Former World Boxing Organization (WBO) Super Flyweight Champion “Marvelous” Marvin Sonsona is in Oxnard, California, preparing for his fight against Orlando Cruz with budding superstar trainer Pablo Sarmiento of Sergio “Maravilla” Martinez fame.
Sonsona (16-1-1, 13 KOs) will face Orlando “El Fenómeno” Cruz (18-2-1, 9 KOs) in the 10-round main event of Sampson Boxing and Greg Cohen Boxing’s “The Moment of Truth”, at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, in Las Vegas, and televised live on ESPN Friday Night Fights.
In the televised co-feature that night, Russian heavyweight power puncher Magomed “Mago” Abdusalamov (14-0, 14 KOs) will defend his WBC United States (USNBC) Silver Heavyweight Championship in a 10-round battle against fellow up-and-coming heavyweight Maurice “Freight Train” Byarm (13-1-1, 9 KOs).
“Working with Pablo, I give Marvin an excellent chance in his quest to once again be world champion,” said his promoter, Sampson Lewkowicz of Sampson Boxing. “He was the youngest Filipino world champion in history and now that he has matured, with his talent, I have no doubt that he will regain the crown at 126 pounds.”
Lewkowicz says Sonsona has reason to want to look good: his countrymen back home will be watching. “I am very happy with my partner Sammy Gello-Ani in the Philippines who has secured TV-5 so that all Filipinos will have the opportunity to watch Marvin’s performance.”
21-year-old Sonsona is a native of General Santos City, Cotabato del Sur, Philippines. His only career loss was to Wilfredo Vazquez Jr. for the vacant WBO super bantamweight Championship in February 2010. In Cruz, he will be facing a fellow southpaw, who represented his homeland of Puerto Rico at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia.
“Pablo is a master strategist and by fight time Marvin will be fully prepared to put on an amazing show. He is headed straight back to the top, working with a super trainer with Pablo Sarmiento.”
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Headlining the undercard, popular heavyweight and current interim PABA Heavyweight Champion “Bronco” Billy Wright (37-4, 28 KOs) will continue his successful comeback in a six-round bout.
Also scheduled to fight six-round bouts are Las Vegas, via Puerto Rico, super middleweight Carlos De Leon Jr (21-3-2, 14 KOs); Las Vegas via Accra, Ghana, middleweight KO artist Bastie Samir (10-0-1, 10 KOs); and undefeated Las Vegas featherweight Rocco Santomauro (8-0).
Scheduled for a four-rounder is Jackson, Michigan, cruiserweight William “Lil’ Tyson” Williams (5-2-1, 4 KOs).
Orlando Cruz appears courtesy of Tuto Zavala’s All Star Boxing. Marvin Sonsona is co-promoted by Sammy Gello-ani of SGG Sports Promotions of the Philippines.
All undercard opponents are TBA.
Tickets for “Hard Rock Boxing” are priced at $29 general admission, $60 reserved, $100 ringside and $200 VIP and are available at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino box office daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and through Ticketmaster, either by calling 702-474-4000 or 800-745-3000, or by going online at ticketmaster.com.
On fight night, doors open at 5:00 p.m. and the event starts at 5:30 p.m. All bouts are subject to change.
For updates, visit www.sampsonboxing.com or www.gcpboxing.com.
Maurice Harris Joins Betfair Prizefighter International Heavyweights II
JOINS BETFAIR PRIZEFIGHTER INTERNATIONAL II
June 7, 2012 – Heavyweight contender Maurice “Sugar Moe” Harris (25-16-2, 11 KOs), ranked No. 13 by the International Boxing Federation (IBF), has joined the 8-man Betfair Prizefighter International Heavyweights II line-up set to take place on Wednesday, June 20, at York Hall, Bethnal Green, London, live on Sky Sports.
Harris will compete against fellow contestants Albert Sosnowski (48-4-2, 28 KOs), Marcelo Luiz Nascimento (16-3, 14 KOs), Noureddine Meddoune (5-1, 4 KOs), Tom Dallas (15-2, 11 KOs), Tom Little (3-0), Kevin Johnson (26-1 12 KOs) and Tor Hamer (15-1, 10 KOs).
After a questionable loss against local favorite Edmund Gerber (20-0, 13 KOs) in his native land of Germany last month, Harris, who felt he was robbed, promises to give it his all once again when he travels overseas to fight.
“When I got robbed last month in Germany, I was upset and wanted to get back in the ring as soon as possible,” Harris said. “I want to thank my promoter Mario Yagobi of Boxing 360 for getting me this opportunity. Ten years ago, I fought in the Thunderbox Tournament and won it all, which is what I plan to do in this one.”
“June 20 promises to be a real tear-up at York Hall with eight huge hitters gunning for the big prize,” show promoter Eddie Hearn said. “Johnson, Sosnowski and Harris bring plenty of calibre to the table and for Dallas it’s a big chance to crash the British heavyweight party. As for Tom Little – what a night for a 24-year-old with just three fights on his CV. He has nothing to lose and everything to gain and I’m sure he will come out all guns blazing.”
Tickets for the Betfair Prizefighter International Heavyweights at York Hall, Bethnal Green are on sale and priced at $40 (unreserved) $60 (ringside) and $120 (VIP). Tickets are available from Matchroom Sport on 01277 359900 and at www.matchroomboxing.com.