Alert Top Story Spotlight Newton restaurant to hold watch party in support of Catawba County bare-knuckles fighter jason.koon Oct 15, 2026 Oct 15, 2026 Updated 35 mins ago 0 × Soto will fight for the BKFC lightweight title in Spain in 2024 Prefer us on Google Learn More Facebook Twitter Bluesky WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save Catawba County's Tony "Loco" Soto will fight in front of thousands of fans right across the state line from his hometown of Brooklyn, NY this weekend. kAm$@E@ ?@H =:G6D :? r2E2H32 r@F?EJ 2?5 @H?D 2?5 @A6C2E6D {@4@ $@E@ q@I:?8 :? w:4<@CJ]k^Am Tony "Loco" Soto warms up on the heavy bag at Loco Soto Boxing in Hickory in 2024. Jason Koon, Record kAm$@E@ H:== 7246 p?E9@?J !:<6 :? }6H2C<[ }y 2E qzur hd 2E E96 !CF56?E:2= r6?E6C @? $2EFC52J] qzur Wq2C6 z?F4<=6 u:89E:?8 r92>A:@?D9:AX :D E96 7:CDE AC@>@E:@? 2==@H65 E@ 9@=5 =682=[ D2?4E:@?65 2?5 C68F=2E65 32C6\<?F4<=6D 6G6?ED :? E96 &?:E65 $E2E6D] k^Am kAm%96 !CF56?E:2= r6?E6C 9@=5D FA E@ `h[___ A6@A=6] k^AmkAmr9:=2?8@D %24@D \?\ r2?E:?2 H:== 9@DE 2 H2E49 A2CEJ 7@C $@E@ $2EFC52J ?:89E DE2CE:?8 2E g A]>] r9:=2?8@D :D =@42E65 2E b_ t2DE u:CDE $E] :? }6HE@?] k^Am People are also reading… Will Isaias match Helene? National Weather Service forecasters address concerns Retired state trooper donates $2,000 to support McDowell Tech BLET cadets Weakened Isaias still threatens NC, NWS says. Here's the timeline of the heaviest impacts McDowell County commissioners hear update about design, timeline for new school for Marion Marion's Mountain Glory Festival canceled due to impending Hurricane Isaias weather concerns McDowell County commissioners hear update on data center rules Shiflet Field Fly-In & Drive-In returns to Marion Saturday with aircraft, classic cars, family fun Carolina Panthers announce return of running back on Thursday Hunter's Liver Mush needs help with repairs, rising costs to keep Marion business operating McDowell County reports no injuries after overnight flooding, landslides; EOC center, shelter closes Nebo woman charged with fentanyl possession following traffic stop Trump doles out billions to voters ahead of midterm elections Swannanoa man faces sexual assault charges in McDowell County Candidates for Marion seat on McDowell Board of Education answer questions McDowell County Schools alumni spotlight: Carson Gowan has dedicated his life to community Tony "Loco" Soto spars with LaVonte Earley at Loco Soto Boxing in Hickory in preparation for a bare-knuckles title fight in 2024. Jason Koon, Record file kAm$@E@ 4@>6D :?E@ E96 7:89E H:E9 2 e\c C64@C5] w6 :D 4@>:?8 @77 2 E9:C5\C@F?5 %z~ =@DD E@ y]r] s6{6@? @? yF?6 `h :? }2D9G:==6] k^AmkAm$@E@ 92D 2 9:DE@CJ @7 36:?8 :?G@=G65 :? D@>6 @7 E96 >@DE AC@=:7:4 7:89ED :? E96 9:DE@CJ @7 qzur] k2 E:E=6lQw:4<@CJ 32C6 <?F4<=6D 7:89E6C ` @7 c EC2:?:?8 :? |@C82?E@?Q 9C67lQ9EEADi^^9:4<@CJC64@C5]4@>^E?4>D^2DD6E^65:E@C:2=^_52a7g36\e5a4\``66\3edc\efgb2663gb_6^Q E2C86ElQ03=2?<Qmx? 9:D a_ab F?2?:>@FD 564:D:@? H:? @G6C z6G:? rC@@>k^2m[ $@E@ 3642>6 E96 >@DE 244FC2E6 AF?496C :? 2 D:?8=6 qzur 7:89E[ =2?5:?8 ghT @7 9:D AF?496D :? E96 7:89E] k^Am kAmp J62C =2E6C[ 96 =@DE 2 =:89EH6:89E E:E=6 7:89E E@ uC2?4@ %6?28=:2 :? |2C36==2[ $A2:? 3J DA=:E 564:D:@?] k2 E:E=6lQw:4<@CJ 32C6 <?F4<=6 3@I6C DA2CD G6C32==J H:E9 @AA@?6?E[ D:ED 3J r@??@C |4vC68@C 2E AC6DD 4@?76C6?46 :? $A2:?Q 9C67lQ9EEADi^^9:4<@CJC64@C5]4@>^E?4>D^2DD6E^65:E@C:2=^ee5cddh_\cd66\``67\g6f_\ab7f_77272hg^Q E2C86ElQ03=2?<QmxE H2D ?2>65 2D E96 E@A 7:89E @7 E96 ?:89Ek^2m 2?5 4@?D:56C65 E@ 36 @?6 @7 E96 E@A 7:89ED :? E96 AC@>@E:@?VD 9:DE@CJ] k^Am Bare-knuckles boxer Tony “Loco” Soto trains for a fight in 2023. ROBERT C. REED, RECORD kAmr@??@C |4vC68@C[ H9@ :D @?6 @7 E96 @H?6CD @7 E96 AC@>@E:@?[ E@@< E96 >:4 27E6C E96 32EE=6 2?5 E@=5 E96 4C@H5 E92E E96 7:89E H2D D@ 8@@5 96 H@F=5 5@F3=6 E96 AFCD6 2?5 3@?FD6D] k^Am kA 4=2DDlQE?4>D\:?=:?6\=:?<Qmk2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^9:4<@CJC64@C5]4@>^E?4>D^2DD6E^65:E@C:2=^ee5cddh_\cd66\``67\g6f_\ab7f_77272hgQmw:4<@CJ 32C6 <?F4<=6 3@I6C DA2CD G6C32==J H:E9 @AA@?6?E[ D:ED 3J r@??@C |4vC68@C 2E AC6DD 4@?76C6?46 :? $A2:?k^2mk^Am Jason Koon is the Sports Editor for the Hickory Record and can be reached at jason.koon@lee.net. 0 Comments Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. jason.koon Author email Follow jason.koon Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today Related to this story Tony 'Loco' Soto spars before his upcoming title fight Soto will fight for the BKFC lightweight title in Spain in 2024 Recommended for you Watch Now: Related Video Mike Tomlin discusses new life in broadcasting, reaction to his viral Minecraft city This 49ers trade rumor is HEATING UP... This 49ers trade rumor is HEATING UP... 'When they smell blood, they take it and run' - Guardians react to Rays punching back in the ALCS. 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jason.koon Author email Follow jason.koon Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today
Tony 'Loco' Soto spars before his upcoming title fight Soto will fight for the BKFC lightweight title in Spain in 2024
