Arce Rushed to Hospital
after Knockout Defeat to Darchinyan
By Adam Ramirez
FightNetBoxing.com
Photo: Mary Ann Owen
February 8, 2009
(FEB 8) ANAHEIM- Challenger Jorge Arce
was rushed to the hospital Saturday about an hour after taking a beating
from WBA, WBC and IBF junior bantamweight champ Vic Darchinyan at the
Honda Center. In a bizarre scene, Arce was treated by EMT staff in the
Honda Center press room while a handful of reporters wrote copy on
deadline.
EMT staff were concerned about Arce's blood pressure, which was
fluctuating from high to low. Arce initially insisted he was fine to
walk to the ambulance; however, after he admitted to being unbalanced,
he got on the gurney and started breathing from an oxygen mask.
The EMT cleared the hallway so that he could have some privacy, and he
was wheeled onto the ambulance away from the press conference, which was
happening at the same time.
Arce had a glassy look in his eye during the verbal exchange with the
EMT.
"Ask him where he hurts," an Anaheim EMT asked.
"Behind my ear and my right eye here," Arce said through the oxygen
mask. Arce had complained during the fight about being struck behind his
ear.
The scene happened while reporters typed away on their computers. While
he was being wheeled to the ambulance, a promoter asked him if he could
sign for his paycheck.
It was a stark reminder how championship boxers have to endure so much
to earn a living. More to come on this breaking story.
Darchinyan Has Too Much Power,
Skills for Arce in Title Fight Aremenian champ shows some skills en
route to 11th round TKO By Adam Ramirez
FightNetBoxing.com
ANAHEIM - Vic Darchinyan strutted into the ring Saturday night with a
Cheshire Cat-like smirk. He exuded confidence and had a look on his face
that said: "I own this guy, just watch."
Then the Armenian champion proceeded to follow up his braggadocio with a
strong, 11-round TKO of Mexican Jorge Arce to defend his 115-pound IBF,
WBC and WBA world titles.
The partisan crowd in the Honda Center made the arena feel like a World
Cup match. Darchinyan fans waved red, orange and blue Aremenian flags
while Arce's Mexican supporters changed "Mexico, Mexico!" The Mexican
fans loudly jeered Darchinyan as he entered the ring, which only seemed
to make him smirk that much more.
Make no mistake, Darchinyan backed up his brashness with a dominating
performance. He won every round on most observers cards, although one
could argue Arce won a hotly contested third round. Regardless,
Darchinyan delivered in every respect in this skillful performance.
"I did punish him tonight, and I could have done the same if we had
fought 2 or 3 years ago," Darchinyan said after taking a victory ride on
a handler's shoulders. "I am more than a left-handed fighter, I can take
people apart with both hands."
Darchinyan's powerful left hand set the tone for the night. He landed
straight lefts and left counterpunches early and often. The 33-year-old
champ showed versatility, strength and ring savvy.
Darchinyan had kind words for Arce after his victory:
"[Arce] surprised me, I didn't expect this kind of fight," Darchinyan
said. "He's a tough, and a good fighter.
"I hit him with some good shots, but he kept fighting back. I would have
liked to have knocked him out cold, but I'm happy."
Darchinyan earned all his accolades on this night with a punishing
performance.
Arce, for his part, left everything in the ring. A true warrior, Arce
refused to go down and insisted to keep taking shots from Darchinyan.
At the end of the 11th round, he looked frustrated and out of sorts.
Both his eyes were badly swollen at that point. A deep cut had developed
over his right eye that was bleeding badly. Arce kept pawing at the eye
and he seemed out of sorts each time Darchinyan pressed him.
Arce was badly swollen after the fight, but insisted that they should
have let him come out for the final round.
"I came to fight, I still don't know why they stopped it," Arce said.
"I'm a puncher, and I had a puncher's chance in there, I would have
liked to have tried to win it in the last round.
"But I make no excuses. Darchinyan is a good strong, fighter. But I know
I hurt him a few times with body shots and, of course, I'd like a
rematch. I don't like it when fights end like that."
Adam Ramirez, who was highly impressed by Darchinyan, can be reached at
adam.ramirez@gmail.com
