8CN Exclusive Interview With “Marvelous” Marvin Sonsona -- 8CountNews

By Lorne Scoggins, 8CountNews.com

At only 19 years of age, “Marvelous” Marvin Sonsona is a fighter with tons of potential. After 150 fights as an amateur, he is now undefeated as a pro. He has stayed very busy since his professional debut. Since the summer of 2007 he has amassed an impressive record of 14-0-1 with 12 KOs. He's now in training for his February 27th bout with another undefeated prospect, Wilfredo Vazquez Jr. (17-0-1, with 14 KOs). The winner of the match will secure the vacant WBO super bantamweight title. Sonsona will be moving up from the super flyweight division.

Many have pointed out similarities between Sonsona and pound for pound king, Manny Pacquiao. Both are from General Santos City, both are south paws, and both debuted professionally at 106 lbs. 8CN caught up with Sonsona during a time out from his training. Sonsona humbly denied any comparisons with the man he called his idol.

8CN: Thanks for talking with 8CN, Marvin. How's your training coming along?

MS: It's going well. For the first part of my training I was at the Kennel Boxing Gym in San Leandro California. Now I'm training in Puerto Rico.

8CN: You're facing a tough, undefeated opponent. Do you feel prepared for the Vazquez fight?

MS: Of course. I'm well prepared and ready to win the fight with Vasquez.

8CN: How do you think the fight will play out? Do you have a round prediction?

MS: For me, I'll do my best and the rest is up to the Lord to decide who's going to win, but for my part, I'm going to give everything I got to win this fight.

8CN: A lot of people are comparing you to a young Manny Pacquiao. How has Manny influenced you?

MS: He is my idol! All the Filipino boxers idolize Manny. Nobody will ever be like he him. He's one of a kind.

8CN: As you know, Manny will be fighting Joshua Clottey on March 13. Do you want to share your thoughts on that fight?

MS: I think Manny will win this fight. He's very good at what he does.

8CN: You're going to be moving up from super flyweight to super bantamweight. Do you plan to keep moving up so you can conquer several weight classes?

MS: No. Manny is the only one who can do so well at many different weight classes. Nobody can follow in his footsteps because he is the best and he made his own way. For me, whatever opportunities Jesus gives me I'll take.

8CN: Do you have any final thoughts you'd like to share with your fans?

MS: I'd like to ask everyone to please pray for me and all the boxers who want to be world champions, and on this Saturday, please say a special prayer for me to win this fight. It is for the honor of our country.

8CN: Thank you for taking the time to talk with us and may God bless you.

MS: Ok. Thank you very much sir.

Contact Lorne: lscoggins@8countnews.com


Special thanks to my wife, Ritchie, for acting as interpreter for this interview.

Source: 8countnews.com

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Marvin Sonsona, the Next Manny Pacquiao, Faces Wilfredo Vazquez Jr. -- FanHouse

By Lem Satterfield, FanHouse

In a clash of talented, unbeaten fighters who are competing for the vacant WBO super bantamweight (122 pounds) title, 19-year-old, southpaw, Filipino sensation, "Marvelous" Marvin Sonsona will meet 25-year-old Wilfredo "WV2" Vazquez Jr. at the Coliseo Ruben Rodriguez, in Vazquez's hometown of Bayamon, Puerto Rico, on March 27.

Sansona is considered the Philippines' next Manny Pacquiao.

"Manny is Manny. It's hard following in his footsteps. But all that I can be is my best, and, hopefully, bring another world title home," said Sansona. "Fighting in his [Vazquez's] hometown doesn't bother me. The officials will be fair, and I have a lot of Puerto Rican fans, too. I'm not sure if it'll end in a knockout, but it's going to be a very good fight."

The son of the former world champion by the same name, Vazquez (17-0-1, 14 KOs) is riding an eight-fight winning streak that includes six knockouts, including stoppages in his past two bouts.

Coming off of November's seventh-round knockout of Genaro Garcia, Vazquez is after his third, consecutive stoppage, and can make history by becoming the first Puerto Rican son of a former titlist to also win a crown.

A unanimous decision by Sansona (14-0-1, 12 KOs) dethroned Jose Lopez as WBO super flyweight (115 pounds) champion in September.


