05.09.09 – HOLLYWOOD, FL, September 9– Boxing’s new Marvelous Marvin doesn’t come from Brockton, Massachusetts, and his last name isn’t Hagler, but General Santos City’s Marvelous Marvin Sonsona entered boxing history books last Friday night by defeating Jose Lopez for the WBO super flyweight title, and this 19-year old phenom is just getting started on what many believe will be a memorable fistic career. “It was a brilliant performance by a brilliant fighter,” said Sampson Lewkowicz, President of Sampson Boxing. “I think some people doubted whether Marvin was ready for this step up, but I always had faith that he was going to win and win impressively. I think he will reign atop the division for as long as he wants to, and then go on to win even more titles in the future..”
“I’m in awe of this talented young man, and there’s no doubt that Marvin Sonsona is on his way to boxing superstardom,” said Leon Margules, Executive Director of Seminole Warriors Boxing. “The way he performed in the biggest fight of his life last Friday in just his 14th fight was something you don’t see too often, and I can’t wait for boxing fans here in the States to see him.”
A five foot seven southpaw who has thrilled fight fans in just two short years as a professional, Sonsona (14-0, 12 KOs) set the table for Friday’s win with his second round stoppage of 68-fight veteran Wandee Singwancha in May, and at Casino Rama in Ontario, he joined the world championship ranks with a hard-fought 12 round unanimous decision win over Puerto Rico’s Lopez (39-8-2, 32 KOs), who hadn’t lost in 16 fights dating back to 2001.
Sonsona, who is promoted by Sampson Boxing, Seminole Warriors Boxing, Orion Sports, and Sammy Gello Anni, was honored upon his return home by Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim for his spectacular victory and status as the Philippines’ youngest world champion. The new champion will make his first defense of the World Title on November 21st, in the same Casino Rama ring, in Ontario, Canda.
Team Sonsona congratulates Marvelous Marvin Sonsona on winning the world title.
Filipino Sensation ‘Marvelous’ Marvin Sonsona Tops Jose Lopez in Thriller
Nineteen year-old ‘Marvelous’ Marvin Sonsona (14-0, 12 KO’s) cemented his reputation as one of boxing’s best young fighters, emerging from 12 rounds of hellacious action with Jose ‘Carita’ Lopez (39-8-2, 32 KO’s) as the new WBO Jr. Bantamweight champion courtesy of a bruising unanimous decision win in the main event of Rumble at Rama IX. Scores were 116-109, 115-110, 114-111 in favour of Sonsona.
“Lopez was such a tough fighter, and winning a decision against shows that I’m a real fighter, and a worthy champion,” Sonsona said moments after the official decision was announced.
Both fighters fought up to their well deserved reputations with the powerful Sonsona landing bombs throughout the fight, flooring Lopez with a huge left hook in the fourth, and wobbling the indomitable Puerto Rican numerous times.
For his part, Lopez gave as good has got, regularly returning fire, and scoring his own meaningful shots that stunned Sonsona.
In the end, it was Sonsona’s ability to adapt throughout the topsy-turvy twelve rounds that made him the youngest Filipino world champion in history.
“The Filipino people here were so great, and made me feel at home. That helped give me the strength to be a champion.”
In the co-main event, former IBF 122 lb. world champion “The Canadian Kid” Steve Molitor improved to 30-1, with 12 KO’s with an impressive fifth round knockout over a game, but thoroughly outclassed Dario Azuaga.
An aggressive Molitor marked his reunion with old trainer Chris Johnson by pressing the pace throughout the fight, landing with meaningful combinations before dropping Azuaga once in the fourth and ending matters with a punishing flurry to the body in the fifth.
“It was like old times,” Molitor said of working again with Johnson, who was chief second for in the Canadian’s corner for his title winning KO over Michael Hunter in November of 2006, and four subsequent successful title defenses.
“I was confident, throwing in combinations, and felt like the same dominant fighter I was before. It’s only a matter of time before I get my hands on that second world title.”
In other action from Rumble at Rama IX…
Canadian Heavyweight champion Greg Kielsa and hulking heavyweight Kevin Montiy had their ten round bout stopped in the second round after Montiy sustained a gash over his left eye as a result of a head butt. The fight was announced as a technical draw, but rules dictate that it in fact should have been a no-contest.
Stephan Boyd stopped Pedro De Melo in round two of their Super Middleweight showdown.
Felix Mercedes hammered debuting Dan Caron, stopping the Toronto resident in round one.
Justin fountain outlasted Freddie Abbiw scoring a four round unanimous decision.
ABOUT: Orion Sports Management is an Ontario based promotional company known for staging first classboxing events. Run by former Canadian Airline executive Allan Tremblay, Orion is the force behind Ontario’s biggest match ups, from their launch event at The Air Canada Centre (”The Night Of The Hurricane”) to a series of televised events in the Niagara region featuring “Baby Joe” Mesi, Razor Ruddock, Egerton Marcus, Chad Brisson, and Steve Molitor.
Operating 24-hours a day, seven days a week since July 31, 1996, Casino Rama is Ontario’s only First Nation’s commercial casino. The Casino offers a complete entertainment experience with over 2,500 slot machines, more than 110 gaming tables, nine unique restaurants; a world-class 5,000 seat Entertainment Centre and a 300-room all-suite, full-service hotel, featuring spa and health club facilities. Casino Rama is operated by Penn National Gaming, Inc.