SONSONA NOT AWED BY VAZQUEZ JR’S REPUTATION
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 17 Jan 2010
“Marvelous” Marvin Sonsona, the undefeated former WBO super flyweight champion who has moved up to super bantamweight isn’t awed by the reputation of Wilfredo Vazquez Jr whom he battles for the vacant WBO title in Vazquez’ hometown of Bayamon, Puerto Rico.
Sonsona whose training was slightly delayed has worked hard since he arrived in San Francisco and began his preparation under Nonito Donaire Sr, regarded by Filipinos at least as one of the best in the business having steered his son Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire to the IBF/IBO flyweight titles with a spectacular 5th round knockout of Vic Darchinyan, Sonsona himself to the WBO super flyweight crown against Jose “Carita” Lopez also of Puerto Rico and Johnreil Casimiro to the WBO light flyweight interim title against fancied Cesar Canchilla of Colombia.
Sonsona who trains at the Kennel Boxing Gym in San Leandro has a record of 14-0-1 with 12 knockouts while Vazquez Jr, son of the legendary former world champion Wilfredo Vazquez has a record of 17-0 with 14 knockouts.
In his last fight Vazquez Jr put on a superb showing against Genaro Garcia to win the WBO Latino interim title by a 7th round TKO on November 20, 2009 after earlier scoring a 2nd round knockout of Mexico’s Cecilio Santos who last Thursday was knocked out in the 4th round by Filipino southpaw AJ “Bazooka” Banal at the Waterfront Hotel in Cebu.
Both Sonsona and Donaire Sr are not awed by the advance hype about the skill and power of Vazquez Jr. Donaire said Sonsona’s has the power to knock out Vazquez but made it clear that to achieve a win the 19 year old Filipino would have to train hard which, by all accounts, he is doing right now.
Prior to his departure to San Francisco, Sonsona told us “I am okay” and promised “I will train hard. I know I can do it” and win another world title.
However, Sonsona is expected to have a hard time against the 25 year old Puerto Rican who is considered the best prospect by far among the sons of former world champions . Vazquez is known for his exciting style accentuated by his quickness and punching power anchored on solid left hooks to the body and a right uppercut.
Graham Houston, the respected Fight Writer has described Vazquez as a “fast, sharp boxer-puncher” who has, on many occasions been “looking extremely classy with an impressive variety of punches that includes hurtful hooks to the body.”
Sonsona who is also capable of using his stinging right to set up his vicious left straight is also no mean puncher and fight fans in Puerto Rico are looking forward to an exciting, action-packed title fight once again highlighting a new developing rivalry between the Philippines and Puerto Rico highlighted by pound-for-pound hero Manny Pacquiao’s 12th round TKO of Miguel Cotto in Las Vegas last November 14.
Top photo (L-R) Promoter Sammy Gello-ani, World Champion Ivan Calderon, Marvin Sonsona and Matchmaker Sampson Lewkowicz at a gym in Puerto Rico.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
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