Chavez Jr. picks Donaire over Arce

LAS VEGAS – Middleweight contender Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. said yesterday if ever Nonito Donaire Jr. takes on newly crowned WBO superbantamweight champion Jorge Arce, the Filipino Flash would win by a knockout.

 “Donaire’s younger,” said Chavez who was at ringside when Arce came from behind to stop Wilfredo Vazquez Jr. at 0:55 of the 12th round to wrest the WBO 122-pound title in the Manny Pacquiao-Sugar Shane Mosley undercard at the MGM Grand Garden Arena here Saturday night (yesterday morning, Manila). “He throws a lot of combinations. I think Donaire’s too good at this stage.”

 But Mexican sportscaster Carlos Aguilar had a different opinion. “Jorge is a body banger and a very experienced fighter,” he said. “I think Donaire against Arce will be a really good fight. But don’t count out Arce. He’s a fighter with a big heart and I’m not sure about Donaire’s heart.”

 Arce, 31, was decked by a left hook in the fourth round and looked like he wouldn’t be able to match Vazquez’ staying power in the late going. He was behind on two of the three judges’ scorecards after the 10th round. But Arce refused to give up. He regrouped and in a furious assault in the 12th round, battered a helpless Vazquez prompting the Puerto Rican’s corner to throw in the towel.

 Referee Joe Cortez didn’t stop it on his own. Only after Vazquez’ trainer, his father, surrendered did Cortez wave it off. For Arce, it was a significant triumph of the human spirit.

 With blood trickling from a cut on the side of his nose, Arce never eased the pressure in relentlessly attacking Vazquez. He found his second wind and blasted Vazquez into submission with plenty to spare.

 “I’m a Mexican warrior,” declared Arce. “I never surrender. I have a big heart. Every day, I trained hard for this fight. I know that if I put my mind into winning, I will win. It’s all about positive mentality. It’s all in the mind and God was on my side. Two years ago, I was thinking of retiring. But I proved that nothing is impossible if you put you mind into doing something.”

 Arce has won the world lightflyweight and superflyweight crowns. It was his first attempt to win the superbantamweight crown. Arce is known as a Filipino executioner. He has mowed down all his Filipino opponents – Carmelo Caceres, Jovan Presbitero, Juanito Rubillar twice, Joma Gamboa and Fernando Lumacad.

 Now, Arce wants a rematch with Australia’s Vic Darchinyan who stopped him in the 11th round in 2009. But perhaps a duel with Donaire, the WBC and WBO bantamweight, may be more enticing because of Arce’s reputation as a Filipino tormentor.

 Donaire was absent at ringside. There was a rumor that he applied for a media pass as a photographer but was turned down by Top Rank because of no official designation with a press outfit. Donaire often stays in Las Vegas where he owns a condo unit and trains in Johnny Tocco’s gym with former world superlightweight champion Morris East. 

 Donaire was initially scheduled to face Anselmo Moreno in Atlantic City this month but the fight was scrapped after incurring Top Rank’s ire by signing up with Golden Boy. Top Rank chairman Bob Arum said Donaire’s contract is binding up to 2013. 

 Once Donaire settles his contractual problems, he should be back quickly in the ring. He’s become one of the world’s top boxing attractions. And a fight against Arce would be a humdinger.