Darchinyan downs Arce

Vic Darchinyan retained his WBA, WBC and IBF super flyweight belts on Saturday.

Darchinyan powers to knock-out win

The Australian-based Armenian Vic Darchinyan retained his WBA, WBC and IBF super flyweight belts with a comprehensive victory over Jorge Arce on Saturday night. The 33-year-old southpaw landed a flurry of big shots throughout the fight and seemed to have Arce in serious trouble in the seventh round. However his opponent recovered his composure only for the ringside doctor to end the fight before the start of the 12th. Arce was bleeding heavily from a cut underneath his right eye and was deemed unfit to continue. A delighted Darchinyan said: "He surprised me. I didn't expect him to fight like he did, but he proved to me he was tough and a good fighter. I hit him with some good shots and he kept fighting back." Arce was furious at the decision to end the fight, adding: "I don't know why they stopped the fight. Going into the last round, a fighter always has a chance to win."