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Arce no match for Darchinyan

TAKE THAT: Vic Darchinyan, of Australia, left, lands a punch on Jorge Arce, of Mexico, during the third round of their IBC-WCB-WBA super flyweight title fight in in Anaheim, California, USA, Saturday. 07/02/09. Pic. Chris Carlson. © AP.
TAKE THAT: Vic Darchinyan, of Australia, left, lands a punch on Jorge Arce, of Mexico, during the third round of their IBC-WCB-WBA super flyweight title fight in in Anaheim, California, USA, Saturday. 07/02/09. Pic. Chris Carlson. © AP.

CALIFORNIA - Armenian Vic Darchinyan, who is based in Australia, retained his undisputed super flyweight title with an 11th-round technical knockout of Mexico's Jorge Arce on Saturday.

CALIFORNIA - Armenian Vic Darchinyan, who is based in Australia, retained his undisputed super flyweight title with an 11th-round technical knockout of Mexico's Jorge Arce on Saturday.

Darchinyan constantly landed solid punches but Arce not only refused to go down, but waded in and tried to land blows of his own. He usually didn't, but the champion was impressed.

Arce's face was covered with blood and his knees were buckling as he took shots on the ropes in the closing seconds of the 11th round.

The ring physician examined a gash near the fighter's right eye and determined he should not come out for the 12th.

"He proved to me that he was tough and a good fighter. I hit him with some good shots and he kept fighting back," said Darchinyan who retained his WBA, WBC and IBF belts.

Arce was disappointed at the fight being ended. "I don't know why the doctor stopped it," Arce said. "Going into the last round, a fighter always has a chance to win."

Darchinyan more likely would have finished him if he had answered the bell for the 12th round.

"I would have liked to have knocked him out cold," Darchinyan said. - Sapa-AP

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