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 .
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Suarez Looks to Exploit Navarrete's Weight Problem
By Ed de la Vega, DDS, Sat, 10 May 2025Weekend Preview & Picks for ESPN, DAZN, & ProBox Bouts
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 10 May 2025Weights from Fort Washington, MD
Sat, 10 May 2025Navarrete, Suarez Make Weight for WBO Title Clash; Muratalla and Abdullaev Ready for Interim IBF Battle
Sat, 10 May 2025HIGHLY-TOUTED BANTAMWEIGHT ADAM MACA SIGNS PROMOTIONAL DEAL WITH MATCHROOM BOXING
Sat, 10 May 2025CAPITO CRASHES OUT IN TITLE DEFENCE AS YAPP ENDS UK OPEN REIGN | 2025 UK OPEN POOL CHAMPIONSHIP
Sat, 10 May 2025A TRIO OF MATCHUPS ADDED TO "CHAMPIONING MENTAL HEALTH: A NIGHT OF BOXING" PRESENTED BY 555 MEDIA AND BASH BOXING
Fri, 09 May 2025SHAW SURGES AS CAPITO STUMBLES IN TITLE DEFENCE | 2025 UK OPEN POOL CHAMPIONSHIP
Fri, 09 May 20252025 USA Boxing Youth Men’s and Women’s High Performance Teams announced
Fri, 09 May 2025Jessie Villasin chess tournament on Sunday
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 09 May 2025Press Conference Notes: San Diego Favorite Emanuel Navarrete Set to Reignite Mexico-Philippines Rivalry against Charly Suarez
Fri, 09 May 2025SALITA PROMOTIONS PRESENTS: UNDISPUTED HEAVYWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP CLARESSA SHIELDS vs. LANI DANIELS SATURDAY, JULY 26 * LITTLE CAESARS ARENA
Fri, 09 May 2025Unbeaten Anthony Velazquez pitched shutout at home in Springfield
Fri, 09 May 2025TYSON FURY VOTED THE MOST ENTERTAINING BOXER IN THE WORLD, ACCORDING TO BRITISH FANS
Fri, 09 May 2025Undefeated super middleweight contender Darius Fulghum preparing to ‘Make a big splash’ vs. Bek Melikuziev
Fri, 09 May 2025