HOUSTON—Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire will go for a knockout when he stakes his WBO super bantamweight crown against Mexican Jorge Arce on Saturday (Sunday in Manila) at Toyota Center here.
“The fight’s not going to go the distance,” Donaire said during Tuesday’s public workout.
The power-punching Donaire, who totes a 30-1 record with 19 knockouts, has been installed the favorite mainly due to his ninth round TKO of Japanese Toshiaki Nishioka recently.
“I never talk crap. I set the example,” said Donaire. “I do my talking inside the ring. I believe that being a professional boxer means you have to carry yourself well.”
Donaire, whose knuckles bled during his ninth round win against Nishioka last October, said he was willing to do battle with Arce (61-6-2 with 46 knockouts) anywhere.
“Honestly, I was going to fight him in Mexico, so I’d fight him anywhere. My main concern is to knock him out.”
Arce, a four-division world champion, relishes the underdog tag.
“It’s motivation for the fight,” he said. “Everyone thinks I’m going to get beat, but I’m going to surprise them.”
Arce will draw inspiration from his compatriot Juan Manuel Marquez’s knockout victory over Filipino hero Manny Pacquiao last Saturday in Las Vegas.
Marquez is reportedly flying in from Mexico to watch Donaire and Arce mix it up.
Arce also wants to fulfill a promise he made to his son.
“I told my son, who is going to be one-year-old on Saturday, that after I beat this guy, I’m taking him to Disney!”