MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino wished Nonito “the Filipino Flash” Donaire Jr. luck on his scheduled boxing match with Mexican Jorge “Travieso” Arce at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas on Saturday (Sunday morning in Manila).
Aquino expressed confidence that Donaire would prevail and keep his WBO super bantamweight championship crown.
Donaire dedicated his bout to Aquino’s mother, the late President Corazon Aquino.
The incumbent President hoped Donaire would achieve all of his dreams, but that he should also be aware of the time when to step down, just like what he told world-renowned Filipino champion Manny Pacquiao.
Donaire wore yellow trunks in 2009 when he fought Panamanian Rafael Concepcion.
It has been said Donaire wants to avenge the loss of Pacquiao to Juan Manuel Marquez – also a Mexican – last week, although Donaire denied he is “looking for revenge.”
The Donaire-Arce bout again pits the Philippines against Mexico. Donaire is 29 years old while Arce is three years older. Both fighters have four titles under their belts.
Though Arce refused to say who will emerge as the winner between him and his “good friend” Donaire, he merely declared that he is more than ready to fight the Filipino flash.
Arce hinted the match would be a repetition of sorts to that of Pacquiao being knocked out by Marquez.
“I’ve prepared like never before. I want to tell you that what happened with Pacquiao and Marquez will happen again. The new surprise. I’ll always have Houston in my heart. This is going to be a memorable victory,” Arce warned through an interpreter.
Donaire countered: “I respect the man. When I respect somebody, I want to fight them. When I want to fight them that means I have to train my butt off for every situation. It won’t go the distance. Dec. 15, it’s going to get hot in here.”