Arum confirms Donaire to face Nishioka, not Arce next

AFP

It looks like Mexican toughie Jorge Arce is not as macho as everyone thinks he is.

Top Rank chairman Bob Arum told AKTV on Wednesday morning, moments after his arrival from Los Angeles, that instead of the charismatic Arce, Nonito Donaire’s dance partner in a show penciled on Oct. 13 at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California, will be Japanese top gun Toshiaki Nishioka.

Arum said the budget that HBO gave Top Rank is not enough to finance a super fight involving Arce and Donaire.

“Not sufficient (to stage Donaire against Arce),” said the 80-year-old Arum.

Nishioka, promoted by Japanese tycoon Akihiko Honda, agreed to a smaller purse compared Arce, according to Arum.

Ringsiders say Arce priced himself out of the Donaire fight.

Nishioka is one of boxing’s best-kept secrets and has what it takes to bring down somebody like Donaire owing to his wealth of experience, skills and solid punching power.

Reports from Mexico say that Arce will tune up for Donaire when he fights somebody in the third week of September with a victory priming himself up for the 28-year-old Fil-Am.

Donaire is regarded as one of the world’s finest fighters regardless of weight class.

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