Jessie Vargas stopped former three division world champion Humberto Soto in the sixth round of an exciting bout.

The win was Vargas’s first since December of 2017 after drawing against Adrien Broner and Thomas Dulorme in 2018.

Soto was coming off a unanimous decision victory over Brandon Rios on Feb. 23 in Tijuana, Mexico.

The fight produced several fierce exchanges from the opening bell, but an accidental clash of heads brought a pause to the action as a cut opened over the left eye of Vargas.

Soto showed his good technique during the fight but Vargas found success landing good punches to Zorrita’s head.

Vargas, who is now working with Freddie Roach, dropped Soto one minute into the sixth round. Soto beat the count and fought back.

Moments later,  Vargas trapped Soto in a corner and let his hands go, stunning Soto again. Referee Thomas Taylor stopped  the bout at 1:48.

WBC Press Release

Round by Round at ringside:

Jessie Vargas vs Humberto Soto:

Both come in prepared at 150.4lbs:

Soto dressed in beautiful black and gold gets ready to battle in his 22nd year as a professional. Vargas wearing white and gold, only 29 years old still has many years to go in his already great career.

Round 1. Wow, Soto comes out ready to brawl. Soto is in for a tall order against the young powerful Vargas. Soto landing his left well and a big combination to close the round- Wow.

Round 2. Early head butt opens cut on both guys. Vargas getting the worst of it with a deep cut on his left eye. Another exciting round as Soto is fighting each minute like it’s his last.

Round 3. Why are the Broadcasters talking about who Jessie Vargas’s next opponent would be when we are witnessing a classic off to legends in the ring right now?  Why are these guys putting the cart before the horse?

Excellent round for both fighters, Vargas doing some good body work against the soft body of Soto.

Round 4. Wow, what a round. Soto taking Vargas’s Punches, walking thru them to land his own. What a warrior. I still like the younger Vargas in this fight, but Soto is taking Vargas to school right now.

Round 5. Better round for Vargas, these two are really going at it. Soto is putting on a heck of a performance.

Round 6. Vargas hurts Soto with a body shot that went unnoticed. Ten seconds later, Vargas lands a hard right to the already paralyzed Soto that sends Soto to the canvas. Soto beats the count but is in trouble. Soto taking lots of punishment and his older softer body can’t take it anymore as the Ref stops the fight.

Great Great Fight. Congratulations to Vargas on the Win and Congratulations to Soto on a tremendous 22 year career.

Photos by Ed Mulholland / Matchroom Boxing