Arce, Montiel lined up next for champ

MANILA, Philippines - More high-profile fights lie over the horizon for newly crowned WBA interim superflyweight champion Nonito Donaire Jr.

Donaire, who was back in the country yesterday after a grueling 12-round tussle with the rugged Panamanian Rafael Concepcion in Las Vegas last Sunday, revealed that he already has an idea on who his next opponent may be.

“(Top Rank head) Bob Arum gave us two names, Jorge Arce and Fernando Montiel, probably in December,” the soft-spoken Donaire told scribes in a press conference yesterday at the GMA Network Center in Quezon City.

Arce and Montiel, both popular Mexican sluggers, are currently signed to Top Rank Inc. – the same firm handling Donaire – making a fight between the Filipino and either of the two easier to arrange.

Arce, the flamboyant former world flyweight titlist, is known for his come-forward style that is perfectly made for the boxer-puncher Donaire. The same goes for Montiel, who currently holds the WBO interim bantamweight belt.

Both Mexicans are known as hard punchers and have struggled with pure boxers in the past. Arce, for instance, was schooled in his fight against compatriot and former super- flyweight king Cristian Mijareas, a stylish boxer.

Montiel, for his part, had an uneasy outing in his split-decision win over Filipino Z Gorres, also a technical fighter, two years ago in Cebu City.

Of the two, Donaire said he prefers to face Arce next mainly because the latter is campaigning at the superflyweight division, which the champ just entered. A tussle with Montiel is also welcome, Donaire added, citing the “unfinished business” between them.

“I was originally scheduled to face him (Montiel) last April at Araneta (Coliseum). But unfortunately, he couldn’t make weight,” explained Donaire, who ended up fighting – and mercilessly knocking out – Raul Martinez instead.

Nevertheless, Donaire said he is willing to get in the ring with anyone “to prove that he is the best.”

The San Leandro, California-based boxer also reaffirmed his plan to become a multiple-division champion. He entered the fight with Concepcion as the IBF and IBO flyweight titlist.

“I want to prove myself and see how far I can go. If I just stay at my current weight, I won’t be able to meet my goals. I’ll keep on moving up and win titles,” Donaire said. “I’m looking toward 130 to 135 (lbs).”

Against Concepcion, Donaire was able to handle the jump from flyweight (112 lbs) to superflyweight (115 lbs), employing effective footwork and head movement to negate his foe’s plodding style. The Filipino, who made good use of the ring that time to evade Concepcion’s attacks, carved out a unanimous decision victory.    – Dino Maragay, Contributor