Same-day weigh-in to favor Sonsona

MANILA, Philippines - There’s a quirk in Canadian boxing rules and Dr. Rajan Yraola said the other day his protégé Marvin Sonsona will benefit from the imposition of the weigh-in on the day of his fight against WBO superflyweight champion Jose (Carita) Lopez of Puerto Rico in Ontario on Sept. 4.

In Las Vegas and most other cities hosting boxing events, weigh-ins are scheduled the afternoon before the night fights. But in Canada, the rule is the fighters must weigh in the morning of their bouts.

Yraola said Lopez and Sonsona will weigh in at 9 a.m. for their match later at 9 p.m.

“Lopez is 37 and I think because of his age, he won’t be able to reinvigorate as quickly as a younger fighter like Marvin, who’s only 19, after a weigh-in,” said Yraola. “If Lopez has difficulty making the weight in the morning, he’ll be drained by the time he fights at night. Even if he makes the weight, his body won’t be able to reenergize that fast. That works to Marvin’s advantage.”

Yraola said Sonsona has outgrown the flyweight division and is comfortable fighting in the 115-pound class.

Sonsona had to shed off a few pounds before making the flyweight limit for his WBO Oriental title fight against Wandee Singwancha in Cebu last May. But he didn’t show signs of barely surviving the ordeal at the scales in knocking out Wandee in two rounds. Now, Sonsona will be spared the struggle to scale 115.

Sonsona said he has studied Lopez’ style on tape and he’s confident of winning.

“He’s more of a boxer,” said Sonsona. “That’s what I like. I prefer to fight a boxer than a slugger.”

Lopez’ record, however, belies Sonsona’s analysis as he has scored 32 knockouts in 39 wins, losing seven and drawing twice. But four of Lopez’ last seven bouts went the distance, indicating he may be slipping.

Yraola said experience will be Lopez’ advantage because Sonsona has only logged 13 fights but youth will be on the 5-7 General Santos City southpaw’s side.

“We brought in Dodong Donaire to help Jun Agrabio in the gym,” said Yraola. “Dodong made his son Nonito a world champion and we’re hoping his inputs will offset Lopez’ advantage in experience. Dodong is a veteran who knows what it takes to win a world championship. He will work Marvin’s corner in Canada with Jun and me.”

Sonsona has never fought abroad but he’s not fazed. “I don’t care where I fight,” he said. “I know what to do in the ring, wherever it is. With God’s help, I can beat Lopez and bring back the title to the Philippines.”

Sonsona expects to leave Manila mid-August and fly to New York City where he will hook up with matchmaker and co-promoter Sampson Lewkowicz before moving to Ontario two weeks before the fight. He will be paid $30,000 for the title shot.

Last Tuesday, Sonsona visited The Philippine STAR office to join in celebrating the newspaper’s 23rd anniversary and took the opportunity to greet special guest of honor Manny Pacquiao. Sonsona said he hopes to follow in Pacquiao’s footsteps. Both Pacquiao and Sonsona are 5-7, lefthanded and hail from General Santos City.

The oldest of three children, Sonsona said he won’t let Pacquiao and the Filipino nation down when he battles Lopez for the crown. If he makes it, Sonsona will become the youngest Filipino world champion ever, outdoing both Ben Villaflor and Pacquiao by months. Sonsona turned 19 last Saturday.

Sonsona admitted he has a girlfriend Jen, an SK leader in General Santos City, but won’t let romance get in the way of living his dream to become a world champion. They’ve been an item only for three months and there’s a distance between them but Sonsona said she’s an inspiration.

At the moment, Sonsona is concentrated on getting in shape for the fight of his life. He has never gone past five rounds in compiling a 13-0 record, including 12 KOs, but with Donaire and Agrabio supervising his workouts, the teenaged challenger said he’ll be ready to go the full route if that’s what it takes to dethrone Lopez.