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Big super bantam clash tonight in Houston, TX as WBO kingpin Nonito Donaire puts his belt on the line against Mexico’s fiery fan favorite and former WBO titlist Jorge Arce at the Toyota Center.
Donaire, 30-1 (19), has been busy in 2012, winning the vacant WBO crown with a split decision over Wilfredo Vasquez in February, a points title defense against Jeffrey Mathebula in July and then a dominating stoppage defense against Toshiaki Nishioka in October.
Arce, 61-6-2 (46), has also had three appearances this year, starting off with a fifth round KO of Lorenzo Parra in a rematch in February, a two round no decision against Jesus Rojas in June and a ten round unanimous decision over Mauricio Martinez in August.
Donaire will have a lot of advantages going into tonight’s fight; youth, speed, power, height and reach. The one area that Arce could have an edge in is the heart department.
But, in order to prove that he has the greater will to win, Arce will have to show that he can take Donaire’s heavy artillery as the Mexican will no doubt be getting hit early and often.
Arce definitely won’t be there to try and outbox “The Filipino Flash”, so in order to come out of this contest with possession his old WBO title, he’ll have to use educated pressure, getting inside and putting Donaire on the defensive but at the same time avoiding getting nailed on the way in.
To retain his title, Donaire needs to keep Arce at the end of the jab, landing power shots to take away Arce’s confidence and perhaps force a stoppage if he can get the challenger hurt.
Arce has produced plenty of upsets during his career but it’s unlikely he can pull it off once again against one of the sport’s pound for pound best.
However the bout unfolds, it should be a good one for as long as it lasts between Donaire, who has won five world titles in three different weight classes and Arce, who has won five world titles at four different weight classes.
