivan Valle (25-4-1), and Cesar Figueroa (24-1-2). He also pitched a near shutout in beating Luis Fuente (24-2-1).

Soto will have tough competition on February 22 when he faces Humberto "Bam Baby" Toledo of the Republic of Ecuador. Toledo started his career slowly and was 2-2-2 in his first six bouts. Since then Toledo has 28 straight wins since his last defeat in 2001. He currently has a 30-2-2 record with 18 big knockouts. "Bam Baby" has stopped his last six opponents. If styles make fights, this title contest could be one for the ages, for neither Soto or Toledo are known for taking a backward step. The winner of this contest should surely be in line for a World Championship shot.

The co-feature will pit the enormously popular "Baby" Joe Mesi of Buffalo, New York against George "The Terminator" Linberger. Mesi sports a 33-0 record with 26 big knockouts. Just a few years ago, "Baby" Joe was on a fast track to the Heavyweight Championship of the World. He knockout wins over Gary Winmon (25-2), Joey Guy (27-4), Jorge Luis Gonzales (31-6), Keith McKnight (41-3), David Izon (27-4), Robert Davis (28-5), and a first-round knockout of DaVarryl Williamson (18-1). After decision wins over Monte Barrett (29-2) and Vassiliy Jirov (33-1), Mesi was the number one heavyweight contender in the world. He lost his status as a top contender after a two-year layoff due to health issues. Since then Mesi has been cleared to compete by some of the elite physicians in the United States, and has four wins since his March 2006 comeback.

George Linberger will bring an also impressive record of 29-5-1 with 25 knockouts. The Akron, Ohio native will have the height and weight advantage with his 6'3" 250-pound frame, compared to Mesi's 6'1" 230 pounds. Linberger is coming off a decision win over hugely popular celebrity Eric "Butterbean" Esch.

In what would be a main event on most other shows, unbeaten heavyweight Devon Vargas (11-0, 5 KO's) will take a giant step in opposition when he battles "Dangerous Jim Northey (11-2 8KOs) in a six-round bout.

Vargas, from Toledo, Ohio, was the 2004 representative for the U.S.A. Olympic team as the heavyweight Northey, from Brookville, PA, recently won the vacant NABC Heavyweight Title with a second-round stoppage of Nicolai Firtha (9-1-1).

Verquan "The Show" Kimbrough (16-1-1, 7 KOS) of Aliquippa, PA will be in a battle with Shad "Crazy Train" Howard (12-9-3, 6 KOS) of Jefferson City, Missouri in a six-round contest. Kimbrough is coming off an eight-round decision win over two-time World Champion Bernard Harris. Rounding out the card will be IBA World Super Featherweight Champion Monty Meza Clay (22-1, 15 KOS) against a yet-to-be-determined opponent.

The card gets underway at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are Platinum-$150, Gold - $100, Reserved - $50 and General Admission $25 and are available through all Ticketmaster locations or on site at the Downtown Speakeasy Frequent Players Club.

TO OBTAIN PRESS CREDENTIALS
CONTACT: TAMARA CRONIN
304-387-8335(OFFICE)
304-387-8308(FAX)