Jorge Arce Steals the Show with Historic TKO Victory

By
Edgar Gonzalez
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8
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All Photos by Chris Farina

Jorge Arce (57-6-2, 43 KOs), of Los Mochis, México, became the first Mexican boxer in history to win four world titles in four weight divisions when he scored an upset 12th-round TKO over huge favorite and defending WBO junior featherweight champion Wilfredo Vazquez Jr. (20-1-1, 17 KOs), of Bayamon, Puerto Rico,

The crowd-pleasing Arce, a former world champion at 108, 115, 118 and now 122 pounds, was ahead by five points on one of the scorecards and even on the two others going into the 12th round of what had been an action-packed, with the crowd roaring, Arce pounced on Vazquez and was rocking him repeatedly with hard shots. Vazquez was against the ropes and his head was being snapped all over the place, but referee Joe Cortez allowed the punishment to continue until Vazquez’s corner threw a towel into the ring and then came into the ring to stop the fight at 55 seconds.

“I knew I could knock him out and I did,’’ Arce said. “My heart is too big. He’s a good, young champion with a big punch but my experience and my heart was too much for him.

“There was no other way than to bring the fight to him. I fought like a true Mexican warrior. I won it for Mexico. Now my name will forever be mentioned when you speak of Mexican fighters.’’

Vazquez was upset that the fight did not continue.

“I was fine,’’ he said. “They should have never stopped this fight. I feel that I would rather get knocked out and end up on the canvas than having it stopped the way it did. My father stopped it. He never should have.’’

Kelly Pavlik, making his first start since losing his WBC and WBO middleweight titles to Sergio Martinez on April 17, 2010, was triumphant by the scores of 99-91, 98-92 and 95-95. There were no knockdowns.

“I had ring rust, but I did win the fight,’’ Pavlik said. “I don’t know what happened on that one scorecard but I did win the fight.’’

Trainer Jack Loew was proud of his charge. “We had two wins tonight,’’ he said. “The first win was going up the steps, walking in the ring and competing after all the rehabs and everything he had been through. The second win was getting the win itself.

“There was definitely ring rust. That was obvious.’’

Lopez felt he deserved better.

“At the worst I definitely think I deserved at least a draw,’’ he said. “I think I connected with a lot more shots than he did. I knew the rounds were going to be hard to score but low blows affected me and I got tired at the end.’’

Mike Alvarado was ahead on all the scorecards by 30-27 twice and 29-28 when a weakened Narh could not answer the bell for the fourth round.

“I was sick all night and throwing up,’’ Narh said. “I think I got sick after eating something after the weigh-in. I tried to get through it because I didn’t want to cancel the fight, but I had no legs and no snap on my punches.’’

Said Alvarado: “I was just getting started. I think he took the easy way out. After the first round I told my trainer ‘he doesn’t want to fight.’ He knew he didn’t belong in the ring with me.’’

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8 COMMENTS

  1. I am drowning is a sea of my own sh*t. I didn’t think Arce had in him. I thought he was in over his head fighting at this weight class. He proved me wrong. It’s a shame two of the judges had it a draw after eleven rounds. If Vasquez had one the twelveth round, then we would have kept his title. That’s crazy !! I am glad it wasn’t left up to the judges. Now, Arce challenges Vic Darchinyan to a rematch ?? If he fights the he did on Saturday, then we have a fight of the year candidate.

    Thank to Joes for clearing up the jr flyweight scenario regarding Arce. That certainly puts an asterisk next to his name as the first Mexican boxer to win titles in four weight divisions. Nonetheless congratulations to El Travieso for his victory.

  2. Arce put on a hell of a show he and Vasquez Jr. single-handedly saved that ppv. Congrats to him and I think he looks very good at this weight. I was a little weary of this fight considering he was fighting some good talent at a new weight class but man did he impress. Kelly Pavlik on the other hand, I think he needs a new trainer and kudos to him for coming back against a descent fighter but he simply looked one dimensional in the process and I don’t see him in the league with any of the top Super Middleweights at this point. As for the first fight I think Antonio Tarver said it best “they should have taken his check away.” Plain and simple I have plenty doubt he ate anything bad he just didn’t want to get hurt.

  3. MAN ARCE WAS UTTERLY AN INDEFATIGABLE FIGHTER .HE DID NOT BACK UP DURING THE ENTIRE FIGHT .CONGRATULATIONS FOR ARCE ON HIS STUPENDOUS PERFORMANCE .

  4. I am a big fan of Arce, but should he be considered the 1st Mexican to win a title in 4 different divisions? He is a legitimate 3 division champion and he belongs withe the very few such as Chavez, Barrera, Morales, Marquez, but he only held the interim WBA super flyweight title, he never defeated the legit super flyweight champ and as we all know the interim champ is not the real champ of the division. So Arce is a true 3 division champ, but to claim he is a 4 division champ is not accurate.

  6. THIS FIGHT SHOULD HAVE BEEN THE MAIN EVENT .HAHA .ARCE WAS THE MOST ENTERTAINING FIGHTER OF THE EVENING .

  7. Arce was the true warrior hes always been. man he was just relentless even when it wasnt going his way at times. love him ! great fighter with tons of heart. Pavlik looked terrible and i think lost the fight easly.lopez was slick and active.

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