MANILA, Philippines - Matagal na silang magkaibigan, ngunit sa Disyembre 15 ay tiniyak nina world unified super bantamweight champion Nonito ‘The Filipino Flash’ Donaire, Jr. at Mexican world four-division titlist Jorge Arce na dadanak ang dugo sa Toyota Center sa Houston, Texas.
Ito ang sinabi nina Donaire at Arce sa kanilang pagbisita sa TV Azteca para sa paghaharap nila sa unang pagkaka-taon.
“It just comes down to business,” sabi ni Donaire sa kanilang banggaan ni Arce. “We all respect each other. We respect each other. We’re good friends and we’re always clowning. At the end of it all, we’re going to give each other a big hug.”
“While we’re in there, we’re going to try to tear each other’s head off, just kill each other,” dagdag pa ng kasalukuyang WBO at IBF super bantamweight king.
Tanging ang kanyang WBO super bantamweight title ang itataya ng 29-anyos na si Donaire (30-1-0, 19 KOs) sa kanilang upakan ng 33-anyos na si Arce (60-6-2, 46 KOs).
“Nonito and I are good friends, but unfortunately this is a business,” wika ni Arce. “Expect a Fight of the Year on December 15 and I’m going to win this fight.”
Ang naturang WBO belt ay nakuha ni Donaire matapos talunin si Wilfredo Vazquez Jr. via split decision noong Pebrero kasunod ang panalo kay Jeffrey Mathebula para sa IBF crown noong Hulyo.
Huling binigo ni Donaire si Japanese superstar Toshiaki ‘Speed King’ Nishioka via ninth-round TKO noong Oktubre sa Home Depot Center sa California.
Parehong naghari sina Donaire at Arce sa flyweight, super flyweight, bantamweight at super bantamweight divisions.