Friday of next week on Canal+. Battle of the French (by way of Côte D’Ivoire, in Soro's case) light middleweight Brian Castaño victims. Both lost to Castaño in challenges for the WBA super welterweight title, and the organization has minted a 154lb "Gold" belt to serve as the consolation prize over which they are set to scrap. Vitu absorbed hellish punishment from Castaño and showed an incredible chin lasting until round twelve before succumbing to a stoppage in the Argentine's first defense after being promoted to full champ. Soro lost a hard-fought split decision to him right months earlier, when Castaño was still only the interim champion.
I'm tore here, while I rate Soro quite highly and he's probably all around more skilled than Vitu, stylistically, this isn't an easy fight for Michel that plays to his strengths. An upset is quite possible, I can see Vitu outworking him here. Whether he gets the decision is another question altogether. Either way, I see this as a close incredibly hard match for both men, which will end up being a nightmare to score and both men thinking they're done enough to get the nod.
I'm expecting a win for Abou in the 117-111/116-111 range but Vitu will put him through his paces, for sure.