By Sergio Martinez

Photo © Chris Cozzone/FightWireImages.com

“Boxing’s Evil Empire” is a term I use to refer to fighters that are beyond comprehension regarding their lust for pain and larger than life personas. There are few fighters throughout history that have had this kind of combination which qualify them for my own “River Bottom Nightmare Band” lineup. Fighters like Jake LaMotta, Mike Tyson, Roberto Duran, Julio Cesar Chavez, Jose Luis Castillo, Erik Morales and Arturo Gatti are but a few who have, at one time or another, topped my list of wickedness.

 

I know what you are thinking: “Where are guys like Micky Ward and every other tough-as-nails fighter? Why are they not on the aforementioned list?”

 

My answer to those questions is that although toughness is obviously a criterion, it is not the only one. The fighters on my list all had personalities that were larger than life at the time of their prominence. From alcoholism, to whore mongering, to just being such an incredible badass that their auras consumed the general public and elevated their mythical figure status.

 

At the present time, “The Empire” has a ruler who keeps the tradition intact by running his domain with an iron fist. His name: Jorge “Travieso” Arce.

 

Arce is as brutal and vicious inside the ring as he is entertaining and flamboyant outside of it. The Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexicans persona is of such magnitude that he has managed to garner the attention of boxing’s “Status Quo,” despite the fact that he weighs all of 115-pounds in the super flyweight division that is normally ignored.

 

“Travieso” possesses all of the characteristics of a true badass. He is the cowboy hat wearing, lollipop eating gangster with the crooked-tooth smile and quote-of-the-month style that keeps the media talking and puts fans in seats.

 

Of course, Arce is not without substance as he blends speed and power in some of the most ferocious counter shots seen in recent memory. The tiny but powerful Mexican can box from the outside and, of course, is a killer on the inside.

 

In his last seven contests, “Travieso” has brutalized the opposition, going 7-0-0 with 7 knockouts. Included in those victories are horrific beatings of world-class fighters like Hussein Hussein (twice), Rosendo Alvarez, and Masibulele Makepula.

 

The first Hussein contest was particularly disturbing as Arce simply stalked and battered the Australian boxer/puncher; beating him into submission in ten vile heats. That fight showed the “Status Quo” exactly what kind of wickedness the always smiling, lollipop eating cowboy assassin was capable of committing. That night, fans did not witness a fight as much as they witnessed one man being viciously assaulted by another.

 

Also, in the Rosendo Alvarez fight, which the Mexican won by sixth round stoppage, there was a particular moment in the corner which encapsulates what Jorge Arce is all about. After coming off a round in which he and the tough Nicaraguan had exchanged serious leather, Arce looked right at the camera and said to what basically translates in English to: Don’t worry as I’m just playing with him. I’m going to knock him (Alvarez) out. Soon after that the fight ended.

 

Now that 2006 is in the history books, “Travieso” enters 2007 as a very “hot” commodity whose fan base is growing with each fight. His ring entrances and fight purses are getting bigger as Arce is a fighter on the rise even after such a long career which spans over eleven years and forty-nine fights.

 

On the twenty-seventh of this month, his Evilness will again grace HBO as Arce takes on tough and rugged Argentinean Julio David Roque Ler in a fight that should be brutally entertaining. That night, we are sure to witness something that will further affirm “Travieso’s” “Scarface” persona, as he will continue to ensure the growth of his fan base.

 

Should everything go well on Saturday night, Arce will take another step towards superstar status and, what we hope are the best possible fights. As his malevolent legend continues to mature, we can all be assured that no matter what happens, in the end, Jorge “Travieso” Arce will always be remembered as one of the most brutal fighters in boxing’s recent history and, for me at least, at the very top of “Boxing’s Evil Empire.”

 

Contact Sergio Martinez at srg_mrtnz@yahoo.com.