Donaire defends title today: Hopes to salvage some Pinoy pride after Pacquiao's stunning loss to Marquez

CEBU, Philippines - Four-division world champion Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire, Jr. (30-1, 19KOs) hopes to salvage some Pinoy pride when he puts his WBO super bantamweight title on the line against Mexican veteran Jorge Arce (61-6-2, 46 KOs) today at the Toyota Center, the home of the NBA's Houston Rockets, in Texas.

On top of risking his belt and gunning for his 30th straight win, Donaire bears a tougher mission of pulling off a decisive triumph to somehow soothe the grieving hearts of the Pinoys a week after Manny Pacquiao's devastating knockout defeat at the hands of Mexican great Juan Manuel Marquez.

“I'm just going to do the best that I can like I always do,” Donaire told the Houston Chronicle. “But at the same time, I hope the Philippines can be happy with my performance.”

The 30-year-old Donaire has earlier indicated the bout won’t go the full 12-round distance and that he is loaded with enough firepower in his offensive arsenal to knock the lights off Arce, who is also a four-time world champion in different weight classes.

“My speed is there. My power is there so he needs to keep a distance. But he needs to be in front of me all the time, so it's going to be a war. That's what Arce needs to do because that's the only way he can win,” said Donaire, who is highly regarded as the heir apparent to the legendary Pacman.

Arce, for his part, was reluctant to make any predictions except for saying that he has prepared hard for this match because he treats Donaire with utmost respect both as a person and as a fighter.

“I know how hard I worked for this fight, I know that I'm ready, and that's all I have to think about. Because of the respect and admiration I have for him, I've prepared like never before,” said Arce.

They maybe rivals in the ring but Donaire and Arce have formed a bond over the years.

“We're good friends, we go to fights and see each other, and we even go to dinner together with our wives,” Arce said.

But today, Donaire and Arce will set aside first their friendship to take care of one important business inside the ring so fans could expect an explosive war between the two great warriors. (FREEMAN)