PROMOTER Sammy Gello-ani is planning to stage a big fight card at the Hoops Dome in Lapu-Lapu City on Sept. 24 featuring the return of Philippine boxing’s prodigal ex-champ Marvin Sonsona against Mexico’s Leopoldo Gonzales in a 10-round non-title bout.
Sonsona (14W-1L-1D, 12 KOs) has not fought since Feb. 27, 2010 when he was stopped by Wilfredo Vasquez Jr. in four rounds for the WBO superbantamweight title, in his failed bid to become the youngest two-division champion in Philippine boxing history.
Sonsona, who won the WBO superflyweight title in 2009, was the second youngest Filipino world boxing titlist after Morris East but distractions outside the ring have become the subject of numerous articles and rumors.
Gonzales (8W-2L-1D, 4 KOs) drew his last fight in May against Roberto Castaneda. He started his career with eight straight wins before suffering back-to-back losses.
Gello-ani’s SGG Promotions has also penned Rey ‘Malone’ Labao (20W-3L, 13 KOs) against Payak Patanakan Gym (20W-9L, 5 KOs) of Thailand for a WBO Asia-Pacific belt.
Johnriel Casimero of the Omega Boxing Gym will also see action against TI Yamagata Sentillas of the TI Cebu Stable. Casimero (14W-2L, 8 KOs), a former WBO interim lt.flyweight titlist, was initially scheduled to face Kennedy Kanyanta in Zambia this month but he will have to prove himself first against the tough Sentillas (11W-7L, 7 KOs) who bucked a first-round knockdown to beat Noel Adelmita last Aug. 7 in Sibonga, Cebu.
Gello-ani told CDN that Casimero needs to win this fight first before going back to big fights abroad.
Also set to see action is slick boxer Ramie Laput (41W-4L-1D, 19 KOs) who will face Ariel Delgado (19W-7L-3D, 8 KOs). Laput is a former WBO Intercontinental superbantamweight titlist while Delgado is an experienced fighter having fought the likes of Michael Farenas and Bernabe Concepcion.
Meanwhile, Gello-ani will be attending the title fight between Jether Oliva (17W-0L-1D, 11 KOs) of the Philippines vs. defending IBF light flyweight champion Ulises Solis of Mexico on Aug. 27 in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. /Correspondent Rene Bonsubre Jr.