BIGGEST WINNER

Vic Darchinyan: The best junior bantamweight in the world didn’t look fantastic against Jorge Arce on Saturday but, as usual, he was dominating. In only six months, he has stopped three of the best 115-pounders on the planet – Dmitri Kirillov, Cristian Mijares and now Arce. That’s impressive.

MOST COURAGEOUS

Jorge Arce: This is one reason he’s so popular in Mexico. Arce was taking a bad beating but never, not for an instant, stopped trying to win that fight. He wanted to fight the 12th round even with cuts all over his head. And afterward, even in considerable pain, he thought the right thing to do was to appear at the post-fight news conference and did so. Immediately afterward, he was taken to a hospital.

MOST STUBBORN

Gary Shaw The amiable promoter reitereated Saturday that he won’t allow Darchinyan, his fighter, to try to avenge his knockout loss to Nonito Donaire because Donaire left Shaw and signed with Top Rank. C’mon Gary, make the fight, make some money, make the fans happy and watch as your current fighter knocks out your former fighter.

MOST FRUSTRATED

Andre Ward: Henry Buchanan had decent credentials going into his fight with the 2004 Olympic gold medalist but rolled over on Saturday in Lamoore, Calif. Understandably, Ward, creeping up in the rankings, is dying to take on a big-name opponent who will fight back to he can establish himself as a major player and start making truly big money.

BIGGEST LOSER:

Henry Buchanan: Some fighters would relish the chance to knock off an Olympic champion and make a name for himself in the process. Not Buchanan. He was reluctant even to engage Ward, losing 120-108 on all cards. The result was a stinker of a fight.

MOST GRACEFUL

Joe Calzaghe: The unbeaten RING light heavyweight champion simply told the BBC he was through fighting. He didn’t make a big production out of it – no big news conference, no ostentatious public appearance. He just said enough is enough and quietly walked away. Classy.

MOST CLASS

Chad Dawson and Jermain Taylor: The light heavyweight and super middleweight stars, who both coveted what would’ve been a lucrative fight against Calzaghe, issued statements supporting Calzaghe in his decision and congratulating him on a wonderful career.

BIGGEST UPSET

Yusaf Mack: The former super middleweight contender seemed to be a few weight classes smaller than Chris Henry, his foe Saturday in Salisbury, Md., yet won the fight with his quickness, boxing skills and a right hand that found its mark throughout the fight. It was a big victory for Mack, who is now in position to challenge bigger-name fighters.

BEST CARD

Azteca America show: The main event between Jesus Soto-Karass and Carson Jones on Saturday in Maywood, Calif., was as thrilling as any fight this weekend. The entertainment didn’t stop there, though. The card was compelling from top to bottom. Those with access to Azteca America – I’m not even sure whether I do – witnessed a world-class show.

BEST QUOTE

Bob Arum, Arce’s promoter: “He’s a gutty guy, and considering he has no clue how to fight a left-hander, I think he did well to stay in there. ÔǪ I talked to them about it before the fight, and they told me they were teaching him and this and that. But he was moving the wrong way. It’s basic boxing. Give him a training camp with someone like Freddie Roach, who I think is the best trainer, and it’s a different fighter.” Arce circled to his right throughout his fight against Darchinyan – directly into the champion’s left hand.

Michael Rosenthal can be reached at [email protected]