This Saturday Night: HBO Championship Boxing

Rising Filipino star Nonito Donaire is finally fighting Jorge Arce in a big showdown in the 122 lbs division. If Donaire defeats Arce, he cements his case for being Fighter of the Year for 2012. Donaire’s last win over Nishioka was, at first, uneventful (especially after the epic FOTYC of Rios vs Alvarado) but the finish it provided was satisfying. What was not satisfying was Arce’s fight with Jesus Rojas, a disappointing controversial fight that ended in a “No Contest” after two frames in the Summer. He beat Mauricio Martinez after that fight, but I didn’t see it so I can’t offer any insight into that fight. Let’s hope Donaire vs Arce will provide the goods this Saturday night. If Donaire wins (which he is strongly favored to), it would be great to see him fight the co-headliner to this event, Guillermo Rigondeaux (who is fighting Poonsawat Kratingdaenggym) in 2013.

Also, HBO will be airing an encore presentation of Pacquiao vs Marquez IV. It’s the type of fight that you can watch over and over again, and not get tired.