MANILA, Philippines – Filipino star Nonito Donaire came home with his 30th victory in a row on Saturday, December 15 (Sunday, December 16 Manila time) when he succesfully defended the World Boxing Organization super bantamweight crown against Mexican veteran Jorge Arce.

Donaire knocked out Arce in the 3rd round with a tremendous left hook, dropping Arce to the canvas for the second time in that round. This, after Donaire dominated the whole fight since the opening bell and knocking down Arce with a short right the round before.

The victory was much welcomed after world champion Manny Pacquiao suffered a devastating knockout loss to Mexican fighter Juan Manuel Marquez last weekend, dampening the spirit of Filipino boxing fans.

Before this bout, Donaire beat South African Jeffrey Mathebula last July and Japan’s Toshiaki Nishioka in October after taking the title with a split decision last February over Puerto Rico’s Wilfredo Vazquez.

The bout was Donaire’s 4th of the year.

“My speed is there. My power is there so he needs to keep a distance,” said Donaire before the fight.

Arce, who at 33 gave away three years to his larger opponent, predicted this will be the high point of his boxing career, one that has seen him go 61-6 with two drawn and 46 knockouts.

“I’m excited because it will be the best fight of my life,” Arce said beforehand. “I’m not going to make any predictions for this fight, just a promise that it will be a great fight.”

After the fight, Arce announced his retirement and said he would take care of his family.

Donaire has not been beaten since 2001 in the second fight of his career. – Rappler.com, with reports from Agence France-Presse