Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire (31-1, 20 KOs) retained his WBO super bantamweight championship belt on Saturday night at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas, by knocking out Mexican former multiple division champion Jorge “Travieso” Arce (61-7-2, 46 KOs) in the third round.
The fight started off slow with both guys measuring and timing each other, Donaire came out in his usual counter punching style, while Arce who is known as come forward brawler started off a bit cautious trying to avoid any big punches and trying to feel out the round.
In the second round both fighters started throwing more but it was a right hand from Nonito Donaire that sent Jorge Arce down on the canvas, instead of going for the kill, Donaire went back and fought cautiously trying to pick his shots as Arce showed no signs of being hurt from the knockdown.
Round three was heating up as Arce abandoned caution and started attacking more, the round was back and forth with Donaire getting the better of the exchanges. Donaire landed a thunderous lead left hook that landed flush on Arce’s chin sending him down on the canvas at the end of the third, Referee Lawrence Cole started to count but waved off the fight before finishing the ten count, halting the fight at 2:59.
After the fight Nonito Donaire said he wants to fight either WBC super bantamweight champion Abner Mares or WBA super bantamweight champion Guillermo Rigondeaux next. Jorge Arce humbled in defeated, announced his retirement.
