Donaire vs Arce results: Arce says he's retiring following loss

In the moments following Jorge Arce's lopsided loss to Nonito Donaire tonight on HBO I wondered what was next for Arce. Knowing that fighters rarely step away when the time is right and that he hadn't lost since 2009, I simply couldn't see Arce hanging up the gloves.

Instead, that appears to be exactly what Arce is going to do.

The HBO Boxing Twitter account with the details:

Jorge Arce says he promised his family he'd retire if he lost, but if he's going to go out on that note, at least it was to the best.

— HBOboxing (@HBOboxing) December 16, 2012

Arce isn't an all-time great, but he's a hell of a fighter who was relevant well past the point where most expected. From winning the WBO light flyweight title all the way back in 1998 through the big upset of Wilfredo Vazquez Jr. to win the WBO super bantamweight strap just last year at a time when people thought he was just too far over his natural weight. Arce was a battler.

Always good for an entertaining brawl, Jorge will be fondly remembered for the effort he gave between the ropes. And there are plenty of reasons to respect him for getting out at the right time.

You can read Bad Left Hook's full coverage of the card here and also get a different perspective of things and additional coverage at Bloody Elbow.