Jorge Arce

Born in Los Mochis, Mexico, Arce turned pro at the age of 16. He won his first four fights, then hit a snag against two future contenders. Arce lost to Omar Romero and drew with Gabriel Munoz in back-to-back fights in the summer of 1996, but then won 10 straight fights and a pair of regional belts before losing on points to veteran Jose Victor Burgos on December 12, 1997.

He recovered from that setback with four straight wins, earning his first world title shot on December 4, 1998 against Juan Domingo Cordoba[?] for the WBO light-flyweight title. Arce won the fight and became a world champion at the age of 19.

After making one successful defense of his title, Arce drew a big-money fight in Tijuana against three-time former champion Michael Carbajal. Arce was ahead on all three judges' scorecards after 10 rounds, but in the 11th, the veteran Carbajal connected with a right hand and captured the crown via a technical knockout.

After a four-month layoff, Arce returned to the ring and won a WBO regional belt, while working his way back up the rankings for another title shot. That came on October 20, 2001, when he defeated Juanito Rubillar for the WBC version of the light flyweight title. He has held it ever since, making four successful defenses and winning two non-title bouts as of July 2003.

His career record is 34 wins, three losses and one draw, with 25 knockouts. He is a perfect 14-0 since the loss to Carbajal.