Roundup by Dan Rafael of ESPN
In September 2009, Arce, considered a faded fighter by many at that time, lost a clear decision to Nongqayi, 38, of South Africa, for a vacant junior bantamweight title. Arce, 32, of Mexico, considered retirement, but decided to continue fighting. He has not lost since, going 6-0-1, including this tremendous performance in the first defense of his 122-pound title to gain revenge for that loss in Mexico two years ago.
In May, Arce pulled a major upset by stopping Wilfredo Vazquez Jr. in the 12th round to claim the title on the Manny Pacquiao-Shane Mosley undercard. A rematch has been discussed, but first Arce took this fight at home and dominated with an exciting performance against Nongqayi, who was fighting for the first time since losing his title via sixth-round knockout of Juan Alberto Rosas in July 2010 (and moving up two weight classes). Arce’s strength showed from the outset. Late in the first round, a left hand to the head knocked Nongqayi — who also had defeated Francisco Arce, Jorge’s younger brother, in a 2009 junior bantamweight title eliminator — into the ropes for a knockdown.
Nongqayi never really got into the fight, although he did cut Arce near his right eye with a head butt in the third round. In the fourth round, Nongqayi had a point deducted by referee Rafael Ramos for opening another cut on Arce’s forehead with a head but. Incensed by the butt and not wanting the fight to be stopped and ruled a no contest because they had not completed four rounds, Arce cranked up the pace. He was all over Nongqayi, teeing off on him until Ramos stepped in to stop it at 2 minutes, 1 second. It was another exciting fight from Arce, who has made so many of them during his long career. And now the three-division titlist could be headed for a rematch with Vazquez or a possible move up in weight to challenge featherweight titlist Jhonny Gonzalez in an all-Mexico affair. Whomever Arce fights, you know one thing is for sure: It’ll be fun while it lasts.