By Ryan Burton
Last week five division world champion Jorge "Travieso" Arce insisted that he wasn't looking past his opponent on Saturday night. With names such as Nonito Donaire, Orlando Salido, and Jhonny Gonzalez looming as potential future opponents it would have been easy for Arce to overlook the relatively unknown Jesus Rojas.
Arce dropped Rojas early in the opening stanza of their fight on the Manny Pacquiao-Tim Bradley undercard at the MGM Grand. The 25-year old Rojas quickly regained his composure and appeared to win most of the round. Early in the second round Rojas hit Arce with a low blow and an unintentional headbutt immediately followed. As Arce pulled his head away from the action and looked to the referee, Rojas followed up with a hook to the back of Arce's ear which sent the Mexican to canvas.
Arce stayed on the ground and complained about the head butt and the blow that he received shortly after. Referee Kenny Bayless corrected ruled the bout a no contest much to the dismay of team Rojas.
The Puerto Rican fighter was clearly frustrated with the outcome and said that Arce was a coward for not continuing to fight. Arce, who is known as being a warrior. objected to Rojas' comments and called him a dirty fighter.
"It was going to be a great fight. I dominated him in the first round and it was going to just be a great fight. It's too bad Rojas decided to fight dirty," Arce stated.
"His comments just show his lack of maturity and his youth. He knows that wasn't a legal punch. He knows I am not a coward. Look at my career. He can go ask (Wilfredo) Papito Vazquez," Travieso continued.
Arce, who has held full world titles in four weight divisions and an interm title in another, said that he had no problems giving Rojas a rematch.
"Whatever day he wants I will go fight him in his house. I will fight him Puerto Rico tomorrow if he wants," Arce revealed.
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