SONSONA UNDERDOG IN IBO TITLE FIGHT
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 31 Jan 2008
Philippine super flyweight champion Eden Sonsona is an underdog in his IBO bantamweight title fight against South Africa?s Silence Mabuza when they clash at Emperors Palace Casino, Kempton Park, Gauteng province on Saturday.
Respected boxing writer Rpn Jackson of Super Sport says Sonsona has "not fought at the same level as the South African and the only recognizable name on his record is Eric Barcelona whom he beat on a split decision."
Jackson noted that the Filipino champion has fought mostly as a super flyweight and has only three wins inside the distance which he claims "indicates that he is not a big puncher."
However, boxing man Gerry Garcia who is one of the associates of Rod Nazario whose son Romel manages Sonsona said the youngster can pull a surprise and the title fight will be a gateway for international recognition.
Sonsona who trained in Baguio City to prepare him for the high-altitude in Gauteng which is over 5,750 feet above sea level, has a record of 14-2 with 3 knockouts while the 30 year old Mabuza has a record of 20-2 with 16 knockouts.
Super Sport said Mabuza "should win inside the distance" and move on to challenge for one of the major belts and would be in with " a good chance" against IBF champion Joseph Agbeko from Ghana.
Sonsona was accompanied to South Africa by his father/trainer and his manager Nazario. Also in the delegation was Gabriel "Bebot" Elorde whose boxer, undefeated Raymund Sermona (10-0-3, 6 KO?s) was scheduled to fight former IBO super bantamweight champion Takalani Ndlovu (27-4, 14 KO?s) on the undercard.
While Sermona hasn?t beaten any fighter of note Ndlovu scored a split decision over Ricardo Castillo in an IBF title eliminator on December 1, 2006 before losing by a 9th round TKO to Steve Molitor in an IBF title fight on July 14 last year.
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