Marvin Sonsona aims to prove self in boxing?s biggest stage
By Rich Mazon
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 07 Jun 2014
New York - Marvin Sonsona cleared the weight and physical requirements a day before his rematch with former tormentor, Wilfredo Vazquez Jr. at the famed Madison Square Garden Saturday night.
Sonsona and Vazquez Jr. tipped the scales at an identical 125.8 pounds at Friday?s weigh-in ceremonies where the big and partisan Puerto Rican crowd showered support to their fighters, Vazquez Jr. being one of them.
The 23 year old fighter from General Santos City in the Philippines, together with the 29 year old Vazquez Jr. of Bayamon, Puerto Rico will co-headline Saturday?s big boxing event ? the middleweight world title contest between Puerto Rican superstar, Miguel Cotto and Argentina?s Sergio Martinez.
And judging from the weigh-in and the city?s demographics, any fighter that will be opposing a fighter from the nearby island of Puerto Rico will also be fighting the strong and loud Puerto Rican crowd tomorrow night.
But that is not worrying Sonsona who is eager to avenge his loss to Vazquez Jr.
"Hindi naman ako naalangan kahit na madaming Puerto Ricans na susuporta sa kanya sa Sabado. Okay lang yun. Nag train akong mabuti at talagang handa na ako para sa laban. "
(I am not worried even if he'll be having plenty of Puerto Ricans that will be supporting him this Saturday. That is okay. I have trained well and I am really ready for this fight.)
Their fight is for a regional (North American Boxing Federation) featherweight title, but the victor will be in good position to challenge one of the world champions of the featherweight (126 pounds) division in the future.
Sonsona also informed this Philboxing writer, that he is excited to fight in one of the most anticipated Pay-per-View event of 2014, in the biggest stage of any sport, in the biggest city of the world.
?Sobra po akong excited na lumaban dito sa New York at mapasali sa card na ito. Sana suportahan at ipagdasal ako ng mga kababayan natin dito at sa Pilipinas."
(I am really excited to fight here in New York and to be able to be includes in this card. I hope our countrymen here and in the Philippines support and pray for me.)
The former WBO super flyweight champ also admitted that he is looking to knock out Vazquez Jr. tomorrow night.
Vazquez Jr., who is the odds on favorite in this fight, has 23 wins (19 KOs) against 3 defeats and a draw. He suffered one of those knockout defeats in the hands of Filipino superstar, Nonito Donaire Jr. in 2012. He is 2-1 after that loss to Donaire two years ago.
Sonsona is sporting a record of 18 wins (15 KOs) against a loss and a draw and who has raked in four straight victories after that knockout loss to Vazquez Jr. in 2010.
Both fighters completed and passed the pre-fight medical examination conducted by the New York State Athletic Commission (NYSAC) and spent the day with TV giant HBO in their customary fighter meetings.
The last Filipino fighter to fight at Madison Square Garden was Rodel Mayol when he fought Ivan Calderon in 2009 for the WBO super flyweight title. That fight ended in a Technical Draw.
Nonito Donaire Jr. fought and won by Unanimous Decision at the smaller theatre beside MSG in 2011 against Omar Andres Narvaez.
Sonsona, if victorious, will not only be among the current crop of boxers that can boast of fighting at the historic venue, (even his province mate, the great Manny Pacquiao has not fought here), he can also top that with a win Saturday night (Sunday morning in the Philippines).
You can reach the author at rrmaze24@aol.com and on Twitter @Freemazon910.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rich Mazon .
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