SONSONA, LOPEZ MEET FACE TO FACE
By Rob Cruz
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 03 Sep 2009
TORONTO -- Team Sonsona is headed to the Rumble at Rama anytime now. At the time I saw Marvin Sonsona?he was a few pounds over his weight limit of 115lbs.? Having met to interview his Manager? Dr. Rajan Yraola and Team Sonsona at the Cabbagetown Boxing club, all were very accommodating with welcoming me and answering any questions I had and it was certainly my pleasure to finally meet the legendary promoter Sammi Gello-Ani in person. ?
I mentioned to Dr. Raj that many fans are eager to know about this young and up and coming GenSan boxer, his style and how he is progressing with his training in Toronto.? It’s been a very usual summer here this year which is cooler than normal but according to Dr. Raj, the time zone difference and the cool weather has not affected Marvin’s training and conditioning.??
I mentioned that Marvin is in the fight of his life against veteran Jose Carita Lopez who has not lost in eight years.? Sonsona is ready and primed to go as I seen him work with his fast hands in motion with Coach Nonito Donire Sr.? Marvin plans to stay at this weight class for a few years, three if possible and you will see that his style boxing could be very close to Nonito Donire jr’s ring savvy as mentioned by Dr. Raj.?
I interviewed Jason Abelson, Fight network journalist and Ed Lee from Atin Ito Filipino-Canadian Media shortly after the presser at the Delta Chelsea Hotel, Gerrard St. location who gave me these quotes from the presser.? For the first time today Jose Carita Lopez and Marvin Sonosa met face to face but there wasn’t a lot said but these are the quotes from the presser from each fighter.
Jose Carita Lopez said:
“I know he is a strong, fast fighter, but I didn’t work this hard to become champion just to give my belt away.”
“I respect my opponent greatly, but with all his skills, it’s nothing I haven’t seen and dealt with before.”
Marvin Sonsona said:
“I know this fight will be a tough one, but I’ve trained hard, and am confident that if I stick to my game plan I’ll come home a champion.”
“Lopez is a tough, tough man. This should be a great fight.”
Sonsona is facing the true test against a battle proven and championship tested warrior from Puerto Rico.? This matchup is a tall task but I believe Marvin has a good chance at snatching the belt from Lopez if he gets the older boxer into trouble early in the fight.? As Team Sonsona heads to Rumble at Rama today, many of us Filipino Canadians will cheer for him and hope that he may be blessed in the ring.
Top photo: Reigning Puerto Rican WBO superfly champion Jose 'Carita' Lopez (L) and Filipino challenger Marvin Sonsona meet in person for the first time during Tuesday's press conference at Chealsea Hotel in Toronto. Photo by Alan Tremblay.
L-R: World champion Jose Lopez, WBO official, Steve Molitor, Marvin Sonsona and promoter Sammy Gello-ani at the Chealsea Hotel in Toronto. Photo by Alan Trembay.
Team Sonsona in Toronto (L-R): Donaire, Sr., Gello-ani, Sonsona, Agrabio and Dr. Yraola.
Sonsona (L) doing the mitts with trainer Nonito Donaire, Sr.
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