HOBOKEN, N.J. (Feb. 5, 2010) –Unbeaten Wilfredo “WV2” Vazquez, Jr., the proud son of 2-time world champion Wilfredo Vazquez, Sr., plans to make Puerto Rican history Feb. 27 when he fights the 19-year-old being billed in the Philippines as the next Manny Pacquaio, “Marvelous” Marvin Sonsona, for the vacant World Boxing Organization (WBO junior featherweight title, headlining one of two sensational shows airing on pay-per-view in North America..
The double-barrelled “The Double Assault” is presented by PR Best Boxing Promotions in Puerto Rico, in association with All Star Boxing and Sampson Boxing LLC, and KO Entertainment in Cancun, Mexico. The unique broadcast is being distributed in the United States and Canada by Integrated Sports for live viewing at 9 PM/ET – 6 PM/PT on both cable and satellite pay-per-view via iN Demand, DIRECTV, TVN, DISH Network, Viewer’s Choice and Shaw PPV for a suggested retail price of only $34.95.
The action starts at 9 PM/ET live from Reben Rodriquez Coliseum in Bayamon, Puerto Rico, with hometown hero Vazquez, Jr. (17-0-1, 14 KOs) taking on former WBO Super Flyweight champion Sonsona (14-0-1, 12 KOs) for the vacant WBO junior featherweight belt. Unbeaten cruiserweight prospect Carlos Negron (7-0, 6 KOs), 2008 Puerto Rican Olympian, provides chief support in a 6-round bout against an opponent to be determined.
Vazquez, Jr., the WBO Latino super bantamweight champion, is rated No. 2 by the WBO, while former WBO super flyweight titlist Sonsona is ranked No. 3.
“This is a very important fight because we will make history in Puerto Rico by being the first father and son World Champions, also with the same promoter (Tuto Zabala, Jr.),” Vazquez, Jr. explained. “I will leave everything in the ring to accomplish it. Sonsona is a very good boxer. It will be a good fight for fans to watch. I have trained very hard and I hope he did, too. He had a strong amateur background and I had no amateur fights, but they chose the wrong opponent to move up in weight to fight. Nothing is personal, it’s all business.
“There’s no added pressure on me because of my father. It’s different times. I see him as my father and trainer. I am relaxed and will do this for my family. For boxing fans who haven’t seen me, you will see me focused to secure his family’s future. I am a young, exciting fighter. I will win, by decision or knockout.”
Vazquez, Sr. was a great bantamweight and super bantamweight in the late eighties and early nineties who had a pro record of 56-9-2 (41 KOs). “I am happy and proud,” he said about his son. We will make history February 27. No pressure, I trust Tuto Zabala, Jr. like nobody else. We will win. My son fights like me. He inherited my punching power and he punches like a junior welterweight. He does his own thing but I feel he fights like me or even better. Fighting was easier, no doubt, than watching my son fight.”
The spotlight will then shift to El Polyforim Benito Juarez in Cancun, Mexico, where former WBA light heavyweight champion Hugo Hernan “Pigu” Garay takes on highly world rated “Hard Hittin’” Chris Henry for the WBA Interim light heavyweight title. Former WBA & WBC super flyweight title-holder Cristian Mijares drops back down to his natural weight class versus TBA.
Garay (32-4, 17 KOs), rated No. 3 by the WBA, is a popular Argentinean who defeated Yuri Barashian by decision for the WBA light heavyweight title in 2008, successfully defended against present WBO Interim champion Juergen Braehmer by decision, and then lost his belt by decision last June to Gabriel Campillo.
WBA No. 4-ranked Henry, fighting out of Houston, is coming off of an explosive win by sixth-round technical knockout of Shaun George last July on ESPN. Henry has been the NABF, NABA, IBA Inter-Continental and USNBC light heavyweight champion during the past four years.
Mexican boxer Mijares, rated No. 5 by the WBA and No. 14 by the IBF, was one of the world’s top pound-for-pound boxers after winning a decision against Alexander Munoz in their 2008 WBC/WBA super flyweight unification match.
Integrated Sports Media: North America’s leading distributor of International Pay-Per-View and Closed Circuit sports events has presented World Championship and world-class boxing matches featuring Ricky Hatton, Christian Mijares, Evander Holyfield, Roy Jones, Jr., Ivan Calderon, Rocky Martinez, Nicolai Valuev, Amir Kahn, Marco Antonio Barrera, Arthur Abraham, David Haye, John Ruiz, and Ruslan Chagaev. In addition, Integrated Sports Media distributed numerous International soccer matches showcasing teams like Club America of Mexico and the National Teams of Argentina, Honduras, El Salvador and the USA, as well as World Championship and world-class mixed martial arts shows featuring Fedor Emelianenko, Tim Sylvia, Bobby Lashley, Bob Sapp, Jeff Monson, and Roy Nelson. For more information on upcoming Integrated Sports events visit www.integratedsportsnet.com.