But following his first defense of that title -- November's 12-round draw with Alejandro Hernandez -- Sansona was forced to vacate the belt as a result of his failure to make the 115-pound limit prior to the fight.

"My promoter [Sampson Lewkowicz] wanted me to take this fight because I have a big chance to win the title. It's a good opportunity for me to get a championship belt back. I've trained hard for this fight, and we've worked on [Vazquez's] weaknesses because he makes a lot of mistakes," said Sansona.

"This fight is very important for me, especially being on pay-per-view in North America," said Sansona. "I want to make up for what happened in Canada and win another world title. I'm hungry and focused on this fight. I'm hungry like a tiger."

Vazquez-Sansona is part of a split-site, "Double Assault" pay-per-view broadcast which begins at 9 p.m. ET, and is being distributed in America and Canada by Integrated Sports Media.

The action continues later Saturday night from Guadalajara, as 28-year-old, WBC light flyweight (108 pounds) titlist Rodel "Bantang Mandaue" Mayol (26-4-1, 20 KOs) of the Philippines defends his crown against former WBC light flyweight king, Omar "Giant Killer" Nino (28-3-1, 20 KOs), of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mex.

Another bout airing from Guadalajara is a 10-round, WBC youth lightweight (135 pounds) championship between 24-year-old defending champion, Daniel "Tremendo" Estrada (21-1, 17 KOs), of Mexico City, and, veteran Angel Alirio "El Morocho" Rivero (21-7-1, 14 KOs), of Tijuana, Baja Calif., Mexico.

Source: boxing.fanhouse.com

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Sonsona Wants Belt Back -- The Sweet Science

The Sweet Science

HOBOKEN, N.J. (Feb. 22, 2010) – Filipino sensation “Marvelous” Marvin Sonsoma is hungry to capture another world title, as well as overcoming the aftereffect of losing his WBO super flyweight belt on the scales in his last fight, this coming Saturday night in the highly-anticipated showdown against hometown hero Wilfredo “WV2” Vazquez, Jr. for the vacant World Boxing Organization (WBO) junior featherweight championship.

Vazquez, Jr.-Sonsona is one of two world title fights featured on the split-site “The Double Assault” pay-per-view broadcast, commencing at 9 PM/ET live from Reben Rodriquez Coliseum in Bayamon, Puerto Rico, the hometown Vazquez, Jr., who plans to make Puerto Rican history by defeating 19-year-old Sonsona.

The unique, double-barrelled broadcast is being distributed in the United States and Canada by Integrated Sports Media for live viewing at 9 PM/ET – 6 PM/PT on both cable and satellite pay-per-view via iN Demand, DIRECTV, TVN, DISH Network, Viewer’s Choice and Shaw PPV for a suggested retail price of only $34.95.

PR Best Boxing Promotions, in association with All Star Boxing and Sampson Boxing LLC., is presenting the Puerto Rican segment of “The Double Assault” pay-per-view.

WBO No. 2 rated Vazquez, Jr. (17-0-1, 14 KOs), the WBO Latino super bantamweight champion, would become the first Puerto Rican son of a world champion (Wilfredo Vazquez, Sr.) to capture a world title by defeating former WBO super flyweight titlist Sonsona (14-0-1, 12 KOs), ranked No. 3 by the WBO.

Sonsona, billed in the Philippines as that country’s next Manny Pacquiao, fought Alejandro Hernandez to a draw last November in Canada. Marvin, however, lost the WBO super flyweight title that he had won in his previous fight against Jose Lopez, due to weighing-in 2 ½ pounds over the 115-pound contractual weight. Sonsona is fighting two full weight classes above super flyweight against Vasquez, instead of taking a “tune-up” fight before fighting in this world title bout.

“My promoter (Sampson Lewkowicz) wanted me to take this fight because I have a big chance to win the title,” Sonsona explained. “It’s a good opportunity for me to get a championship belt back. I’ve trained hard for this fight and we’ve worked on his (Vazquez) weaknesses. He makes a lot of mistakes. This fight is very important for me, especially being on pay-per-view in North America. I want to make up for what happened in Canada and win another world title. I’m hungry and focused on this fight; I’m hungry like a tiger.

