Arce looms as Donaire foe

MANILA, Philippines - Former IBF flyweight champion Nonito Donaire Jr. is looking for a credible opponent and if Top Rank confirms his slot in the undercard of Manny Pacquiao’s next fight on Nov. 13, Mexican warrior Jorge Arce might just fit the bill.

Donaire, who is in Manila with wife Rachel, said he spoke with his Las Vegas manager Cameron Dunkin in an overseas call the other day and suggested to locate Arce since WBC bantamweight titlist Fernando Montiel appears to be ducking him.

“I’ve been calling out Montiel for months but he’s ignoring me,” said Donaire. “Not that he’s afraid of me. I’m just stating the facts. Instead of responding to my challenge, he’s talking about fighting (Vic) Darchinyan whom I knocked out. Why isn’t he answering my call? He’s linked to Top Rank as I am so it shouldn’t be difficult to get us together unless Montiel is avoiding me.”

Donaire said for sure, Arce won’t back off from a bout unlike Montiel.

“If Manny takes on Antonio Margarito next, it would be my honor to fight in the undercard and Arce would be a perfect opponent to keep the Philippines versus Mexico rivalry as a common theme,” said Donaire. “It wouldn’t matter where the card is staged – in Mexico or Dallas or wherever. Arce has never lost to a Filipino. I want to be the first Filipino to beat him.”

Arce, 31, is a former WBC and WBO lightflyweight champion with a 55-6-1 record, including 42 KOs (11 in the first round) since turning pro in 1996. Among his victims are Filipinos Juanito Rubillar (twice, both on points), Fernando Lumacad (KO3), Joma Gamboa (KO2), Carmelo Caceres (KO2) and Jovan Presbiterio (KO2). He’s coming off a first round disposal of former WBA superflyweight ruler Martin Castillo last July 31.

“Arce is an explosive and exciting fighter,” said Donaire. “We could fight at the bantamweight limit. I had difficulty making weight for my last interim WBA superflyweight title defense against (Hernan) Marquez. A few hours before the weigh-in, I was 2 1/2 pounds over the limit. I went on the treadmill, did some walking around and in 20 minutes, I was down to 115. But it took a toll on my legs during the fight. I never recovered the weight that I lost.”

Donaire, 27, said he hopes to discuss his booking in the Nov. 13 undercard when he travels to Japan with Pacquiao and Gov. Chavit Singson on Aug. 26-29. “Rachel and I were invited to join Manny in the trip,” said Donaire. “We’ve never been to Japan and we’re looking forward to it. But more than anything, it’s a privilege to be with Manny who’s a symbol of Filipino greatness.”

Donaire’s chief strategist Robert Garcia, a former IBF superfeatherweight champion who is an American of Mexican descent, is Margarito’s trainer. If Margarito is confirmed as Pacquiao’s next opponent and Donaire is booked in the undercard, it will be double corner work for Garcia.

Donaire said while he’s on vacation in Manila, he’s keeping in shape. “I’m doing exercises early morning every day,” he said. “I’ve got over two whole months to prepare for my next fight. Against Marquez, I felt I was tested. I hurt my left leg in training and couldn’t put weight on it so I worked on fighting southpaw. In the gym, I was like Marvin Hagler and Pernell Whitaker. My sparmates Glenn Gonzales and Steven Luevano couldn’t touch me and I had power to go with my speed. Marquez, however, was a lot shorter than Glenn or Steve. I started out fighting southpaw but in the fifth round, he popped me with an uppercut on my nose and I got teary-eyed. That was when I told myself enough is enough. I switched to orthodox, dropped him and finished him off in the eighth. The guy was tough, like a small Arce.”

Donaire said interim WBO bantamweight champion Eric Morel, WBO superbantamweight titleholder Wilfredo Vazquez, Jr. and WBO featherweight king Juan Manuel Lopez – all Puerto Ricans – are possible opponents in the future.

“I fought Marquez in San Juan,” said Donaire. “Rachel and I stayed four more days in Puerto Rico after the fight and we loved it. All I want is a title shot. Vazquez will surely be willing to fight me because I’ll have to go up to 122 pounds to challenge him. Lopez is another option even if he’s in the 126-pound division. I stood beside him in a press conference and I was surprised I was taller than him. I’m ready to fight anyone my manager puts in front of me.”

The Donaires were in Boracay last weekend to celebrate their second wedding anniversary. They were married in a private civil ceremony in Carmel, California, two years ago but plan a Catholic wedding in Alabang next year.

Since flying in three weeks ago, Donaire has been busy attending to commitments as a GMA Network talent. He has appeared in an episode of the sit-com TV series “Show Me The Manny” and in several talk and game shows. Donaire was feted in a motorcade by Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim and paid a 45-minute call on President Aquino at Malacanang.