He comes to battle dressed like a cowboy. A troublemaker since childhood, his friend called him “The Menace”. But what Jorge Arce would love the most is to come to the ring wearing a title belt and to once again be called “The Champ”. He has been fighting for 11 years as a professional and on December 1, he’ll step back into the ring to take on Medgoen Singsurat of Thailand. But for Jorge it’s been a long journey.

Arce turned professional at the age of 16. He is a two-time light flyweight world champion; he won the WBO light flyweight world title at the age of 19 in 1998, and won the WBC light flyweight world title at 23 in 2002. He made four successful defenses of the WBC title in 2004, and won the WBC's award for "The Most Active Champion in 2004." He vacated the WBC light flyweight world title to move up to the flyweight division, and won the WBC interim flyweight world title in July, 2005. Arce knows what it’s like to be a champion, but after a wide unanimous decision loss to Christian Mijares, some experts started to question his desire to stay in the sport.

FightBeat caught up with the former champion to get a few words about his career, his preparation for his upcoming bout, and a chance to answer his critics.

Miguel Salazar (FB): Tell me what you know about your opponent.

Jorge Arce (JA): Well the only thing I know is that he’s a great Thai fighter who knocked out Manny Pacquiao in 3 rounds. I also know that he’s been a world champion and that he has a solid record. He’s only lost 4 times in 56 fights. I know he’s a tough opponent but we’ll be ready.

FB: Earlier this year you lost a unanimous decision to Cristian Mijares. You hadn't lost a fight in almost 8 years. Tell me what you learned from that fight and did you make any changes in your training camp?

JA: I learned a lot. You learn more from a loss than a win. I learned that you should never underestimate you opponent. I shouldn’t come into a fight overconfident and I need to always work hard in the gym.

As far as my team, I changed most of my team because training was becoming monotonous. I changed training camp and I’m now working out in LA. I changed my trainer. I basically cleaned house. I’m now working hard, we’ve made a lot of adjustment and come December 1^st, you will see the change. Better yet, you will see the Arce of old.

FB: Are you considering a rematch?

JA: Absolutely. I’d love to fight him again. I’m not sure if he’s interested in that fight. But we also have other options. I’m putting in the work in the gym to capture a world title. I’m ready for whoever they put in front of me. Whether it’s Alexander Munoz or a bantamweight champion, I’m ready for anybody.

FB: You've been in this sport for almost 11 years. In the lighter weights, that's quite a long time. How much longer do you think you have in the sport of boxing?

JA: I’ll keep fighting as long as God allows it. I still want to fight, continue to make history. I’d like to capture my 3^rd world title in a three different weight divisions. I’d like to move up in the near future to bantamweight and win a title there too. I’ll keep fighting as long as God and my family allows it.

FB: What's your most memorable moment in the sport?

JA: The most memorable moment in boxing for me came in July 2002 in Korea when I captured the WBC Jr. Flyweight championship because everything was against me. After that it has to be my fight with Hussein Hussein when I stopped in the 10^th to capture the Flyweight title.

FB: Who was the toughest fighter you ever faced?

JA: The toughest fighter I’ve ever faced has to be Cristian Mijares. A lot has to do with the fact that I underestimated him. I didn’t come well prepared, I had no strategy. He moved around a lot so I had problems catching him. But he’s tough, and I also had trouble with his southpaw stance and very agile—so everything became very complicated for me to solve.

FB: Give me your thoughts on Fernando Montiel and Alexander Munoz

JA: They are great champions. I think they are tough, quick, a lot of heart and very good champions. But I think I can beat both of them. If they give me the chance and I come well prepared I know I can beat them.

FB: In the lower weights, the difference per division is about 3-4 pounds. In the higher weights it’s about 6-7 pounds. Does 3 pound make that much of a difference?

JA: Nah, it doesn’t make that much difference. I actually feel better at this new weight. 3-lbs really isn’t a lot. I can easily move up or down 3-lbs for a fight. God willing, what I’d really love to do is make history by moving up to 122lbs and fighting with Israel Vasquez and winning the title

FB:  Give me your thoughts on Nonito Donaire and what do you think of him as champion? He KO’d Vic Darchinyan and he’s been calling you out ever since.

JA:  I think he’s a great champion, and looks like a good fighter. But I think he hit the lottery by fighting Vic Darchinyan. I’ve always said it, Vic Darchinyan is nothing, he’s a fraud. The only thing that Darchinyan has is a big mouth, but he can’t back it up. He talks a big game, but when he gets into the ring he can’t do shit.

Donaire is a great champion. Humble. He deserves my respect.  He didn’t say much. He just simply went in there and KO’d the big mouth Vic Darchinyan. If I get a chance to fight with him it will be a great fight. But believe me, it won’t be like that fight he had with the fraud Vic Darhinyan. It’ would be a classic.

FB: Thank you.

Be sure to catch Arce vs. Singsurat December 1^st at the Tingley Coliseum, Albuquerque, New Mexico. This fight is part of the Top Rank PPV that features Ivan “Iron Boy” Calderon, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and Mike Alvarado.

WATCH THE INTERVIEW IN SPANISH BY CLICKING HERE