Sonsona hurt during training

CEBU, Philippines - Former WBO super flyweight champion Marvin Sonsona’s chance of getting back into the big stage has hit a road block as he was forced to withdraw from a fight in the United States after suffering an injury.

Sonsona was supposed to fight this July 6 at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino and Las Vegas against interim WBO Latino featherweight champion Orlando Cruz, but suffered a back injury during his training in Oxnard, California.

“I felt sad for the loss opportunity for Marvin who is trying to bring his career back in big-time,” said promoter Sammy ‘Don King’ Gello-ani.

Sonsona, who became the youngest Filipino world champion at age 19, lost his crown via a fourth round knockout against WBO super bantamweight champion Wilfredo Vazquez, Jr. on February 27, 2010.

He proved he was ready to pick up where he left after scoring two successive wins.

The General Santos City-native Sonsona made a successful comeback last year against Mexican Carlos Jacobo whom he dominated via 12-round unanimous decision. He then followed it with a fifth round knockout victory against Carlos Fulgencio of the Dominican Republic last March, 17 at the Hoops Dome in Lapu-Lapu City.

Meanwhile, Gello-ani also confirmed that the scheduled June 30 fight of IBF interim light-flyweight champion Johnriel Casimero against Colombian Mauricio Fuentes at the Hoops Dome will not push through and he is looking to move it to July. — THE FREEMAN