MANILA, Philippines – ?Marvelous? Marvin Sonsona of General Santos City celebrated his 19th birthday yesterday with a vow to become the youngest Filipino world boxing champion in history and visiting international matchmaker Sampson Lewkowicz said the unbeaten 5-7 southpaw might just pull it off.
Lewkowicz, known as Golden Boy?s chief matchmaker, arrived here Friday morning and leaves tonight for Las Vegas where he lives. He flew in to finalize Sonsona?s contract to face WBO superflyweight champion Jose (Carita) Lopez in a 12-round bout at the Casino Rama, Ontario, Canada, on Sept. 4.
Ben Villaflor was the youngest Filipino world titlist ever, capturing the WBA junior lightweight crown at 19 years and five months in 1972. If Sonsona dethrones Lopez, he will take the record away from Villaflor. The challenger will be 19 years and two months when he fights Lopez.
Manny Pacquiao was also 19 when he won the first of his six world titles via an eighth round knockout over Chatchai Sasakul for the WBC flyweight crown in Thailand in 1998 but he was just two weeks shy of turning 20.
It won?t be an easy fight for Sonsona who is up against an experienced fighter. Sonsona turned pro only two years ago and has a 13-0 record, with 12 KOs while Lopez, 37, made his pro debut in 1991 and has compiled a 39-7-2 record, with 32 KOs. The Puerto Rican champion, making the first defense of the vacant crown he won on a decision over Thailand?s Pramuasak Posuwan last March, is unbeaten in his last 16 outings and his last loss was to Fernando Montiel in 2001. Lopez, a durable warrior, has never been knocked out.
Lewkowicz watched Sonsona work out at his manager Dr. Rajan Yraola?s gym in Tandang Sora, Quezon City, last Friday afternoon and was impressed.
?He?s got a very good body shot,? said Lewkowicz, an Uruguayan who is called ?Picasso? in boxing circles for his deft touch in matchmaking. ?I think he?s too fast for an old man. His combinations are blinding. I believe it will be a defining fight for Sonsona. Lopez is getting old and I think on Sept. 4, youth will prevail. But I?m not taking Lopez lightly. I know his style and what he?s capable of. At any time, he can win or he can lose. It?s a tough fight for a youngster because of Lopez? experience.?
In the end, Lewkowicz said Sonsona?s speed will make the difference.
?I can never forget Manny?s own rise to stardom,? he continued. ?In 2001, nobody in the US wanted to take a chance on him. But an opportunity came for him to fight (Lehlo) Ledwaba for the IBF superbantamweight title. I made the match and I knew Manny would win, just like I knew Manny would win over Oscar (de la Hoya) and (Marco Antonio) Barrera despite the odds. I think Manny likes being the underdog and Sonsona will be the underdog against Lopez.?
Lewkowicz said eight years after his gamble on Pacquiao paid off, he has a rare chance for a repeat with Sonsona. But this time, he won?t just be a matchmaker. Lewkowicz said he?s co-promoting the fight with Orion Entertainment.
?This fight will take Sonsona to the next level and I?m putting money on him as an investor,? said Lewkowicz. ?I think it would be great for the Philippines to welcome a new world champion to join (Donnie) Nietes, (Nonito) Donaire, (Brian) Viloria and Manny.?
To prepare for Lopez, Sonsona will be trained by Donaire?s father Dodong who was recommended by Lewkowicz? business partner and Filipino promoter Sammy Gello-ani.
?Donaire did a good job of training his son to become a world champion and he?s perfect for fighters in the 112 to 116 pound divisions,? said Lewkowicz.
The Lopez-Sonsona fight will be in the undercard of a main event featuring popular Canadian former world champion Steve Molitor. It will be beamed live to the Philippines and Lewkowicz said negotiations are going on with different networks bidding for the rights.
Gello-ani said Sonsona is ready for Lopez. ?He?s got Pacquiao?s power and Donaire?s moves,? he added.
?He may be skinny and lanky but he hits like a mule. He?s mature for his age.?
A southpaw like Pacquiao, Sonsona has lightning hand-speed and packs dynamite power in both fists.
Because of his frame, he could move up all the way to lightweight over time and might just be able to duplicate Pacquiao?s feat of winning titles at different weights.
International referee Bruce McTavish worked Sonsona?s fight against Thai veteran Wandee Singwangcha in Cebu last May and was surprised by the second round demolition.
?I didn?t think anyone so frail-looking could hit so hard but he puts a lot of body weight behind his punches,? said McTavish. ?He?s got speed and accuracy. His combinations are jarring. This boy is a heckuva fighter. When Sonsona threw that left uppercut, Wandee was out like a light. I didn?t bother to count. I called for the doctors right away because Wandee was out cold. He?s got the makings of a future world champion.?
Sonsona started boxing at the age of seven and was trained by his uncle Boy. His father, a former pro, used to bribe him with a soda just to get him to lace up the gloves in the gym. But Sonsona eventually developed a liking for the sport and racked up over 200 amateur fights, winning along the way five gold, 10 silver and nine bronze medals in local competitions. He was Batang Pinoy champion in 2002.
Although Sonsona has never fought abroad, Gello-ani said it won?t be a factor when he battles Lopez in Ontario. ?Sonsona?s very determined,? he went on. ?It doesn?t matter where the fight will be. I think Sonsona?s time has come.?
