Sonsona back with a vengeance
Former world champion Marvin “Marvelous” Sonsona showed that despite 20 months of inactivity, he still has the class, speed and the ring smarts of a true title contender by scoring a well-deserved unanimous decision victory over Mexico’s super bantamweight champion Carlos Jacobo Saturday night at the Hoops Dome in Lapu-Lapu City.
Official scores from the all-Filipino panel of judges were 98-91, 98-91 and 97-92 all in favor of the 21-year old former world champ Sonsona (15-1-1, 12KOs) of General Santos City.
Only one knock down thrilled the crowd during the exciting combat.
It occurred by the end of the eight round when Sonsona unleashed a lethal combination that sent the visiting Mexican against the ropes and down to the canvas.
Jacobo managed to beat the count by referee Bruce McTavish and the Mexican went on to finish the 10-round non-title fight.
“Para nako nakulangan jud ko sa akong dula, bug-at jud kaayo akong lawas, wala ko na satisfy sa akong gipakita,” Sonsona said in a post-fight interview.
“Gusto ko mag train pa ug maayo para mobalik nato akong dula sauna nga kusog ug paspas, after ani mo train nako ug sugod para dili na ni mausab nga mura ko ug nabag-ohan, murag 50 percent ra jud akong nakaya nga gipakita.”
However, Sonsona’s manager Sammy Gello-ani said he is satisfied with his ward’s performance as he vowed to give the former a busy schedule against tough Latino fighters.
ALBARACIN STOPS
TAMPUS
In the action-packed chief supporting fight, WBO Oriental super bantamweight champion Jessie “The Terminator” Albaracin retained his crown with a fifth round TKO victory over challenger Marvin Tampus Singwancha.
It was a close fight in the first three rounds until Tampus Singwancha slipped which was declared by the referee as a legitimate knockdown.
In the fourth, Alabaracin’s power and speed knocked Tampus out of the ring and in the fifth, his powerful hooks sent Tampus down to the canvas twice before referee Danrex Tapdasan reached the count of 10 at the 1:56 mark.
Johnriel Casimero won by technical knockout at the start of the second round against TI Yamagata Sentillas. Casimero landed a hard right at the end of the first round sending Sentillas down hard prompting medics to rush to his aid.
Sentillas’ corner protested that their boxer was hit after the bell sounded. While GAB supervisors viewed the replay, Sentillas told Dr. Jose Unabia that he will not continue fighting. The controversial punch was also ruled as “hitting Sentillas as the bell sounded.”
Cebuano super flyweight prospect Jason Canoy (12-1-1, 8 KOs) scored a crushing first round stoppage of a heavier Erwin Pulvera (3-12-3, 2 KOs) while undefeated super bantamweight Jerry “Dangerous” Nardo (11-0, 5KOs) of Bacolod scored a six-round majority decision victory over Cebu’s Ryan Illustrisimo (5-4, 1KO).
The score cards read 59-55, 59-55 for Nardo and 57-57.
In the other undercard bouts, Reymalon Labao won by TKO at the start of the 4th round against Dante Paulino, Weng Haya beat Eman Labanza by unanimous decision after eight rounds while Jessie Cris Rosales won by 6th round TKO against Edison Serrano. /with Correspondent KATREENA BISNAR
