Philippines, 20 Mar 2023
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        




 
 
News  


GELLO-ANI HAS TAPPED ON THE FILIPINO FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH


PhilBoxing.com




International promoter Sammy Gello-ani has done it again!!

When newly crowned WBO super flyweight king Marvelous Marvin Sonsona wrested the crown from Jose Lopez of Puerto Rico just last night in Rama, Ontario, Canada via 12 round unanimous decision and making him the 2nd youngest Filipino to ever do such a thing, Gello-ani could be seen quietly smiling in the background with his arms raised in victory, as Sonsona became Gello-ani's second boy wonder.

Ironically or fatefully, a younger Gello-ani was also the handler and advisor to former Filipino world boxing champion Morris East before he won the world championship. In 1992, after Gello-ani's guidance, East became the youngest Filipino world boxing champion. Morris East was just 19 yrs old when he won the WBA Jr welterweight title with an 11th round TKO of a Japanese fighter. East still holds the distinction as "youngest"over newly crowned champion Sonsona by just 2 months.

The Cebu based boxing icon who is now known worldwide in boxing circles as "Sammy G" has made a believer out of all the boxing critics who had said his boy was "too young and inexperienced to be a world champion" [wonder what they will say now?]. Gello-ani was ridiculed by naysayers in the newspapers for putting a boxer who was "to young and unproven". Well, Sonsona put an end to that nonsense by stripping the belt from the pants of defending champ Lopez and thus Gello-ani has become the hottest promoter in the Philippines bar none.

I spoke with Gello-ani just after the fight, and he said this, "We are so happy right now for Marvin and all the team, Only a few people believed in us. But, I knew that Marvin would do this.. We are all coming home tomorrow to the Philippines with the world crown." Just last year Sammy G was awarded the WBO promoter of the year from WBO President Paco Valcarcel, and WBO Asia Pacific/Orient boss Leon Pononcillo in appreciation for all of the world class WBO regional title fights that SGG Promotions has brought to the Philippines during 2008. Now Gello-ani has brought another world title belt to another Filipino fighter.

Gello-ani of course could not claim all credit for the Marvelous victory. The young ones Team of the good Dr, who has obviously done a great job in getting his boxer to Sammy G, along with the prodigies, long time Filipino trainer, who really taught the kid to fight, and certainly equally important the "professor" Donarie. But the credit must go to Sammy G for getting Team Sonsona hooked up to Sampson Promotions and Orion Inc. This was a team effort of the best kind. The future is certainly bright for the new world champion Sonsona and his team, and they really did prove everyone wrong with their kid's great victory.

But the reputation of boxing promoter Sammy G just took a ride on boxings fame train. I don't think that when Sammy G again arranges a world title fight for his next teenage protege that the critics will forget his fountain of youths.

FOOTNOTE: I have two 17 year old boys who are both 2-0 as pros. You listening Sammy G?

Top photo: Promoter Sammy Gello-ani (L) looks at Marvin Sonsona before Friday night's historic fight at Casino Rama in Ontario, Canada. Photo by Rob Cruz.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ken Smith, ABA.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Camigue beats Pangga in Davao
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 20 Mar 2023
  • GMG Youth Chess Challenge FIDE Rated chess tournament on May 20
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 20 Mar 2023
  • This can’t be serious
    By Joaquin Henson, , Mon, 20 Mar 2023
  • JOSHUA VS. FRANKLIN UNDERCARD CONFIRMED
    , Mon, 20 Mar 2023
  • MERCITO “NO MERCY” GESTA GOES THE DISTANCE AGAINST JOSEPH “JOJO” DIAZ AND SECURES SPLIT DECISION VICTORY
    , Sun, 19 Mar 2023
  • Surigao Fianchetto Checkmates pushes winning streak to 3 at 2023 PCAP tourney
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 19 Mar 2023
  • SPORTSCLOPEDIA 47: CHARLY SUAREZ WANTS TO FIGHT HIS OLYMPIC NEMESIS THEN SHOOT FOR THE WORLD TITLE
    By Maloney L. Samaco, , Sun, 19 Mar 2023
  • IM Concio wins Balinas Rapid Chessfest
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 19 Mar 2023
  • Boxing guru still slugging
    By Joaquin Henson, , Sun, 19 Mar 2023
  • PATTINSON VS. JENKINS WEIGHTS AND RUNNING ORDER
    , Sat, 18 Mar 2023
  • OFFICIAL WEIGHTS JOSEPH "JOJO" DIAZ, JR. VS. MERCITO "NO MERCY" GESTA SATURDAY, MARCH 18 - LIVE ON DAZN
    , Sat, 18 Mar 2023
  • 29 teams in Athletics Festival
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 18 Mar 2023
  • WEIGHTS FROM DUBAI: MILLER - 333 LBS., BROWNE - 277 LBS.
    , Sat, 18 Mar 2023
  • Angel Vazquez Collides With Mohamed Soumaoro, March 22nd Live On PROBOX TV
    , Sat, 18 Mar 2023
  • A FAR CRY FROM A JOB DONE - ALEX “THE A ROCK” WINWOOD RACES TO #13 IN WBC RANKINGS EN ROUTE TO TOP PRIZE
    , Sat, 18 Mar 2023
  • Suarez bags 4 titles in Australia
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 17 Mar 2023
  • CANELO VS. RYDER – SAN DIEGO PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
    , Fri, 17 Mar 2023
  • ZURDO VS. ROSADO AND UNDERCARD PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
    , Fri, 17 Mar 2023
  • Weights from Pittsburgh, PA
    , Fri, 17 Mar 2023
  • NEWCASTLE NXTGEN PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
    , Fri, 17 Mar 2023
  • “THE RECONQUEST” KIM CLAVEL VS. NAOMI REYES April 28 at Place Bell in Laval, Canada
    , Fri, 17 Mar 2023
  • FORMER CHAMP LUCAS BROWNE SAYS FIGHT AGAINST JARRELL MILLER WILL BE ‘TWO SILVER BACK GORILLAS’ IN THE RING THIS SATURDAY NIGHT, MARCH 18, IN DUBAI
    , Fri, 17 Mar 2023
  • IRELAND'S WALSH RELISHES THE CHALLENGE OF BEING ROACH’S NEW PROJECT
    , Fri, 17 Mar 2023
  • World’s Greatest Boxing Promoter Don King Signs Exciting Superstar Bad Boy of Boxing, Adrien Broner; Four-Time World Champion Ready to Go Back to Work
    , Fri, 17 Mar 2023
  • DAZN LAUNCHES CHANNEL 429 ON SKY AHEAD OF ANTHONY JOSHUA FIGHT ON APRIL 1
    , Fri, 17 Mar 2023




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2023 philboxing.com.