Marvin Sonsona (born on July 25, 1990) is a Filipino boxer from General Santos City, South Cotabato. He is the Current WBO Super flyweight Champion. A relative of his named Eden Sonsona is also a boxer and a former Philippine national bantamweight champion. One of Sonsona's trainers is Nonito Donaire Sr., the father and former trainer of Nonito Donaire.
Sonsona started boxing at 7 years of age under the tutelage of his uncle. Before fighting as a professional, he fought 150 times as an amateur.
He won his pro debut at flyweight on points then knocked out his next ten opponents in short rounds. All his first opponents were unknowns but then he also knocked out former two time WBC world Champion Thai fighter Wandee Singwancha (record 57-10) via second-round KO.
Sonsona climbed up in weight to challenge José López for the WBO super flyweight title on September 5, 2009. He scored a knockdown in the fourth round and fought his way to a unanimous decision victory.[4]
He is Scheduled to Defend his title for the first time on November 11, 2009 again at Casino Rama, Ontario, Canada against a Mexican Orthodox named Alejandro Hernandez.
Source: Wikipedia
MANILA -- World super flyweight champ “Marvelous” Marvin Sonsona is doing well in his preparations for his first title defense on November 21, according to his trainer Nonito Donaire, Sr.
Donaire, Sr., who is working with Sonsona’s long time coach Juan Agrabio to whip up the champ to shape, told InsideSports.ph that the Filipino lefty is already entered the sparring phase of his training.
Sonsona, the youngest Filipino world champion today at 19, is scheduled to defend his World Boxing Organization (WBO) super flyweight title against Mexico’s Alejandro “Payasito” Hernandez.
Sonsona, who won the WBO belt from veteran Jose “Carita” Lopez of Puerto Rico, remained undefeated in 14 fights (12 knock outs) while Hernandez has a fighting record of 22-7 (11 knock outs).
The fight will take place in Casino Rama in Canada, the site of Sonsona’s victory over Lopez.
Donaire Sr. said Sonsona is currently sparring 4 to 6 rounds on some days and works on the punch-mitts in Mandaue City, Cebu.
He added that he doesn’t want Sonsona to spar with heavier opponents and instead has him going up against the likes of Filipino boxer Richard Bitos, who is regarded for his quickness.
Donaire Sr. said the lanky southpaw currently weighs 130 pounds but should have no problem making the 115 pound limit at the official weigh-in.
Sonsona: I had no idea I'd become a champ
By Dennis Gasgonia, abs-cbnNEWS.com
In fact, what he wanted back then was to be a policeman.
“Pangarap ko po dati maging pulis,” said the 19-year-old Filipino boxer who decisively beat erstwhile WBO super flyweight champion Jose “Carita” Lopez in Ontario, Canada last Friday (Saturday in Manila).
The “Marvelous” Marvin connected a powerful right hook to Lopez’s jaw sending the Puerto Rican down to the canvass in the fourth round.
The 37-year-old Lopez, a veteran of nearly 50 fights, eventually recovered from the decking. But it was that knockdown that put the younger Marvin ahead in the score cards.
“Hindi ko naman nai-imagine noong bata ako na magiging world champion ako,” said the soft-spoken Marvin.
Family of boxers
Marvin, the eldest among three siblings, grew up in General Santos City just like “People’s Champ” Manny Pacquiao and Rolando “Bad Boy of Dadiangas” Navarette.
His father introduced him to boxing when he was just seven years old.
“’Iyong papa ko po nagturo sa akin, boksingero rin siya dati,” said Marvin, who is also related to RP bantamweight champion Eden Sonsona.
Marvin’s younger brother also tried his luck as an amateur. “Pero pinahinto ko na lang,” he added.
Life wasn’t easy for his family. He had to work as a garbage collector to help his parents provide their basic needs.
“Nagtatapon po ako ng basura… basurero po ako noon. Kahit nagbo-boksing na ko,” he said.
He eventually dropped out from high school and gave up his dream to become a police officer due to financial difficulties. But he continued boxing.
To test his mettle as a young amateur, he has joined several regional and national meets.
“Marami na rin akong nagiging laban sa amateur. Naglaro na po ako sa Batang Pinoy, National Youth Open at Palarong Pambansa,” he said.
Turning pro
Banking on his raw punching power, Marvin has compiled a considerable number of wins. He tried his luck as a professional boxer upon reaching the age of 17.
“Hindi pa ako pinayagan kasi masyadong bata pa daw,” remembered Marvin. “Then isinama nila ako sa exhibition sa Ynares Plaza sa Binangonan, Rizal, doon sa ‘In This Corner’? Noong tinalo ko iyong kalaban ko, in-approve nila akong maging professional.”
From then on, he collected 13 straight wins. Out of these victories, 12 ended by knockouts and none of them went beyond five rounds.
Some of his biggest tests were against Thai boxers Liempetch Sor Veerapol and Wandee Singwancha.
Marvin fought Veerapol in January, 2009 for the WBO Asia Pacific Youth title. He beat Veerapol by technical knock out in the fourth round.
Singwancha, a former world champion, suffered the same fate in the hands of the “Marvelous” in May, 2009. Marvin won the WBO Oriental flyweight title by beating Singwancha in just two rounds.
“When we saw him win over Singwancha, sabi namin ‘mukhang handa na siya para sa isang world title fight’,” said Marvin’s Filipino promoter Sammy Gello-ani.
Canadian support
Marvin is already 19 when he won against Singwancha. However, to the eyes of US boxing promoters, he is still a boy.
“Nobody wanted to promote him in America because he’s very young. So we ask them [boxing promoters] in Canada: are you willing to gamble? He’s a potential boxing champion,” said Gello-ani.
Orion Sports Management President Allan Tremblay took the gamble.
With the help of international matchmaker Sampson Lewkowicz, they have penciled Marvin for a September 4 match up with Lopez at the Casino Rama in Ontario.
The showdown was dubbed “Rumble at Rama IX”.
Marvin was well supported by the Filipino community in Canada. In fact, according to Gello-Ani, two-thirds of those who attended the fight were Canada-based Filipinos.
Judges saw the fight 114-111, 115-110 and 116-109, all in favor of Marvin. He went home as the winner.
For the love of his family
Marvin said most of his winnings, amounting to more than a million pesos, will go to his family.
He said he has become a boxer to feed his family.
“Basta kung ano ang maiuuwi ko sa pamilya ko, sila na bahala. Wala kasi silang trabaho, mga kapatid ko nag-aaral,” said Marvin.
In the end, he said he only wanted his family to be happy.
“Masaya po ang pamilya ko, magaan po ang pakiramdam nila,” Marvin, the latest “Wonder Boy” of Philippine boxing, said while smiling.
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While I can confidently say that more than 90% of Filipino fans are excitedly awaiting the PPV superfight between Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto, there is another upcoming superstar in the making who can possibly equal if not surpass the achievement of the current boxing great Manny Pacquiao. His name is Marvin Sonsona, the current WBO Superflyweight Champion. Wait for this kid's time to shine. Mark my word.
Raul B. Romilla
boxingfanatico.blogspot.com
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