Orion Sports Presents Sonsona-Vasquez on Feb. 27
TORONTO, ON (Feb. 4, 2010) – Orion Sports Management, one of Canada’s top boxing promotional companies, presents a star-studded night of world championship boxing, featuring a pair of world title fights, Saturday night, Feb. 27, from Bayamon, Puerto Rico and Juarez, Mexico, live on Viewers’ Choice Pay Per View, and Shaw Cable.
The action starts at 9 PM/ET live from Bayamon’s Ruben Rodriquez Coliseum, as Orion’s own, rock-fisted former WBO Super Flyweight champion “Marvelous” Marvin Sonsona (14-0-1, 12 KO’s) faces hard-hitting hometown hero Wilfredo “WV2” Vasquez, Jr. (17-0-1, 14 KO’s) for the vacant WBO Junior Featherweight belt.
Sonsona, a native of General Santos City, in the Philippines, quickly endeared himself to Canadian fight fans in 2009, with two scintillating performances at Casino Rama, in Rama, Ontario.
Last September, the baby-faced 19 year-old Sonsona showed his true fighting mettle, dethroning reigning WBO Super Flyweight champion Jose “Carlito” Lopez, over twelve grueling, action-packed rounds.
Just three months later, Sonsona followed up his title winning conquest of Lopez, with an equally courageous 12 round split decision draw with challenger Alejandro Hernandez.
Prior to the fight, Sonsona, who had grown two inches in height since defeating Lopez, was forced to relinquish his title on the scale, despite several determined attempts to make the 115 lb. Super Flyweight limit.
“Marvin has already shown that he’s amongst the best young fighters in the world,” said Allan Tremblay, President of Orion Sports Management.
“He has incredible power, unyielding heart, a chin of iron, and an unquenchable desire to keep learning and improving. But he’s facing an unbelievable young fighter in his own right, in Wilfredo Vasquez Jr.”
“This fight should tell us who the best young undefeated fighter in the world truly is.”
In the evening’s co-feature, the spotlight will shift to El Poloforim Benito Juarez in Cancun, Mexico, where former WBA Light Heavyweight champion Hugo Hernan “Pigu” Garay takes on highly world rated “Hard Hittin’” Chris Henry for the WBA Interim light heavyweight title.
Also, former WBA & WBC super flyweight title-holder Cristian Mijares drops back down to his natural weight class versus TBA.
“Asalto Doble” is presented by PR Best Boxing Promotions in Puerto Rico, in association with Orion Sports Management, SGG Sports Promotions, Warriors Boxing, All Star Boxing, Sampson Boxing LLC, and KO Entertainment in Cancun, Mexico. The unique, double-barreled broadcast is being distributed in the United States and Canada by Integrated Sports for live viewing at 9 PM/ET – 6 PM/PT on both cable and satellite pay-per-view via iN Demand, DIRECTV, TVN, DISH Network, Viewer’s Choice and Shaw PPV for a suggested retail price of only $34.95.
There’s no love lost between Vasquez (17-0-1, 14 KOs), the proud son of former world champion Wilfredo Vasquez (56-9-2, 41 KOs – WBA bantamweight champ 1987-88, WNA super bantamweight champ 1992-95), and the fighter being billed in the Philippines as the next Manny Pacquaio, 19-year-old Sonsona (14-0-1, 12 KOs).
Vasquez, rated No. 2 by the WBO, and WBO No. 3 ranked Sonsona are fighting for the world title vacated by Juan Manuel Lopez. Vasquez is the reigning WBO Latino junior featherweight champion.
Garay (32-4, 17 KOs), rated No. 2 by the WBA, defeated Yuri Barashian by decision for the WBA light heavyweight title in 2008, successfully defended against present WBO Interim champion Juergen Braehmer by decision, and the popular Argentinean lost his belt by decision last June to Gabriel Campillo.
WBA No. 6-ranked Henry, fighting out of Houston, is coming off of an explosive win by sixth-round technical knockout of Shaun George last July on ESPN. Henry has been the NABF, NABA, IBA Inter-Continental and USNBC light heavyweight champion during the past four years.
Mexican boxer Mijares, rated No. 5 by the WBA and No. 14 by the IBF, was one of the world’s top pound-for-pound boxers after winning a decision against Alexander Munoz in their 2008 WBC/WBA super flyweight unification match. He unsuccessfully moved up to fight as a bantamweight and has dropped back to super flyweight.
Eric Hunter Added to a Loaded Card this Friday Night at the Legendary Blue Horizon
What do you get when you have a boxing card that features the Former World Jr. Amateur champion; European Amateur Champion; the USBA Jr. Middleweight champion; a U.S. Olympic Alternate; National Women’s Amateur champion; an undefeated (7-0) Welterweight plus two potential slugfests featuring four Philly fighters?
