December 23, 2003
CEBU, PHILIPPINES-Mexican hard-puncher Jorge Arce (34-3-1, 25 KOs) will defend his WBC 108-pound belt against ex-WBA 105-pound champ Joma Gamboa (33-7-2, 22 KOs), Philippines, in Mexico City on January 10.
Arce, whose nickname is Travieso (naughty boy), acquired the WBC interim belt by a unanimous decision over Filipino southpaw Juanito Rubillar in Tijuana in 2001, and became the legitimate champ by stopping the full champ Yosam Choi in six lopsided rounds in Seoul, Korea, in July of the previous year. Arce kept his throne three times by beating Agustin Luna (TKO 3), Ernesto Castro (KO 1) and Melchor Cob Castro (TW 6) to his credit. Arce has been unbeaten in four years and a half since he lost to Michael gLittle Hands of Stoneh Carbajal by a come-from-behind 11th round TKO and lost his WBO 108-pound belt in 1999.
Gamboa, six years his senior at 30, once seized the WBA 105-pound belt by a split verdict over the current champ Noel Arambulet in Japan in August 2000, but yielded it to Keitaro Hoshino by a close but unanimous nod that December. The Filipino faced Hoshino again for the vacant WBA title only to lose a unanimous decision in January of the previous year. Gamboa fought compatriot Juanito Rubillar to a third-round technical draw and unanimously defeated Daisuke Iida and Rodel Quilaton on points.
Gamboa, who received the official contract today, will arrive in Mexico City early next year after celebrating Christmas holidays in Cebu. The 108-pound title bout is promoted by Top Rank, Inc.
(12-23-03)