Boxing champ Sonsona hopes to end doubts

Sure, it was an impressive title winning effort for world super flyweight champion Marvin Sonsona. But his biggest win thus far left more questions than answers regarding a potential celebrated reign. The 19-year-old Sonsona (14-0, 12 knockouts) raised few but intriguing doubts in his last fight especially since it was the first time for the General Santos City fighter to go past five rounds. In winning the World Boxing Organization (WBO) super flyweight belt over Puerto Rican Jose "Carita" Lopez, Sonsona had to rely on his loaded boxing skills especially in the final few rounds to prevent a huge rally en route to a 12-round decision win held in Canada. Observers feel Sonsona was almost spent entering the last two rounds, something which the young champion needs to improve on if he wishes to have an extended reign. This Sunday (Manila time), Sonsona will have a chance to dispel those doubts when he meets a somewhat beatable but still formidable Alejandro "Payasito" Hernandez of Mexico in a 12-round title defense. With a record of 22 wins, seven losses, one draw and 11 stoppages, Hernandez has yet to be stopped as he went the full route in all those losses.
For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV In his last outing two months ago in Mexico, the 23-year-old Hernandez lost a 12-round verdict to compatriot Wilbert Uicab for the Mexican flyweight crown. His biggest fight happened September of last year where he gallantly fought but lost to undefeated WBO flyweight kingpin Omar Narvaez via 12-round decision right in the champion’s turf of Cordoba, Argentina. After winning the title, Sonsona deservedly spent some time off in his hometown. Issues, however, arose as the newly-minted world champion missed at least three flights from General Santos on his way to training camp in Cebu. Sonsona’s trainers Nonito Donaire, Sr. and Jun Agrabio, however, shrugged off the issue and recently declared that their fighter is ready for his first title defense to be staged at the Casino Rama in Ontario, Canada. “Syempre bata pa si Marvin pero nakikinig naman. Kailangan lang talaga tutukan at ipaalam namin sa kaniya kung gaano ka-importante ang training sa career niya (Marvin is still young but is a good listener. We just need to emphasize and tell him how important training is in his career)," said Donaire, Sr. from his Delta Chelsea Hotel room in Canada. The bout will be shown by Solar Sports and giant network GMA-7 and will also have a live blow-by-blow account via GMA’s radio station Super Radyo DZBB 594 AM. – Dennis Principe, GMANews.TV