By James Slater: Yet to be confirmed but looking like a real possibility for the under-card of the May 7th Manny Pacquiao-Shane Mosley showdown in Las Vegas, is an intriguing fight between WBO super-bantam champ Wilfredo Vazquez Junior and Mexican warrior Jorge Arce.
According to Vegas Boxing Community, Vazquez’ promoter has confirmed that Top Rank have offered the Arce fight, and that they are currently in talks.
“Arce is a great former world champion and a big name and we know this could be a huge step up in Junior’s career and take it to another level,” Tuto Zabala said.
While Arce, already a former champ at light-fly, fly and super-flyweight, says Vazquez is a fighter he is focused on, and that he has “long been talking about a fight with him.”
An excellent-looking match-up, especially as a high class supporting bout to the main event that, in truth, fans are not all that excited about, Vazquez-Arce would help shift tickets. But who would win, the young, unbeaten Puerto Rican, or the grizzled and tough Mexican?
Vazquez, arguably the most successful of the recent “juniors” who have attempted to follow in the footsteps of their legendary fathers, won the WBO belt in February of last year and he has since made two retentions. The 26-year-old really is looking the business and his 20-0-1(17) pro ledger shows he can punch. Vazquez has won his last five by stoppage and he may be about to reach his absolute peak very soon. This could be bad news for 31-year-old Arce; a fighter who has had a long and hard career.
Currently 56-6-2(43), “Travieso” has possibly forgotten more about the game than Vazquez Jr has yet to learn. But how much has the lollypop-sucking tough guy got left in the tank? Arce won his first “world” title way back in 2001, and he has been in some gruelling wars since then. Stopped just three times, the most recent time by Vic Darchinyan in 2009, Arce remains strong and durable. His recent form has seen him win four of his last five (one draw), and the veteran has proven he has carried his power up with him to 122-pounds.
If the ultra-experienced former champ has enough left he should be able to test Vazquez like no-one has before. Certainly, the five-years younger man will not have been in with a more dangerous and experienced foe. The edge in speed will go to Vazquez, but Arce may be able to overcome that with his sheer heart and guts. Also a good body puncher, Arce will look to slow the younger man down.
Whoever wins this one (if it happens), the action is sure to get the watching crowd in something of a frenzy and ready for the main event. Maybe Vazquez-Arce will even be the fight of the night. But with Humberto Soto-Urbano Antillon II also looking like landing on the May 7th card, such a distinction could be up for grabs.
Of added interest to the prospective Arce challenge of Vazquez is the fact that the Mexican star will be going for a piece of boxing history. Can Arce become the first Mexican to capture “world” titles in four separate weight classes?