STEEL CITY RUMBLE PRESENTS: 5 MINUTES WITH ADAM SOTO

Colorado Fight League Newsletter (STEEL CITY RUMBLE PRESENTS: 5 MINUTES WITH ADAM SOTO

by Gabe Charboneau on Thursday, April 21, 2011 at 11:00am

Adam Soto

Defeat is a part of any athlete's game. Simply put, someone will always lose. Avondale's Son, Adam Soto is not letting this stop him from his victory!

ON MOVING UP TO THE 170 LB DIVISION

Any wrestler or fighter could tell you that one of the toughest pieces of any fight preparation is cutting weight. “This makes it easier for me, I can still eat,” Soto says. Cutting down to 170 from his normal weight of 185, is healthier to Soto saying, “ My frame is a better fit at 170.” Soto knows however, that since he is at a heavier weight class, his opponents may be harder. He isn't worried about this though stating, “Yeah, it may be harder, but my strength is better at 170... It won't be a problem.”

ON HIS BIG LOSS IN PUEBLO

No one ever wants to lose. Competition has been engrained in us for many years, so when we lose it takes a toll. Soto doesn't beat himself up over the loss, “It was a let down for my fans, I trained so hard just to get knocked out.” But that fight served as a learning tool for Soto, it made him train harder and he says it made it more alert, most importantly, “I learned to keep my hands up!”

For some having a fight end so quickly would shake their confidence, not Soto. These things happen often and his take is, “It's the name of the game, it could have easily been him, he just landed the contact first.”



REDEMPTION AT JACKSONS?

After his big loss, Soto had a fight in Albuquerque, NM on the Jackson's Card at the Hard Rock Cafe. For Soto, it wasn't a moment of redemption, it was like any other fight, just more of a confidence builder. “It felt good to fight that caliber of athlete at the #1 gym in the nation...Fighting in front of Clay Guida and Diego Sanchez and then winning in their camp, it was great!” Soto says with a smile.

ON WHAT HE EXPECTS GOING INTO THIS FIGHT

The opponent Soto is fighting on Steel City Rumble 7 Mike Zaragosa was nominated for the CFL KO of The Year last year, despite having lost against Adam once before in their amateur debut. When asked what he expected from the KO of The Year nominee, Soto responded with a chuckle, “Well I hope he doesn't get another one.” All jokes aside, Soto feels ready for this fight saying, “I'm taller than him and have a greater wingspan, I won't let him close.” He's trained hard for this fight has certainly improved since our debut and he will give it his all!


TRAINING

Soto trains and fights out of Pacific Warrior’s Animal House Gym under he guidance of veteran trainer Gabe “Kuya” Charboneau along with decorated grappler’s Keith Wilson and Tori Adams at Roughhouse in Colorado Springs where Charboneau also teaches 2 days a week. “Soto loves it saying, “They have great athletes, Strike Force Veterans, the top grappling instruction the nation, combine that with all the stuff Gabe teaches and you have a great camp, I am surrounded every day by great pro fighters.”

SO, WHAT'S NEXT?

Soto has a fight to prepare for June 4, “I would like to take it fight by fight and see what happens.” Keeping your eyes on the prize is something that many throw by the wayside. Even though he is playing it by ear, Soto has a goal, “Hopefully I'll have a few more amateur fights and then, I want to go pro.” Determination and endurance and things that make a great fighter, along with footwork of course, look for Soto at Steel City Rumble 7, April 24, 2011.
By CFL Contributor Liz Solano
STEEL CITY RUMBLE FEATURE