Donaire’s great win is also a big redemption for the Filipinos who were downed with Pacquaio’s loss last week.
By MARILOU AGUIRRE-TUBURAN
Davao Today
DAVAO CITY, Philippines — “Donaire is the new ‘Pacman’ of Pinoy professional boxing!”
Thus declared local sports analyst Ram Maxey after the Filipino Flash Nonito Donaire Jr. showed a stunning performance when the boxer knocked out the Mexican Jorge Arce with a crackling left hand, exactly a second before the third round ends, in a fight for the World Boxing Organization Super Bantamweight belt Saturday (Sunday in the Philippines) at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas, USA.
“Nonito was more superior to Arce in strength, speed, technique and skill. He was a better all-around fighter. No way could Arce win,” Maxey told davaotoday.com.
Last Sunday, when Manny Pacquiao was unexpectedly knocked out by Juan Manuel Marquez, Donaire was quick to assure the shocked Filipino boxing fans for a good news with his fight against Arce. This as he defended the eight-time world division pound-for-pound champion from his detractors which included American Pop star Justin Bieber.
“Getting knocked out ain’t a laughing matter. It takes balls to be in that ring and we all pray at the end of the day no one gets seriously injured,” was the message posted by Donaire in his Twitter account (@filipinoflash) after the Pacquiao-Marquez fight.
With this victory against Arce, Donaire has completed and without a doubt dominated his 2012 four-fight tour of duty, beating worthy opponents Wilfredo Vazquez, Jeffrey Mathebula and Toshiaka Nishioka.
Donaire’s great win is also a big redemption for the Filipinos who were downed with Pacquaio’s loss last week.
“Nonito showed admirable skill, discipline, strength and courage. He will bring pride to us for many years to come,” said Vice President Jejomar Binay in his Twitter account (@VPJojoBinay).
Donaire’s boxing record has improved to 31-1 with 20 knockouts while Arce ended with an impressive 61-7-2 with 46 knockouts.
In his post-fight interview, Arce announced his retirement, saying he’d promised his kids he would if he losses over Donaire, “I am going to go home now and watch on television. But don’t worry, I’ll still be around as I intended to be a commentator!”
Arce also showed high respect to Donaire, saying, “I thought I could have done better. But there’s no shame in losing to the best.”
In his pre-fight message, Donaire said “Arce is a tremendous fighter. When I do respect somebody, I have to fight them.”
Even with a problem with his left hand from a fight with Nishioka, Donaire was still able to throw his powerful left hook. “I’m a warrior. Even if my bones break in different places, I’m there to fight no matter what. I’m going to throw no matter what,” he said post-fight.
In a pre-fight interview by RingTV.com, Donaire said he’s going to be the “smarter guy.”
“No matter how tough the other guy is. I’m going to go out there prepared because I know what to do in a step-by-step process. I just go out there and execute the game plan. I believe that if you set the trap, no matter how tough they are, somehow, they’ll fall,” Donaire told the RingTV.com.
Donaire, indeed, proved to the world why’s he’s worthy to be in the top 10 pound-for-pound standing.
TopRank promoter Bob Arum said he’s going to have a hard time looking for opponents for Donaire, saying, “They might be afraid with the way he’s punched out Arce and all his opponents this year.”
After the fight with Arce, Donaire said he’s going to rest for a while as he’s been “fighting so much this year.”
“I hope I lifted your spirits through these times of trials and wish blessing and Happiness this Christmas. Mabuhay Pilipinas!,” Donaire’s message on Twitter. (Marilou Aguirre-Tuburan/davaotoday.com)
