Jhonny Gonzalez vs. Jorge Arce: Fight Time, Date, TV Info and More
When two Mexican warriors like Jhonny Gonzalez (56-8, 47 KO) and Jorge Arce (64-7-2, 49 KO) meet, the expectations for a spirited battle are extremely high. Gonzalez will put his WBC featherweight title on the line against the highly experienced but long in the tooth former five-time world champion.
The bout takes place at Cancha de Usos Multiples Praderas de Villa in Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico. That's Arce's hometown; thus, he should have a considerable following for the bout.
With nearly 100 KOs between the two men, it would be a shock if this one goes the distance. Here's how you can watch.
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When: Saturday, Oct. 4 at 11 p.m. ET
Where: Cancha de Usos Multiples Praderas de Villa, Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico
TV: beIN Sports Espanol/Televisa in Mexico
Moving on From Mares
After stopping Abner Mares and taking his title in the first round of their Aug. 2013 meeting, Gonzalez wanted to grant the former champion a rematch. Injuries and postponements didn't allow that to happen, and Gonzalez just returned to the ring back in May to simply get some work.
He handled Clive Atwell fairly easy in his last bout, but this clash with Arce will be his first significant challenge since knocking out Mares.
While he did defeat Atwell without major peril, Gonzalez didn't look quite as sharp as he had against Mares. Obviously, there was a fairly long layoff to deal with, as well as an unknown opponent. This time around, neither issue should be a factor.
Per Dan Rafael of ESPN.com, Gonzalez still believes Arce is dangerous, and he won't take him lightly. Gonzalez said: "I will face a strong and experienced fighter, who has won five world titles, so I will prepare as if I am challenging a world champion. Arce throws punches right from the opening bell. He is brave and strong. We anticipate a war in the ring because I will not take even one step back."
It's a good bet Arce won't be retreating either.
Is Arce Done?
After being destroyed by Nonito Donaire in Nov. 2012, Arce was away from the sport for nearly a year. He returned in Oct. 2013 and stopped Jose Carmona in the eighth round. Since then, he's won two more fights by stoppage.
Those wins look good on his record, but none of those opponents are the caliber of Gonzalez.
It's a legitimate question to ask: Is Arce too far past his prime to seriously challenge for a world title? We'll know the answer for sure on Saturday. At 35 years old, Arce would be pulling a fairly significant upset if he can grind his way to a victory.
Yet, stranger things have happened.
Prediction
With his full-steam-ahead approach, Arce will either make Gonzalez uncomfortable or play right into his hands. I'm betting on the latter.
The jab is perhaps Gonzalez's best weapon. It's stiff and it allows him to utilize his abnormally long 69-inch reach to his advantage. Though the fight with Mares didn't make it out of the first round, the threat of Gonzalez's jab helped to set up the lead left hook that did the damage.
Arce has never been one for an abundance of head movement—or defense of any variety, for that matter.
At this advanced stage of his career, he's likely to be met time and again by Gonzalez's stiff, range-establishing jab. This will lead to power shots that will break up Arce's face and ultimately lead to a stoppage win for the champion.
Bet on this one ending around the sixth.
Follow Brian Mazique on Twitter. I dig boxing and MMA.
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