PUERTO RICO VS THE PHILIPPINES: THE NEXT RIVALRY
By Rene Bonsubre, Jr.
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 06 Aug 2009
Manny Pacquiao’s exploits against Mexican boxers for the past six years ignited a riveting rivalry and a boxing “World Cup” match-up. Now, another rivalry is fast shaping up as Filipino boxers continue to challenge reigning Puerto Rican world champions.
WBO world super flyweight champion Jose “Carita” Lopez (39-7-2, 32 KOs) of Puerto Rico will make his first title defense against the Philippines’ Marvin Sonsona (13-0, 12 KOs) on September 4th at the Casino Rama, in Rama, Ontario, Canada.
Ivan “Iron Boy” Calderon, the WBO light flyweight world champion (32-0-1, 6 KOs) will then face Rodel Mayol (25-3-1, 19 KOs) in a rematch from their technical draw this past June at the Coliseo Jose Miguel Agrelot in Hato Rey, Puerto Rico on September 12.
There is also the much anticipated battle between pound-per-pound king Manny Pacquiao and WBO welterweight world champion Miguel Cotto on November 14.
Sonsona vs. Lopez is an intriguing match-up of youth versus experience. A 19 year old second year pro against a 37 year old veteran. Trainer Nonito Donaire, Sr. has been tapped to join Team Sonsona and work with trainer Jun Agrabio. Donaire said that he will leave Cebu for Manila this Wednesday evening to join Marvin’s training camp in Quezon City.
Sonsona and Agrabio, together with manager Dr. Rajan Yraola, were in Cebu last Friday as boxers from the Yraola boxing gym fought in the preliminary bouts of the Naga fight card. An interesting but unnoticed sidelight of the event was when Donaire and Agrabio faced each as trainers other across the ring. Donaire was in his nephew Richard Donaire’s corner while Agrabio was in the corner of Nino Suelo. After six hard fought rounds Suelo won by majority decision. Now the two trainers will try to hatch a winning battle plan for Marvin.
The Puerto Ricans are also working together. There is an article in fightnews.com showing Lopez and Calderon sparring and helping each other out in their respective preparations.
Mayol will try to avoid another heart break. This is his fourth attempt at a world title. He was almost there last June but cuts on Calderon’s forehead inflicted by head butts interrupted the action and lead to the stoppage of the fight. The final score line became a subject of debate here in the Philippines as many local boxing pundits thought Mayol did enough to win.
The Pacquiao-Cotto match up continues to fill the local sports pages because of the debates on whether it should be a title fight or not and the proposed catch-weight. Puerto Rico is a genuine boxing powerhouse, having produced legendary champions like Carlos Ortiz, Wilfredo Gomez, Wilfred Benitez and Felix Trinidad.
The late great Flash Elorde has an interesting history against Puerto Rican boxers. In 1964 and 1966 he lost by 14th round stoppage to Carlos Ortiz in his bids to win a second world title at lightweight. In 1965, Elorde fought at the Madison Square Garden in New York against Puerto Rican Frankie Narvaez. Elorde won by split decision, sparking a full-scale riot by the predominantly Puerto Rican crowd and the mayhem spilled over into the streets.
Last April 2009, Gerry Penalosa lost to Puerto Rican Juan Manuel Lopez in his bid to win a third world title. Can Sonsona, Mayol and Pacquiao turn things around for the Philippines?
Top photo: Puerto Rico's Carita Lopez (L) and the Philippines' Marvin Sonsona.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rene Bonsubre, Jr..
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