by Ronnie Nathanielsz
American trainer Richard “Rick” Stehaley believes WBO/IBF super bantamweight champion Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire will whip Jorge “Travieso” Arce in their planned October 20th clash at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
Stahaley, who trained Manny Pacquiao when he won his first world title in December 1998, told BoxingScene.com/Manila Standard that while Donaire didn’t have top performances in his last three title fights - he believes “Arce is the perfect guy to get him back in the driver’s seat.”
He said - “I love Jorge Arce, he’s really fun to watch and is one of my favorite fighters but I think Nonito is going to really smash him. I think he’s going to knock him out for sure.”
Stahaley said that while Arce comes to fight, the devastating left hook counter with which Donaire ended the fights against Vic Darchinyan and Fernando “Cochulito” Montiel and Jeffrey Mathebula - would be the key.
However, the trainer noted that Donaire - “is actually relying too much on his counter-punching but if he boxes more he’s going to have an easier time. He is trying to put on five-star performances every time he goes into the ring and for him a five-star performance is to finish the fight early.”
He said - “I think Arce is going to go down on his sword but he’s going to be tailor-made for Nonito. Arce is going to come to fight and Nonito is going to catch him.”
