Anaheim’s Honda Center will host a potential fight of the year candidate Saturday night when super flyweight boxer Jorge Arce (Los Mochis, Mexico, 51-4-1, 39 KO) challenges Vic Darchinyan (Sydney, Australia, 31-1-1, 25 KO).
Arce is attempting to regain his world class pugilistic shine after taking a one sided beating from fellow Mexican Cristian Mijares in April, 2007 that has stained his career. During ensuing year and half, Arce has racked up five consecutive victories against marginal opposition. For a man who is well known throughout Mexico due to his constant presence on the nation’s television networks, a victory against Darchinyan is necessary if he hopes to be considered one of the best in the sport and not a fringe media star who happens to fight.
In the build-up for the fight between this pair of prolific talkers, both men has hurled insults at their foe via the media. Yesterday during the final press conference for the bout, Arce failed to appear. This follows a January 24 no-show by Arce at a scheduled press conference in downtown Los Angeles.
“There is only reason he is not here,” said Darchinyan. “He is scared…I am going to demolish him.”
Arce might be playing mind games with the Australian-based Armenian Darchinyan, but the “Lollipop Cowboy” – Arce’s alias due to his custom of entering the ring with a sucker in his mouth and Mexican cowboy hat on his head – better be prepared for his toughest fight since the bludgeoning his received at the hands of Mijares.
Arce looks to re-establish himself as an elite talent, but Darchinyan will be fighting to cement himself legacy. After 28 straight victories to kick-off his career, Darchinyan tasted a savage fifth round knock-out loss to Filipino Nonito Donaire in July, 2007. Darchinyan’s next four fights produced a record of three knockout wins and one controversial draw against Z Gorres in the Philippines, but his knockout victory of the highly touted Mijares last year sent Darchinyan’s status rising in the sport.
If Darchinyan is able to defeat Arce, his loss against Donaire will be remembered as a painful hiccup in a solid career. A loss to Arce will cause experts and fans to ponder the reliability of his ring performances and dissipate any speculation of super flyweight dominance.
Along with all this, Arce and Darchinyan are face first offensive fighters who do not value defense or caution within the boxing ring. They come to administer pain and entertain fans. Both men have knockouts on their minds.
?I want to tell you that I am ready for whatever he is bringing,” said Arce. “I never surrender and I am ready for Saturday.”
Matchmaking in boxing is a tricky thing and there are no sure things when it comes to speculating in the ring action. That being said, as a fan, Arce vs. Darchinyan is a must see fight. These mini-gladiators will put their hearts and bodies on the line Saturday night, if you enjoy combat sports, buy a ticket or tune in. The probability of disappointment due to a lack luster action is highly improbable in this writer’s estimation
Seats are available and priced at $250, $125, $90, $60, $45 and $35 via www.ticketmaster.com The bout will also be televised by Showtime.
“I PREDICT…”
Darchinyan by a unanimous decision. Arce is twenty-nine years old, with 56 fights in the tank and comes to fight every single time he steps into the ring. His warrior heart will be his undoing against the awkward styled southpaw Darchinyan, who is four years his elder but a fresher fighter with 33 bouts. Though Darchinyan is susceptible to knockdowns, look for the Armenian to get the best of Arce in heated offensive exchanges over twelve entertaining rounds of boxing.