All those ingredients will be stirred up into one boxing card this Friday night at The Legendary Blue Horizon that will make up the annual Valentine’s Day show.
The card is promoted by Vernoca L. Michael and Blue Horizon Boxing Inc.
The American Red Cross will be present and is encouraging the boxing fans of Philadelphia to help in the relief efforts after the devastating earthquake in Haiti that took place last month.
Just added today, former U.S. Olympic Alternate, Eric ‘The Outlaw’ Hunter will take on former world title challenger Roberto Bonilla in a six round Featherweight bout.
The main event will feature USBA Jr. Middleweight champion, Derek ‘Pooh’ Ennis battling Edwin Vazquez in a non-title bout scheduled for eight rounds.
Hunter, of Philadelphia has a record of 11-1 with four knockouts is still regarded as one of the top Featherweight prospects as the ‘Outlaw’ is still just twenty-three years old and six straight wins since his only blemish when he dropped a six round split decision to Carlos Vinan back in 2007.
Hunter was a 2004 United States Olympic Alternate after he racked an amazing 187-4 record as an amateur.
Bonilla of Nicaragua has a record of 22-11 with thirteen knockouts and will definitely present a test stern test for Hunter as Bonilla has fought some of the biggest names of the lower weight classes.
In Bonilla’s eighth fight he scored a sixth round knockout over former world title challenger Adonis Cruz (31-5-2).
Bonilla has shared the ring with Joel Luna Zarate (33-3-2); former IBF Bantamweight champion Luis Perez (19-1); Perennial contender Ricardo Vargas (36-9-3); in back to fights he lost to former world title challengers Evert Briceno (15-0) and Cecilio Santos (14-3-2).
The tough sledding was only just beginning for Bonilla as he has dropped five straight but to look at those five opponents any boxing fan could tell that Bonilla has been thrown to the wolves as that list reads:
In a bid to win the WBA Super Bantamweight title, Bonilla was defeated by top-ten pound for pound fighter Celestino Caballero (23-2); Former World Title challenger Rey Bautista (19-0); Former two-time world champion Oscar Larios (56-5-1); Daniel Diaz (14-1) and in Bonilla’s most recent bout he dropped a ten round unanimous decision to former world champion Eric Morel (40-2) on March 28, 2009.
In the main event, Ennis (19-2-1, 12 KO’s) takes on Vazquez (22-14-2, 8 KO’s)
Undefeated Welterweight, Ronald Cruz (7-0, 4 KO’s) takes on the upset specialist Martinus Clay (13-23-4, 5 KO’s) in a six round bout.
Former World Junior Amateur champion Joey Dawejko (1-0) makes his long awaited area debut when he takes on Ricardo Johnson (1-0) in a four round Heavyweight bout.
In what looks to be a Cruiserweight slugfest of Philadelphians, Tim Johnson (4-1, 2 KO’s) takes on Charles Hayward (2-2, 1 KO) in a bout scheduled for four rounds
Former European Heavyweight amateur champion, Andreas Gustafsson of Sweden, who holds an amateur win over currant WBA Heavyweight champion David Haye, will risk his 3-0 record against Levay King (0-1) in a Heavyweight bout scheduled for four rounds.
In a battle of Philadelphia Jr. Welterweights, Clemente Bethea makes his pro debut against Henry Northan (0-1) in a bout scheduled for four rounds.
Former U.S. ladies Amateur champion, Jackie Davis (3-0) takes on Melisenda Perez (6-1, 4 KO’s) in a bout scheduled for four rounds in the Welterweight division
QUOTES FROM WEDNESDAY’S PRESS CONFERENCE
Billy Briscoe (Trainer for Martinus Clay)—Martinus will fight anybody. It doesn’t matter because a fight is a fight. He will take this young boy into deep waters and drown him. Cruz will find out how tough it is to go from fighting somebody who is 1-4 to someone who has forty fights and who has fought some of the best fighters on the planet
Clemente Bethea—I am excited to what I have to do. I would like to thank promoter Vernoca Michael, who has already made an impact on me and things I need to do outside the ring.
Charles Heyward—I have trained extra hard for this fight. Tim Johnson better watch out on Friday night.
Joey Dawejko—I am really looking forward to my hometown debut.
Local Sports caster Keith Russell of ABC 6 will be a guest ring announcer
THE FIGHT CARD WILL BE BROADCASTED ON WWW.GOFIGHTLIVE.TV FOR A PRICE OF JUST $5.99
Tickets are going fast for this exciting boxing event. The perfect pre-Valentine gift for your boxing enthusiast.
Ticket prices for this great night of boxing are $200 for Queen Seating, $125 for Presidential Seats, $65 for VIP Seating, $55 for Ringside Seating and $45 for General Admission Seating. Tickets can be purchased by calling 215-763-0500 or through PayPal by clicking www.legendarybluehorizon.com/html/tickets.html Doors open at 6:30 PM / First Bout begins at 7:30 P.M.