Win avenges Pacquiao’s loss: Donaire KOs Arce

CEBU, Philippines - A week after Manny Pacquiao's stunning knockout loss to Juan Manuel Marquez, the Philippines got a measure of sweet revenge over Mexico after Nonito "The Filipino Flash" Donaire, Jr. pulled off a spectacular third round stoppage of Jorge "Travieso" Arce to retain his WBO super bantamweight title and send the Mexican veteran into retirement yesterday at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.

Donaire's triumph - his 30th straight after suffering his first and only career defeat to Rosendo Sanchez 11 years ago - has brought some joy to millions of Filipinos and at the same time comforted his countrymen after being devastated by Pacquiao's downfall at the hands of Marquez last week in Las Vegas.

“To all the Pinoys all over the world, Salamat and God bless! I hope I lifted your spirits through these times of trials and wish blessing and happiness this Christmas. Mabuhay Pilipinas!," stated Donaire Jr. in his Facebook page after the fight.

Interestingly, Donaire knocked the lights off Arce at 2:59 of round three, exactly the same time Marquez stopped Pacquiao, although in a different round.

The 30-year-old Donaire was at the ringside when Marquez knocked out his friend Pacquiao cold with a powerful right to the jaw with only one second left in round six.  He admitted that he was thinking about that in his fight with Arce.

"There were a lot of fans that said, you got to get him, this is for the Philippines," Donaire said. "But I love Mexico as well. Mexican fighters are tough and I have the best respect for all of them. I'm hoping (the Filipinos) can be proud of what I've done."

Donaire delivered a masterful performance against Arce, a four-division world champion like him who had won 46 bouts via stoppage going into the fight.

Donaire was in command from the outset, decking the Mexican with a solid right straight with about minute into the second round that forced the challenger to touch his gloves and a knee to the canvas.

Donaire still came back charging at the end of the third round and flattened the Mexican again, mainly as a result of a couple of late blows as he stumbled into the ropes.

Arce got up but could not get himself out of danger as Donaire relentlessly went after him, throwing punches from evey angle capped by a powerful left hook to the chin to end the fight right there.

"I went out there and pretty much timed him," Donaire said. "We wanted to slow him down and get him thinking he could get in there. We knew he would open up." "I've never really gone and hit with the left hook, but I knew I was going to go out there and give it everything, no matter what."

Donaire said he would take on either Abner Mares or Guillermo Rigondeaux next. "Bring ‘em all on. I've done what I need to do this year, I'd like Mares because he's calling me out. But if that doesn't happen, we always have Rigondeaux."

The 33-year-old Arce, who fell to 62-7 with two drawn bouts, announced after the match that he was retiring, an example that many feel Pacquiao should follow.

"My career is over. I'm leaving after losing to the best man. He is very good. He has power. He can finish the fight at any moment," said Arce. "I promised my family if I lost I would leave. I retire to go home and watch the fights on TV." "Fortunately, I have taken care of what I have earned through the years."

After the bout, Donaire and Arce both congratulated HBO broadcaster Larry Merchant, who is retiring after 35 years with the premium network.

"Thirty-five years on one show in television? I never imagined that it could go on for that long, because that is not what happens in the entertainment world," said the 81-year-old Merchant, who was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2009. — with AP (FREEMAN)