-Photo Credit: Kenny Perrault/BRC-

In front of a vociferous hometown crowd,  Mexico's  Jorge  "El Travieso"  (Spanish for "mischievous"),  Arce defeated Angky "Time Bomb" Angkota in a 7-round technical decision  to win the vacant  WBO Super Flyweight crown.   The more experienced 30-year old Arce  ( 52-6-1  with 40 KOs ) was able to wear down Angkota  (23-4 with 14 KOs) with a ferocious non-stop body attack that took its toll on the 28-year old Indonesian. 

After an exciting, action packed opening round highlighted by excellent exchanges from both fighters,  it appeared that the evening was headed for a quick ending.  Neither fighter took a backward step,  each attempting to impose his will on the other by setting a fierce tempo. 

However,  the tide turned quickly at the start of the second round, as the Mexican used his experience and punching power to press the action with his retreating opponent trying to find refuge while on the ropes.  With a relentless body attack, Arce was able to keep Angkota with his back on the ropes the entire round,  with the Indonesian firing back with mostly ineffective counterpunches. 

The rest of the fight followed the same pattern of give-and-take,.with the Mexican doing the giving and Angkota doing the taking.   Concentrating mostly on the body attack, Arce slowly defused  the "Time Bomb" from Indonesia, who was unable, or unwilling, to avoid having his back on the ropes. 

After an accidental head butt mid way through the seventh round, Angky Angkota emerged with a severe laceration on his right eyelid.   The ringside doctor examined the cut and advised referee Sammy Viruet that a stoppage was in order.  According to the rules,  the winner would be determined by the judges' scorecards after an accidental head butt prevents a fighter from continuing.   The scores of 60-54, 58-56 and 60-54 all favored Jorge Arce,  as he claimed the vacant WBO Super Flyweight crown.   

The popular Mexican, raising his record to 53-6-1 with 41 KOs,  had previously won titles in the Light Flyweight,  Flyweight and Super Flyweight divisions.  He now has his sights set on a unification bout against  Armenian's Vic "Ragging Bull" Darchinyan, the current WBC and WBA Super Flyweight champion.  A fight between the two reigning world champions promises to be an exciting, non stop affair worthy of a possible Fight of the Year nomination.

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