Garcia confident his ward will score knockout

HOUSTON, Texas—It could be long, it could be short.

But one thing is sure, the knockout will come and Nonito Donaire will deliver it. Not Jorge Arce.

This was  the bold declaration of Robert Garcia, Donaire’s chief trainer,  Friday at PlazAmericas here.

While praising Arce for his brawling and no-surrender style, Garcia said Donaire is too good technically and too strong a puncher for Arce  in their battle for the WBO super bantamweight crown on Saturday (Sunday in Manila) at Toyota Center here.

Garcia, who regards Donaire as the most skilled Filipino fighter ahead of eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao, said his ward  is so technically gifted he doesn’t require direct attention from him.

Owing to his busy schedule, Garcia said he couldn’t be with Donaire most of the time.

So he just makes a program and let his assistants attend to Donaire.

They’ll consult with each other from time to time, through mobile phones and texting, but Garcia said he trusts Donaire to be able to make the adjustments necessary.

The moment he sees an opponent commit a mistake, Donaire is sure to pounce on it.

One false move and it will be over for Arce.