Fight too close to call for Arce

DALLAS – Jorge Arce, the small Mexican fighter with the heart as big as Texas, is torn between Manny Pacquiao and Antonio Margarito.

At the main press room of the Gaylord Texan Hotel here Thursday, the 31-year-old, 5-foot-6 Arce, in his black fedora hat, talked to Filipino scribes.

“It’s very very difficult,” said the former world champion in the light-flyweight and super-flyweight divisions.

“Pacquiao is too fast but Margarito is a strong, big man,” he said.

He said he doubts if Pacquiao, despite his power and speed, could score a knockout on Saturday at the Cowboys Stadium.

“I don’t know what will happen. I really don’t know.”

Arce, who often breaks his nose in the ring, win or lose, looked really confused calling this fight.

“Maybe Margarito. He’s very strong,” he said.

“Okay, Margarito by knockout, Pacquiao by decision.”

Arce has always been around in Pacquiao’s biggest fights in the United States. He used to dream about a fight with the Filipino superstar, even saying he could win the fight.

But on Friday, all he wanted was to get into the Longhorn Exhibit Hall where Pacquiao trains.

“Is he gonna train today? I want to watch. It’s my dream to watch him train,” he said.