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Nonito Donaire turned in yet another superb performance as the “Filipino Flash” retained his WBO super bantam crown with a stunning third round KO of former champion Jorge Arce at the Toyota Center in Houston, TX.
The battle of highly decorated multi-weight world champions had been highly anticipated with the mobility and power of Donaire pitted against the heart and pressure of Arce.
That scenario played out exactly once the bell rang with Arce, a former WBO/WBC light fly, WBO bantam and super bantam titlist looking for a way inside against the taller Donaire, who has held the IBF/IBO flyweight, WBC/WBO bantam and IBF super bantam.
The first frame was fairly uneventful, with the boxers feeling each other out, trying out various strategies but nothing much developed.
In the second, Arce tried to close distance with reaching jabs and wide power shots which were easily avoided by Donaire, who was able to counter with crisp shots that were clearly felt by the Mexican veteran.
A combination head clash and punch exchange caused Arce to be counted for a knockdown in the second but the Los Mochis man beat the count and rode out the remainder of the round.
The third frame saw Arce take more chances after landing a couple of lefts and rights, but that just opened him up to Donaire’s combinations and Arce was again counted for a knockdown in the closing seconds of the round.
The Mexican icon refused to take a step back, however, banging on his chin and exhorting Donaire to brawl in the trenches. The crafty Filipino obliged with a left hook that beat Arce’s right hand to the target, nailing “Travieso” flush on the jaw.
It was a perfect shot, violently swiveling the challenger’s head and knocking out Arce before he even hit the canvas as referee Laurence Cole waved off matters at 2:59 of the third.
Donaire improves to 31-1 (20), retaining his WBO belt for the third time while Arce falls to 61-7 (2).
With the victory, Donaire is likely off to a well deserved rest after engaging in his fourth bout of the year but 2013 could contain lucrative unification matches with either hard-nosed WBC titlist Abner Mares or dangerous WBA champion Guillermo Rigondeaux.
