LEWKOWICZ TAKES MARCIAL, SONSONA UNDER HIS WING
By Dong Secuya
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 28 Oct 2008
Manila -- Well-known international matchmaker Sampson Lewkowicz has taken promising Filipino prospects Anthony 'Rocky' Marcial and Marvin 'Marvelous' Sonsona under his wing as he promised to guide the two youngsters to the top of the boxing world.
In a dinner he hosted at the posh Mandarin Oriental Hotel Monday night, Lewkowicz laid down a roadmap for the two undefeated boxers where they could challenge for world titles in a couple of years.
The veteran matchmaker, who was credited for discovering an unknown Filipino fighter in Manny Pacquiao in 2001 by giving Pacquiao his first fight in America against former world champion Lehlohonolo Ledwaba and who also guided the careers of Rey Bautista, Z Gorres and AJ Banal to become world title contenders, had lectured the two prospects about the promises and pitfulls of the fight game during the two-hour dinner meeting.
Marcial, 5'9", currently fighting in the super featherweight division, has an immaculate record of 10 wins with 9 knockouts while Sonsona, 5'7" and fighting as a flyweight, has an equally impressive undefeated resume of 9 wins 8 of which were coming by way of knockout.
In attendance during the meeting were Angel and Joven Jimenez, the father and son tandem who manage Marcial, Marcial's trainer Tony Pacopia, Sonsona's manager Dr. Rajan Yraola, Sonsona's trainer Jun Agrabio and well-known promoter Samson Gello-ani. Also in attendance were young Baguio promoter Brico Santing and boxing manager Nonoy Ariscon.
Lewkowicz, known as the 'Picasso' of boxing, had opposed the bringing of the duo to America at this early stage of their careers and instead told his handlers to make the couple establish a name first in the Philippines. He told them that the two youngsters will most likely start fighting in the Virgin Islands starting next year.
Gello-ani, who had spotted the talents of Marcial and Sonsona early on, announced during the meeting that Sonsona will see action on Nov. 30 in a Mandaue card and will also see action on a yet to be finalized December card. Marcial will see action in a January card most likely challenging reigning WBO Oriental featherweight champion Eric Canoy of Zamboanga City.
Top photo: International matchmaker Sampson Lewkowicz (C) poses with Filipino prospects Marvin Sonsona (L) and Anthony Marcial Monday night at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Makati City, Philippines.
Lewkowicz (L) with Sonsona, Dr. Rajan Yraola and trainer Jun Agrabio.
L-R: Sonsona's trainer Jun Agrabio, Sonsona's manager Dr. Rajan Yraola, Sonsona, Lewkowicz, Marcial, Marcial's manager Angel Jimenez and trainer Tony Pacopia pose at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel lobby after their meeting Monday night.
Photos by Dong Secuya.
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