Guzman vs. Soto is on for Nov.17

The detente between Golden Boy and Top Rank will continue to yield significant fights when junior lightweight titlist Joan Guzman (27-0, 17 KOs) of the Dominican Republic defends against Mexico's Humberto Soto (42-5-2, 26 KOs) on Nov. 17 (HBO) at suburban San Diego's Sycuan Resort, home of Guzman co-promoter Sycuan Ringside Promotions.

It's a topflight match between two of the best in a loaded division that also includes Juan Manuel Marquez, Pacquiao and Barrera.

Guzman is a former junior featherweight titleholder. Soto is undefeated since 2002, a stretch during which he is 19-0 with a no contest.

Golden Boy is so excited about the matchup that it combined two of its fall "Boxing After Dark" dates into one so HBO could afford the fight, according to Schaefer.

"We needed to have HBO step up a bit and I had to combine a couple of my dates," he said. "I did that because it is an amazing matchup. Oscar is really committed to putting together the biggest and best fights, and this is another example. Instead of having two 'Boxing After Dark' cards with two good fights, we'd rather do one great fight. I don't know who is going to win that fight and that is why fans want to see it."

Arum said he is enjoying doing business with Schaefer now that the legal battles between companies are settled.

"Richard is the easiest guy to do business with of all the promoters because he's a businessman and I'm a businessman," Arum said. "We talk in shorthand and we don't have to go through all the crap you have to do with other promoters."

HBO has agreed to give Golden Boy a second live fight on the broadcast, which will probably involve hot prospect Abner Mares (13-0, 8 KOs), a 2004 Mexican Olympian. Mares, 22, has moved down to bantamweight from junior featherweight and recently hooked up with star trainer Nacho Beristain.

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