Can he be ?Marvelous? again?
By Rene Bonsubre, Jr.
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 17 Feb 2010
?His destiny will be known here and only God knows what will happen come Feb. 27, the BIG DAY.? - Promoter Sammy Gello-ani ended his e-mail update regarding Marvin Sonsona's arrival in Puerto Rico with this statement.
The 19 year old Sonsona was portrayed as a fighter destined for greatness when he won the WBO superflyweight world title with a 12 round unanimous decision win over the more experienced Puerto Rican, Jose ?Carita? Lopez last September. Bur destiny came into conflict with reality 77 days later when he lost his title at the scales. Stories about his lack of focus made boxing fans and writers wonder if he would be relegated to being just another wasted talent and a one hit wonder.
Sonsona will be getting another crack at a championship, this time moving up in weight at 122 for the vacant WBO superbantamweight title against Wilfredo Vasquez,Jr of Puerto Rico. Sonsona (14W-0L-1D, 12 KO?s) and Vasquez,Jr. (17 W (KO 14) ? L 0- D 1) ?will square off in the Ruben Rodriguez Stadium in Bayamon on February 28 (R.P. Time) in a fight billed as ?Making History?.
?
Vasquez,Jr. is a formidable opponent and the son of a former three division world champion. He has power and throws excellent combinations. Sonsona arrived in Puerto Rico yesterday and was accompanied by promoter Sammy Gello-ani. He trained under Nonito Donaire,Sr. At the Kennel Boxing Gym in San Leandro, California.
Gello-ani has expressed confidence in Sonsona saying that ?Vasquez is very good and undefeated but he has never faced a fighter with Sonsona?s abilities.?
In his e-mail, Gello-ani informed that ?We were warmly welcomed by the Puerto Ricans. We are staying now at Verdanza Hotel at San Juan, Puerto Rico. The hotel is just near the airport and near the beach. Marvin jogs every morning in the beach for an hour. Today (Tuesday) we have the media workout where Ivan Calderon is training and after the media work out he weighed 127 lbs. The suitable weather here helps a lot on Marvin's training and so far will have no problem pertaining to weight. On Friday we will have a pre-weight in and both fighters should not be more than 5% of the fighting weight or 128lbs. The advance trip of Marvin here in Puerto Rico will help a lot in his preparation for Feb. 27 schedule.?
Great moments are born from great opportunities. Sonsona will make history as the youngest Filipino two division champion if he wins this fight. He impressed me months ago with his confidence. But Filipino boxing fans hope that he has realized that the key is not the will to win. It is the will to prepare to win that is important.
This time, he will have to earn his ring monicker ? Marvelous.
(Photos of Sonsona training in P.R. courtesy of Sammy Gello-ani).
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rene Bonsubre, Jr..
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Higher Seeds New York, Denver Fall in Playoffs Second Games to Detroit Pistons, LA Clippers
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Tue, 22 Apr 2025Young Gildo: The Baguio Bearcat
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Tue, 22 Apr 2025Filipino International Master Paulo Bersamina places solo runner-up in the 22nd Bangkok Chess Club Open in Thailand
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 22 Apr 2025Female Amateur Boxing Star Sar’ai Brown-El Signs with Split-T Management
Tue, 22 Apr 2025Apolinario to fight Hu in Japan
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 21 Apr 2025Warriors Shoot Down Rockets, 95-85 as Celtics, Cavaliers, Thunder Take Care of Business
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Mon, 21 Apr 20252025 USA Boxing International Open Finalized on Saturday
Mon, 21 Apr 2025Verano to face Thai in Clash of Nations on April 24
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 21 Apr 2025Masangkay to fight Ocampo in JAS on April 23
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 20 Apr 2025Denver Holds Off LA Clippers in OT, 112-110
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Sun, 20 Apr 2025Arca clinches 3rd and final IM norm; Guns for GM norm in last round
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 20 Apr 2025IN HER GOLDEN GIRL ERA: GABRIELA “SWEET POISON” FUNDORA SUCCESSFULLY DEFENDS UNDISPUTED TITLE AGAINST MARILYN BADILLO
Sun, 20 Apr 2025Fundora Retains Undisputed Flyweight Titles; Perez Shocks Conwell in Oceanside
Sun, 20 Apr 2025Dalton Smith Drops Mathieu German Three Times, Retains WBC Silver Title
Sun, 20 Apr 2025Filipino GM Antonio beats Serbia's IM for share of lead in Caberra Chess Tournament
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 20 Apr 2025