Sonsona out to make impression

CEBU, Philippines - Former WBO super flyweight champion Marvin “Marvelous” Sonsona (15-1-1, 12 KOs) said he is out to make an impression when he trades fistic bombs with Carlos “El Flaco” Fulgencio (19-5-1, 12 KOs) of Dominican Republic in the main event of the “Pinoy Knockout I” fight card on March 17 at the Hoops Dome in Brgy. Gun-ob, Lapu-Lapu City.

“I’m ready to give Cebu boxing fans an exciting show. This fight is something I can’t afford to lose. I will try my best to make an impression because I want to prove to everybody that I am still capable of becoming a world champion again,” said the pride of General Santos City.

Sonsona won the WBC 115-pound crown with a unanimous decision victory over Jose Lopez on September 4, 2009 at the Casino Rama in Ontario, Canada.

Sonsona’s reign was shortlived as two months later he was forced to abdicate his throne for failing to make the contracted weight limit in a fight against Alejandro Hernandez.

 Sonsona moved up in the weight, but failed in his world title attempt after being knocked out by Wilfredo Vasquez, Jr. in the fourth round during their WBO super bantamweight title match on February 27, 2010 at the Coliseo Ruben Rodriguez in Bayamon, Puerto Rico.

Inspite of that drawback, Sonsona remains confident he could back on the right winning track. In fact, he mauled Carlos Jacobo in his previous ring appearance on October 15 last year also at the Hoops Dome.

“I know I could still reach that status of being a world champion someday,” said Sonsona. 

Three championship bouts will spice up the slambang event put up by Sammy ‘Don King” Gello-ani of SGG Sports Promotions in partnership with Sampson Boxing LLC and AKTV.

The undefeated Froilan “The Sniper” Saludar (14-0-1, 11 KOs) of Polomolok, South Cotabato will defend his WBO Youth flyweight title against Alejandro Morales (13-1-1, 7 KOs) of Los Mochis, Mexico, while Jerwin Canlas (13-0-1, 5 KOs) of Panabo City will mix it up with Mark Anthony Geraldo (22-4-3) of Valencia, Bukidnon for the WBO Asia-Pacific Youth super flyweight crown.

In the other featured title showdown, Adones Cabalquinto (10-0, 8 KOs) of Bacoor, Cavite will collide with Dan Nazareno (16-7, 12 KOs) for the Philippine light welterweight diadem. 

The rest of the card pits Edward Penerio of Iloilo City vs. Albert Alcoy of Manila; Virgilio Silvano of Cebu vs. Jay-R Calunsad of Misamis Occidental; Ernie Sanchez of GenSan vs. Eman Labanza of Mandaue; Jordan Catubay of Sibugay, Zamboanga vs. Jerome Baja of Cebu City; and Jack “Golden Boy” Tepora of Cebu vs. Michael Dopol of Dipolog City.

Tickets are priced at P50 for the general admission, P100 for upper box, P150 for lower box, and P200 for ringside. - THE FREEMAN