Arce: “I’m Going to Win By Knockout”

LAS VEGAS – Jorge “Travieso” Arce, a 14-year veteran who’s knocked out 43 of his 64 opponents, is aiming for history, as he seeks to become the first Mexican to win four titles in four divisions. Standing in his way: jr. featherweight champion WILFREDO VAZQUEZJr., the son and namesake of one of Puerto Rico’s greatest fighters.

The two will clash May 7^th on the undercard of theMANNY PACQUIAO-SHANE MOSLEY super-fight here at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. “I’m happy for this fight,” said Arce. “I’m looking forward to making history.”

“I gotta say that the past belts don’t mean a thing to me,” he added. “I want to differentiate myself from the past champions. This is the fight of my life.”

But buried beneath the talk of making history — of separating himself from such legends as Julio Cesar Chavez, Juan Manuel Marquez, and the short list of other elite Mexican pugilists who’ve earned three titles in as many divisions — are more personal goals.

First, Arce, a native of the coastal city of Los Mochis, wants to take Vazquez’s title for his beloved homeland. “I’m prideful for my country. I will not let them down,” he said.

Second, Arce wants to win for his family. He said, “Most importantly, I want to do this for my kids.”

Despite his accomplishments and skills, Arce is nevertheless an underdog against the undefeated Vazquez. As always with older fighters, Arce’s age — he’s 31 years old — is counted against him. (The 39-year-old Mosley is facing similar criticism.) While he’s aware that many expect him to lose, this only provides him with more motivation.

“People have counted me out and think that I have no chance. The hunger comes from when I was young and I didn’t have the money to buy the things that I wanted,” Arce said. Adding, “Nobody knows what’s inside of me.”  

He pointed to another recent fight in which the Mexican was heavily favored to lose against a Puerto Rican titlist: the April 16^th bout between champion JUAN MANUEL LOPEZ and Orlando Salido. Coming into the match, Lopez was expected to dismantle Salido, but that’s not the way it worked out: he lost his belt by technical knockout to the rugged challenger.

In any given fight, Arce said, “you can’t really guarantee who’s going to win.”

And yet, when discussing his next opponent, Arce practically beams with confidence. “The only thing that Vazquez has going for him is he’s the son of a great champion,” he said, referencing Vazquez’s legendary father, who, coincidentally, won three titles in three divisions. “I’m a real fighter. He’s going to be facing a strong warrior.”

So, how does he plan on winning? “My strategy is to close the gap. In order for him to knock me down, he’s going to have to kill me.”

“Actually, I dreamed the result,” he went on. “I’m going to win by knockout.”