Philippines, 04 Apr 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


SONSONA LOSES TITLE TO THE SCALES, FIGHT ENDS IN SPLIT DRAW


PhilBoxing.com


It did not turn out to be a very marvellous return to Canada for Marvin Sonsona. He was 2.6 lbs. over the junior bantamweight or superflyweight limit during the official weigh-in which according to the rules of the Ontario Athletic Commission takes place during the same day as the fight. Sonsona had no choice but to vacate his world title.

Alejandro Hernandez of Mexico still needed to beat him to get the WBO world title belt. Questions were raised as to whether Sonsona was too weak and dehydrated to last the fight.

Sonsona still managed to finish the twelve round distance and prevented what would have been his first career loss. Sonsona tried to use his long reach and superior boxing skills to keep the challenger at bay. But Hernandez was persistent and closed the distance to land hooks to the body and head.

Sosnona had moments when he could have ended it early but his punches lacked their usual sting, especially his right jab. It became a close and physically draining battle as both boxers took turns pummelling each other.

The scores read: 115-113 Sonsona, 115-113 Hernandez and 114 all.

The 23 year old Hernandez ring moniker ?Payasito? means little clown. In 2008, he lost in his first attempt to win a world title against WBO flyweight king Omar Narvaez of Argentina by unanimous decision. To his credit, Hernandez (22W-8L-1D, 11KO's) preserves his reputation of having never been knocked out.

Ciso ?Kid Terrible? Morales of Talibon, Bohol won by eight round majority decision over Miguel Gonzales of Mexico. The 21 year old Morales used roughhousing tactics to neutralize his opponent?s height and reach advantage. The scores: 77-75, 78-74 for Morales and one judge had it 76 all.

Morales remains undefeated at 14 W-0L, 8 KO?s. He is ranked number 8 in the world by the WBO in the superbantamweight division and is the reigning WBO Oriental 122 lb.titlist. Both Sonsona and Morales spent their training at the IPI Gym in Mandaue City, Cebu under the guidance of Nonito Donaire,Sr.

The 19 year old 5?7? Sonsona was never expected to stay long at the 115 lb. division. He was going to bulk up sooner or later. Unfortunately, it happened before he could officially win his first title defense. Sonsona is now 14W-0L and 1 draw with 12 KO?s.

He had trouble shedding the excess pounds despite the sweat suits and training under the hot Cebu weather. Sonsona managed to do it in his title win against Jose Lopez. Sonsona has to realize that he cannot get away with it all the time. Weight fluctuations, if continued for a prolonged period, would have been detrimental to his health and career. Whether he needed to prepare for a longer period or could have benefited from the services of a nutritionist will be discussed by boxing pundits in the days to come.

The prelude to this fight brought back unpleasant memories of Manny Pacquiao and Malcolm Tunacao losing their WBC flyweight titles under similar circumstances; Dehydration in their efforts to make the weight lead to both boxers suffer knockout losses in Thailand.

Sonsona?s management team decided not to place their boxer in a similar and potentially calamitous position. There are plans for the southpaw from Gen. Santos City to campaign at the 122 lb. division.

It was at the Casino Rama in Ontario, Canada where he won the WBO superflyweight title from Jose ?Carita? Lopez of Puerto Rico by 12 round unanimous decision last September. Sonsona underwent a baptism of fire in his title win as he went past the fifth round for the first time.

POSTSCRIPT:

Sonsona entered the Philippine sports record books as the second youngest Filipino world boxing champion. He has set another record, but not the one he wants people to remember: Sonsona?s reign only lasted 2 months and 17 days.

This breaks the record of the shortest title reign of junior welterweight Roberto Cruz who won and lost his world title in a span of 2 months and 25 days in 1963.

Other short championship reigns include Manny Melchor, who in 1992 won and lost the IBF minimumweight title in 3 months and 4 days. In 2000, Joma Gamboa won and lost the WBA minimumweight title in a span of 3 months and 16 days.



Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rene Bonsubre, Jr..


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Press Conference Notes: Richard Torrez Jr. and Guido Vianello Ready to Trade Leather in Las Vegas Heavyweight Headliner
    , Fri, 04 Apr 2025
  • Avoided Kingsley Ibeh Demands his Seat at The Heavyweight Table
    , Fri, 04 Apr 2025
  • Team USA Advances Two More Boxers to Medal Rounds at World Boxing Cup: Brazil 2025
    , Fri, 04 Apr 2025
  • Undefeated Super Welterweight Prospect Alex Bray Signs Promotional Agreement with Boxlab Promotions
    , Fri, 04 Apr 2025
  • PRE-SALE TICKETS FOR THE 2025 US OPEN POOL CHAMPIONSHIP AVAILABLE FROM 14 APRIL
    , Fri, 04 Apr 2025
  • PSME Abu Dhabi overall champion in the PTC-WED in UAE
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 04 Apr 2025
  • The Hard Road of Young Nationalista
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Thu, 03 Apr 2025
  • 5 Pinoy boxers to fight in Japan
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 03 Apr 2025
  • Transatlantic Clash II - "Battle at the Bridge"
    , Thu, 03 Apr 2025
  • Marco “El Tiburón” Romero moving up to scheduled 6-round bout next
    , Thu, 03 Apr 2025
  • Filipino chess phenom wins at Spring Blitz Chess Championship in Dubai
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 03 Apr 2025
  • Team USA Advances Two More Boxers to Medal Rounds at World Boxing Cup: Brazil 2025
    , Thu, 03 Apr 2025
  • IM Bagamasbad eyes GM title in Australian Chess Circuit
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 03 Apr 2025
  • SAMPSON BOXING SIGNS TOP UNDEFEATED LIGHT FLYWEIGHT CONTENDER ERICK BADILLO TO CO-PROMOTIONAL CONTRACT
    , Thu, 03 Apr 2025
  • TURKISH KNOCKOUT ARTIST ELIF NUR TURHAN PENS PROMOTIONAL DEAL WITH MATCHROOM
    , Thu, 03 Apr 2025
  • The Past Week in Action 31 March 2025: Norman Stops Cuevas in 3; Mayer Outpoints Ryan; Zepeda Edges Farmer; Collazo Stops Cano; Yabuki KOs Ayala
    By Eric Armit, , Wed, 02 Apr 2025
  • Wild and Wooly Wind-up Seen in West Top 3-6
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Wed, 02 Apr 2025
  • Rise of the Samurai: Inoue vs Nakatani in 2026
    By Carlos Costa, , Wed, 02 Apr 2025
  • Undefeated super middleweight prospect Tommy Hyde a true Irish Road Warrior In Australia for April 11th fight
    , Wed, 02 Apr 2025
  • Melvin the Avenger
    By Joaquin Henson, , Wed, 02 Apr 2025
  • WORLD-RANKED LIGHTWEIGHT ARMANDO MARTINEZ RABI TO FACE ALBERTO GUEVARA IN MAIN EVENT OF FISTS OF FURY 6
    , Wed, 02 Apr 2025
  • Carlos Flowers Shines on Day One for Team USA in World Boxing Cup: Brazil 2025
    , Wed, 02 Apr 2025
  • Tellez Sisters Reina and Gabriela Sign with Boxlab Promotions
    , Wed, 02 Apr 2025
  • Arena Grand Master Mohamad Sacar sweeps 1st Vientiane Open FIDE Rated Standard Chess Tournament
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 02 Apr 2025
  • Unbeaten junior middleweight prospect Anthony “ATV” Velazquez Ready to bust out of New England
    , Tue, 01 Apr 2025




  •  



     
    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
    © 2025 philboxing.com.