“Manny is Manny. It’s hard following in his footsteps but all I can be is my best and, hopefully, bring another world title home. Fighting in his (Vasquez) hometown doesn’t bother me. The officials will be fair and I have a lot of Puerto Rican fans, too. I’m not sure if it’ll end in a knockout, but it’s going to be a very good fight.”

Unbeaten cruiserweight prospect Carlos Negron (7-0, 6 KOs), 2008 Puerto Rican Olympian, provides chief support in a 6-round bout against Rudy Ashworth. Also fighting on the card in their pro debuts are the Arroyo twins, flyweight McWilliams and bantamweight McJoe, also members of the 2008 Puerto Rican Olympic Boxing Team.

The PPV action continues later Saturday night, live from Guadalajara, as WBC light flyweight champion Rodel “Bantang Mandaue” Mayol (26-4-1, 20 KOs), rated No. 2 by The Ring, defends his belt in the 12-round main event versus the WBC No. 1 contender, former WBC light flyweight titlist Omar “Giant Killer” Nino (28-3-1, 20 KOs). Also airing on the Guadalajara card, presented by Boxeo De Gala, is a 10-round WBC Youth lightweight championship match between defending champ Daniel “Tremendo” Estrada (21-1, 17 KOs) and veteran Angel Alirio “El Morocho” Rivero (21-7-1, 14 KOs).

Source: blog.thesweetscience.com

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Sonsona ready for Vázquez Jr. -- FightNews

FightNews.com

Former WBO super flyweight champion Marvin Sonsona of the Philippines (14-0-1, 12 KOs) and trainer Nonito Donaire Sr. work the mitts during a recent training session in Puerto Rico. Sonsona having arrived in Puerto Rico this past Monday is closing in on fight week for his showdown with Puerto Rico’s Wilfredo Vázquez Jr. (17-0-1, 14 KOs). The two will square off February 27th at the Coliseo Rubén Rodríguez in Bayamón, Puerto Rico for the vacant WBO junior featherweight title. The event titled ‘Making History’ is being presented by PR Best Boxing in association with All Star Boxing, Sampson Boxing LLC, and SGG Promotions. Sonsona spoke with Fightnews in regards to his upcoming bout and Sonsona’s trainer Nonito Donaire joined in on the interview as well.

How have you adapted to the time change in Puerto Rico?

I’m actually still adjusting but my arriving nearly two weeks prior to the fight will be very beneficial to me. I will be fully adjusted prior to fight night.

Moving up from 115 to 122, do you feel more natural at super bantamweight?

Absolutely. Its such a relief to not have to struggle to make weight anymore. I feel at home in the super bantamweight division.

Having been a world champion at age 19 and unbeaten, surely the comparisons to Manny Pacquiao have come out, no?

I truly respect Manny Pacquiao and there will only be one Manny Pacquiao. I’m trying to establish my own name.

Nonito when did you start training Marvin?

My first fight with Marvin was the night he won the world title this past September.

Marvin is only 19 years old. How advanced do you see him at the this stage of his career?

Marvin is very advanced at this stage of his career as evidenced by him already winning a world title. He is very disciplined and works really hard in the gym. His future in boxing is extremely bright.

Marvin what are your thoughts on Vázquez Jr. having seen him fight?

He is a very talented fighter and I’m training extremely hard so that I can be victorious. I will be more than ready come February 27th.

Also featured on the televised card will be unbeaten 6′6 cruiserweight giant Carlos Negron of Puerto Rico (7-0, 5 KOs) vs. Roy Ashworth, Jonathan Oquendo (17-2, 11 KOs) of Puerto Rico vs Mexican Álex Becerra for the WBO Latino junior featherweight title and the debut of twins McJoe and McWilliams Arroyo.

The pay-per-view event will begin at 9pm ET/6pm PT on both cable and satellite. The PPV cost will be $34.95 and available in Puerto Rico, U.S., Canada, Philippines, Central and South America. Tickets can be purchased by calling (787) 792-5000 or online at www.tcpr.com . Tickets are priced at $20, $40, $75, $125, $150 and $300.

Source: fightnews.com

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