
MARVELOUS, BUT HE CAN STILL DO BETTER
By Rene Bonsubre, Jr.
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 16 Oct 2011

Marvin Sonsona is back and that is the important thing. Twenty months is a very long time for a boxer to have an ?unforced hiatus? even for a former world champion in his early twenties. But the dazzling moves were still there.
His opponent, Carlos ?El Relampago? Jacobo of Mexico, looked tentative and sluggish at the start and Sonsona pounced with hooks and uppercuts.
Jacobo started the third with a series of left hooks and began to target Sonsona?s body. But Sonsona showed excellent lateral movement to stay out of serious trouble and caught Jacobo with a hard left. But the Mexican?s game plan was obvious; the Gensan southpaw?s endurance was suspect and Jacobo pounded Sonsona?s midsection.
Sonsona peppered Jacobo with his straight left and sneaked uppercuts when he tried to get in. Sensing he was behind on points past the halfway mark, Jacobo increased his punch output. Sonsona backed Jacobo up with power shots but the Mexican had a solid jaw.
Sonsona did answer the question as to whether his punches had pop as a superbantamweight when he dropped Jacobo in the round eight.
Jacobo stood up on unsteady legs but the bell saved him. In a breath-taking ninth round, both boxers exchanged powerful volleys and Jacobo ended the round with a right straight to Sonsona?s jaw. In the final round, Sonsona moved and tried to keep the action at ring center as Jacobo tried to press.
Sonsona showed ring smarts and his championship heart after ten rounds. The scores were lopsided in his favour ? 98-91, 98-91, 97-92. Sonsona answered questions about his heart, dedication and endurance. If the fight ended in a quick knockout, the questions would have lingered in the minds of boxing pundits.
Sonsona still needs to work on his defense. His muscle tone needs improvement as well. He could use a good conditioning coach and a sports nutritionist. He has food cravings and he needs to discipline himself when no one is looking.
Promoter Sammy Gello-ani told this writer that Sonsona plans to continue training. There may be another fight this December.
When the level of competition gets higher, they could use an experienced ring tactician. Sonsona is one of the smartest boxers we have, but he could still use a good motivator and ring general.
The important thing right now is that he is back. We can call him ?Marvelous? again. For those who never stopped believing in him, they can dream with him once again; Dream of Act Two, of that glorious September day in Canada.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rene Bonsubre, Jr..
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
HALL OF FAMER MANNY PACQUIAO SET TO CHASE HISTORY YET AGAIN THIS SATURDAY NIGHT IN WORLD TITLE FIGHT AGAINST MARIO BARRIOS
Wed, 16 Jul 2025Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimàn: New York, a Special Place for Boxing
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Wed, 16 Jul 2025Jake Paul-Anthony Joshua talking for a possible fight?
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 16 Jul 2025Philippines Rolls Past Pacific Oceania in Davis Cup Group IV Opener as Cebuana Lhuillier Ambassadors Set the Pace
Wed, 16 Jul 2025QUOTES FROM TONY HARRISON’S OPEN MEDIA WORKOUT TODAY IN DETROIT
Wed, 16 Jul 20253-Time World Champion Miyo Yoshida is tired of playing Boxing’s dreaded waiting game
Wed, 16 Jul 2025RP Blu Girls Dominate India to Strengthen Asia Cup Campaign
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 16 Jul 2025Pacquiao-Barrios Betting Odds in Las Vegas: Where Are Bettors Placing Their Money?
By Carlos Costa, Wed, 16 Jul 2025Because Comebacks Matter: Pacquiao Fights for Us All
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Wed, 16 Jul 2025FILIPINO OLYMPIAN EUMIR MARCIAL, HARD-HITTING CONTENDER OMAR SALCIDO & MORE ROUND OUT LOADED EVENT THIS SATURDAY, JULY 19 AT THE MGM GRAND GARDEN ARENA IN LAS VEGAS
Wed, 16 Jul 2025Dumam-ag fights in Japan on July 20
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 16 Jul 2025UNDEFEATED KO ARTISTS COLLIDE! ARMANDO MARTINEZ RABI SET TO FACE ALBEIRO PAREDES
Wed, 16 Jul 2025Arca to compete in 9th Eastern Asia Youth Chess Championships 2025 in Zhuhai, China
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 16 Jul 2025Sampson Boxing Announces Signing of Super Lightweight Prospect Jorge De Jesus to Promotional Contract
Wed, 16 Jul 2025THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 14 JULY 2025: Katie Taylor Makes 3-0 Over Amanda Serrano; Baumgardner Defeats Miranda; Stevenson Outclasses Zepeda; Sheeraz Stops Berlanga
By Eric Armit, Tue, 15 Jul 2025