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..
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