Jorge Arce Wins WBO Title: Is Nonito Donaire Next?

Standing in front of his adoring Mexican fans, Jorge Arce celebrated not only his new WBO bantamweight title, but also the possibility of a huge fight with pound-for-pound contender Nonito Donaire.

Arce won a comfortable decision on all three cards, but could have had an easier night against Angky Angkotta. Arce made unconvincing start in which Angkotta put him under unrelenting pressure. This worked against the Indonesian; twice he was on the verge of hitting the canvas in the third.

In the middle rounds, Arce began to build a lead, controlling Angkotta as he came forward. Angkotta rattled both Arce and the Mexican fans in the eighth when he visibly hurt the favourite.

Arce would regain some energy and come back strongly in the 11th. Punch after punch rained down from the Mexican and left Angkotta clinging to the ropes.

In a frantic 12th round, Angkotta went hell for leather. He went for the knockout to avenge his loss to Arce when the pair met at the junior bantamweight in 2010.

There would be no revenge, however. Arce managed to hold on for a unanimous decision.

The question is: Where will Arce go from here?

He could be in for the biggest fight of his life against the second best boxer in the Philippines. People may argue that Arce will not stand a chance against Donaire, but this win puts him squarely in the frame.

The favourite to fight Donaire next is Wilfredo Vazquez Jr., who lost a fight of the year to Arce in May. The other name widely mentioned has been South African IBF Champion Takalani Ndlovu.

By winning his fifth title in as many weights, Arce can now wait to move back up and face the winner of Nonaire's next fight. After this latest brutal fight, hopefully Arce can earn a big payday.