There’s no need to play make believe. What Nonito Donaire did on Saturday was not impressive. He knocked out a fighter he was supposed to in about the easy fashion anyone could have expected. Jorge Arce has been a fun fighter for years. He hasn’t been a particularly good one in a very long time.
Both fought at a measured pace before Donaire exploded in round three, landing 45% of his power shots, dropping Arce for the count.
By Jake Donovan - Last year, Nonito Donaire established himself as one of the best fighters in the world. Earlier this year, his pro-random drug testing actions made him the cleanest fighter in the world. After stopping Jorge Arce in his tracks on Saturday night, Donaire established himself as 2012’s top fighter in the world. A capped a career year in which Donaire won belts in a fourth weight class while scoring wins over four universally regarded Top 10 opponents. Included among the lot was his 9th round stoppage win over Toshiaki Nishioka to gain recognition as the lineal 122 lb. champion. Despite once again damaging his hands in the bout, Donaire healed quick enough to return to the ring just two months later for his fourth fight of the year. All four bouts aired live on HBO, and Saturday’s performance was the latest reminder of why Donaire is well worthy of such exposure. All told, his only concern wasn’t so much his opponent but whether or not his right hand would hold up. “We didn’t go hard in sparring except to try out (the right hand),” Donaire admitted. “We were nervous going into this fight, but we were confident no matter what.”
If the retirement sticks, then begin the countdown for Jorge Arce to gain eligibility for eventual induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame. One of the most popular lower weight fighters of all time, the former four-division champ announced his exit from the sport on Saturday evening. The retirement speech came moments after his third round knockout loss to Nonito Donaire at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.
Quintessential professionals, Nonito Donaire, 30-1 (19 KOs), and Jorge Arce, 61-6-2 (46 KOs), refrained from over-hyping the ongoing Mexico-Philippines rivalry prior to their showdown at the Toyota Center in Houston. Despite being prodded and coaxed by the media to fuel the feud in the wake of Juan Manuel Marquez's perfectly-timed right hand that rendered Manny Pacquaio unconscious, both fighters elected to play down the war at large between their respective nations focus instead on the battle at hand.
Houston, Texas --- Nonito "The Filipino Flash" Donaire (R) knocks out Jorge "Travieso" Arce(L) in the 2nd round , Saturday, at Toyota Center from Houston, Texas. --- Photo by Chris Farina/Top Rank.
Toyota Center, Houston, Texas - IBF super bantamweight champion Nonito Donaire (31-1, 20KOs) retained his title with an easy three round knockout over Mexican veteran and former four division beltholder Jorge Arce (61-7-2, 46KOs).
Jorge Arce the busier fighter and lands more punches at a cost. Arce's last three opponents landed 45% of their power shots. The selective Donare lands at the weight class average in power - but has more pop than Arce.
HOUSTON, TX - BoxingScene.com caught with WBO junior featherweight champion Nonito Donaire to get his thoughts on his upcoming fight against former 5 division champion Jorge "Travieso" Arce. Donaire said that he has wanted to face Arce for a long time and is happy that the fight is finally coming to fruition. "I think this a fight that should have happened four years ago. When they gave me the opportunity (to fight Arce) I said yes. I think Arce is a tremendous fighter," Donaire stated.
John Scully (Donaire): "Donaire in a very well-contest split decision over Arce. Maybe it is wishful thinking with Arce. I really like him and hope he can fight to full potential and make it a competitive 12."