MANILA, Philippines – Former WBC lightflyweight champion Jorge (Travieso) Arce of Mexico appears to be the leading candidate as newly crowned interim WBA superflyweight titlist Nonito Donaire Jr.’s next opponent and Top Rank chairman Bob Arum said recently the fight could be the main event of “Pinoy Power 3,” tentatively on Dec. 12 in Las Vegas.
Arce, 30, is set to take on unbeaten South African hotshot Simphiwe Nonggayi for the vacant IBF superflyweight crown in Nuevo Leon, Mexico, on Sept. 15. If Arce wins, he will likely stake the throne against Donaire who is gunning for a second world diadem after relinquishing his IBF and IBO flyweight titles.
Donaire trounced an overweight Rafael Concepcion of Panama to capture the interim WBA 115-pound championship in Las Vegas last Saturday. Concepcion entered the ring weighing 134 pounds to Donaire’s 122 but despite the weight disparity, couldn’t vanquish the Filipino Flash who showed too much class, speed and boxing ability in claiming a unanimous decision.
The interim title, however, doesn’t count as a “regular” title and Donaire, 26, is eager to add another belt to his collection. He surrendered his flyweight titles before facing Concepcion, admitting he had outgrown the 112-pound division.
Arce is favored to whip Nonggayi who last February, floored the Mexican’s younger brother Francisco en route to a win on points before a hostile hometown crowd in Los Mochis. Arce has vowed to avenge his brother’s defeat. But Nonggayi, who boasts a 15-0 record, with six KOs, is no pushover and won’t go away easily.
The Donaire-Arce fight is dependent on the Mexican beating Nonggayi for the IBF title and Donaire getting medical clearance. Doctors will examine Donaire’s swollen left hand, which he banged up against Concepcion, this week.
Donaire, who arrived in Manila for an extended stay last Tuesday morning, said Arce is a tough opponent but he’s confident of repulsing the rugged Mexican who has never lost to a Filipino. Arce has so far beaten Filipinos Carmelo Caceres (KO2), Juanito Rubillar (twice on points), Joma Gamboa (KO2) and Fernando Lumacad (KO3).
Arce stands 5-7 and has a 67-inch wingspan, compared to Donaire who is 5-6 with a 68-inch reach. His record is 52-5-1, with 40 KOs, and he has won six of his last seven bouts, the only loss a retirement on cuts against Vic Darchinyan in the 11th round last February. Two of the six wins were over Concepcion (TKO9) and former WBC flyweight champion Medgeon 3-K Battery (KO1), who once halted Manny Pacquiao.
Donaire’s trainer Dodie Boy Pe?alosa said Arce is tailor-made for the General Santos City star.
“Jun-Jun (Donaire’s nickname) is more comfortable fighting someone who’s just about his height because that’s where his jabs and combinations are more effective,” said Pe?alosa. “He has a harder time against smaller opponents like Concepcion. Arce is perfect for Jun-Jun. He likes to pressure, like Concepcion, and comes charging in. Jun-Jun will pick him apart. Concepcion was a good practice for Arce. Jun-Jun will stop Arce either on cuts or by a clear knockout.”
As interim WBA champion, Donaire should be next in line to challenge regular titleholder Nobuo Nashiro of Japan. But Nashiro, who is on his second reign as WBA champion, is booked to take on another Los Mochis fighter Hugo Cazares in Osaka on Sept. 30. Nashiro, 27, has a 13-1 record, with eight KOs. Donaire said he’ll fight Nashiro anytime, anywhere.
Curiously, the WBA “super” superflyweight champion is Darchinyan whom Donaire knocked out two years ago. The WBA designates a “super” champion if he is recognized by the other governing bodies as the undisputed or unified titlist. Darchinyan held the WBA, WBC and IBF superflyweight titles before losing to Joseph Agbeko in a bid for the IBF bantamweight crown last July. He decided to keep the WBA and WBC versions but gave up the IBF throne to pave the way for his fight against Agbeko. The vacant IBF title is now in Arce’s sights.
Donaire said there’s no way any fighter, including Arce, can beat him in a fair fight where they check in within the 115-pound limit. Concepcion was an exception because he scaled 4 1/2 pounds over the limit and outweighed Donaire by 12 pounds when they met in the ring. It was like a superflyweight facing a featherweight.
