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Philippines, 19 Apr 2026 |
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Intensity Training with Team Sonsona By Oliver A. Gabito, DDM PhilBoxing.com Thu, 20 Aug 2009  Manila -- In a few days, GenSan rising star “Marvelous” Marvin Sonsona will depart for Canada for his highly anticipated bout against Jose Carita Lopez of Puerto Rico for the World Boxing Organization Super-flyweight title. Because of the highly talked match-up between Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto, also of Puerto Rico, for the WBO crown, the rivalry continues and is heating up to be Puerto Rico versus Philippines this coming September 4th at a neutral country Canada. Yesterday, this writer went to Elorde Gym, Gilmore, to watch and observe Marvelous Marvin Sonsona’s training with head coach Jun Agrabio and coach Dodong Donaire. I was excited on watching the team in their final week of intense training which have been going on for two months now with 150 plus rounds of sparring, but still their persistence in practice is getting more and more intense each day as the fight gets nearer. Dr. Rajan Yraola said, “The team is one hundred percent ready, and is geared up to fight Carita Lopez. Marvin is at his peak and he is in great shape to vie for his first world title, there is no reason why he would not bring home the title. Many people don’t understand that Marvin has two hundred plus amateur fights, as well as engaging against veteran fighters during sparring sessions most of whom cannot take his power. We will prevail and Marvin will prove his worth of being a world champion this coming September 4th. After this bout no one will ever doubt his ability.” The day training started with Sonsona engaging himself on a sparring spree with several topnotch fighters at Elorde Gym, such as PABA titlist boxer Rey Migrenio who recently knocked out former world champion and defending PABA champion Ratanapol Sor Vorapin, their sparring was heavy, and you can see a lot of heavy punches being thrown by both boxers inside the ring. However, you can hear the intensity of power punches thrown and landing by both boxers with Marvin getting the upper hand of each round. During their sparring session, Sonsona with adrenalin running high, informed both coaches he wanted more rounds, they continued with boxer Jonel “Mulawin” Alivio for another four rounds. The experience and endurance of Mulawin inside the ring was of great help in pushing the boundaries of Sonsona. As you recall on past Philboxing articles, Mulawin Alivio was also the sparring partner of Nonito Donaire Jr. however, Alivio informed, “there is a deference in the power department and workmanship of Sonsona compared to Nonito, Jr. “Marvin Sonsona hits like a mule and is more aggressive compared to Nonito, Jr.,” said Mulawin. To finish up Sonsona's sparring session, both coaches called upon featherweight prospect Jose Ocampo to finish up the rounds, Ocampo was the fighter who recently won over previously undefeated and highly touted fighter Glenn Gonzalez of the Braveheart stable. My observation on Sonsona just from looking into the ring when he sparred with Ocampo, I cannot believe that he looks huge for a super flyweight. He stands taller and bigger than Jose Ocampo and Ocampo is a junior lightweight. I can really see that Marvin will be a multi title holder in the future with his 5’ 8” frame. In fact during their sparring with Ocampo, you can really see the difference of a prize fighter when you see one, Ocampo is good, however Marvin is just a fighter in another level. The quality of his movement, powerful jabs and uppercuts delivered perfectly make the difference. Somehow youth also is really an advantage to this game of professional boxing, the eagerness and hunger to become a world champion are always in the fighter's eye. Sonsona, during this particular workout, was clearly in top shape and well conditioned. He was not catching his breath during each round and was calm and composed. He delivered punches with accuracy and flowed smoothly in his lateral movements as taught by his coaches. Both Agrabio and Donaire, Sr. said, “We were amazed on how Sonsona executes his timing, speed, and accuracy of his punches that we showed him, he is really a natural gifted child that listens well. He is really a good student of the game.” In my opinion and outlook on Sonsona, he seems enjoying his time that he spends at the Gym, and the determination of wanting more shows me that he is already a world class fighter. In my experience in seeing fighters at the gym, a fighter who is eager during practice is a fighter who will deliver a positive outcome. You just know that something good will happen with this kid. Marvin’s workmanship, determination and enthusiasm to the sport of boxing are really showing, you can see whenever he puts on the gloves to train or to spar with other boxers, you can see the change from a boy with youthful playful laughs to a serious fighter willing to achieve his destiny to become a world champion. I’ve had seen changes during the sparring of Sonsona, a lot of improvements on his footworks, style and movements. It has been much better improvements since I last saw him practicing at Gerry Pe?alosa’s gym at Mandaluyong. Also, with Team Sonsona rightful thinking of training with a bigger ring really helped Marvin performed better with his movement and other various moves taught by Donaire, Sr. and Jun Agrabio. It will surely be beneficial against the punching styles of Jose “Carita” Lopez. Even at such a young age, Marvelous Marvin Sonsona is showing a level of maturity that I had never seen on some of the young Filipino boxers. Sonsona showed me that he is a thinking fighter with a game plan in mind that delivers such devastating punches. What amazed me is how Marvin was polite in asking questions to his coaches, the styles of both coaches Jun Agrabio and Dodong Donaire will surely be a big factor for Marvin Sonsona's victory and surely he will be the next World Boxing Organization Super-Flyweight champion coming out of the Philippines. For all Filipino fight fans, the airing on our local channel will be announced shortly. Gello-ani of SGG Sports Promotions is on his final stage of negotiations with the network that will air “Rumble in Rama IX” and the telecast will be shown on the morning of September 5, 2009 here at the Philippines. Top photo: Marvin Sonsona (R) does the mitts with trainer Jun Agrabio as Nonito Donaire, Sr. observes in the background. Click here to view a list of other articles written by Oliver A. Gabito, DDM.  |
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