Family tragedies forced Sonsona to move camp

BECAUSE of some family problems, former WBO world super flyweight champion Marvin “Marvelous” Sonsona was forced to continue his training in his hometown in General Santos a month before his bout against Puerto Rican Carlos “El Flaco” Fulgencio in the main event of Pinoy Knockout I slated March 17 at the Hoops Dome in Lapu-Lapu City.

Sonsona, who has a record of 15 wins (12 knockouts) and 1 loss, is now back in Cebu, going through rigid training at the Omega Gym in Mabolo. He has already finished 30 rounds of sparring.

He transferred to General Santos City for a month after his family’s house got burned down and his aunt died.

He said he has not viewed any tapes of Fulgencio (19W-5L-1D-12 kos) but stablemate Siso “Kid Terible” Morales gave him a few tips since he and Fulgencio spent time together in a reality television show in Mexico.

If Sonsona wins the bout, international boxing promoter Sampson Lewkowicz promised him to train in Oxnard, California under the supervision of well-known trainer Pablo Sarmiento. Sarmiento also trains world middle weight champion Sergio Martinez of Argentina.

Lewkowicz plans to give Sonsona a bout against an Argentinean boxer here in the country.

“He has to prove to us again that he is focused and sincere to go up again. If he does that, I have many plans for him.”

Also adding attraction in the double main event of Pinoy Knock-out I is the WBO world youth flyweight championship bout between the undefeated WBO Asia Pacific Youth Flyweight champion Froilan “The Sniper” Saludar (14-0-1, 11kos) against Mexican Alejandro Morales (13-1-0, 7kos).

In the supporting main event, Philippine no. 2 contender in the welterweight division Adones Cabalquinto and no. 1 contender Dan Nazareno will have a showdown for the Philippine Junior Welterweight title.

Also, Jerwin Ancajas will defend his WBO Asia Pacific Youth Super flyweight title against Mark Anthony Geraldo.

In the undercard, Edward Penerio of Iloilo will fight Manila’s Albert Alcoy while Cebuano Virgilio Silvano will face Jay-r Calunsad of Misamis Occidental. Eman Labanza of Mandaue City will go up against General Santos’ Ernie Sanchez while Jordan Catubay of Zamboanga will fight Jerome Baja of Cebu.

Jack Tepora of Cebu and Dipolog’s Michael Dopol will provide the action in the opening bout.

Tickets are available at P200 for ringside, P150 for lower box, P100 for upper box and P50 for general admission. /CORRESPONDENT DALE G. ROSAL with reports from rene bonsubre jr.