EDEN SONSONA: ANOTHER SHOT AT BOXING GLORY
By Chito Yu Katangkatang
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 13 Jul 2011
I started believing in the talent of Eden Sonsona after seeing him destroy Eilon Kedem in two rounds in the undercard of the Pacquiao vs. Cotto fight on Novermber 14, 2009. I was further enthralled by the kid?s power watching his eight round demolition of Mauricio Pastrana under the fight card of the Pacquiao vs. Clottey event on March 13, 2010 at the Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas. His ring generalship and poise on the ring reflected an aura of a classy fighter and his manner of destroying his opponents depicted ring intelligence and technical maturity. Until he tasted defeat in Puerto Rico in a fight that showed a different version of Eden Sonsona. Gassed out, slower and obviously undertrained.
My faith on the kid from General Santos remained even after he was defeated by Jonathan Oquendo on July 10, 2010 under the JuanMa Lopez vs. Abe Conception fight in Puerto Rico. I hoped that just like any rising boxer, Sonsona will learn from the defeat and come back stronger. But he never came back to fight since then. I told myself, what a waste of talent. It also made me wonder what curse has befallen on the Sonsona kids knowing what happened to Marvin.
Fame and success can be very intoxicating. Many have suffered from the ?Rockstar Syndrome?, that involves getting drunk with fame and everything that goes within including sex, drugs, alcohol and other worldly allurements. Eden himself admitted that he had enjoyed and abused these perks during his short-lived Rockstar Lifestyle. He got crazy with women, alcohol and drugs and neglected his discipline as a professional boxer. Money went wasted. Friends gone. Opportunities lost. Dreams shattered.
But we all have the chance to rebuild our lives as long as we?re not down six feet under. Eden found a new hope when he met a good ?kababayan? in the person of Ian Bicera, a businessman from General Santos and a loyal boxing fan and supporter. Eden sought the help of Mr. Bicera and Ian believing in the sincerity of the young boxer gave him the help he needed. Ian Bicera told this writer that he is not the Manager of Eden. He will not get any percentage from the purse of Eden but will merely help the kid get back on the track towards a championship belt. He believes in the talent of Eden Sonsona.
Eden Sonsona has been back on the gym for three months now. He assured this writer that he has been living a clean life and that he is ready to get back on the ring and get back to business. For his comeback fight, he is tentatively set to trade punches with Marvin Tampos-Singwangcha on August 6, 2011 at the Cebu Coliseum on a fight card that includes Dodie Boy Pe?alosa Jr. The fight will be organized by GerryPens Promotions of boxing living legend Gerry Pe?alosa.
Pe?alosa has also expressed his support on the comeback of Sonsona.
There are three talented Sonsonas in Philippine Boxing. Marvelous Marvin who has lost his marvel but is rumored to be coming back into action soon. Undefeated prospect Lolito Sonsona who is being managed by Elmer Anuran of Touch Gloves Stable. And Eden who is trying to work his way into regaining his boxing glory and continue his quest for another boxing championship belt for himself, for his family and our country.
Photo (L-R): Ian Bicera, Angelo Mejia and Eden Sonsona.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Chito Yu Katangkatang.
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