MANILA, Philippines – Filipino world boxing champions Brian “Hawaiian Punch” Viloria and “Marvelous” Marvin Sonsona were hailed today (Sept. 8) by supporters in the nation’s capital.
According to a TV report, Viloria and Sonsona graced a press conference arranged by the Manila City Council this morning at the Manila City Hall. The two titlists then participated in a motorcade around the city.
Viloria, a Filipino-Hawaiian, successfully defended his IBF light flyweight crown last Aug. 30 against Mexican Jesus Iribe. It was his first defense of the title he won from Ulises Solis last April.
Sonsona, 19, became the youngest Filipino world champion after outworking Puerto Rico’s Jose Lopez last Saturday to annex the WBO super flyweight crown.
Viloria and Sonsona compose the Philippines’ elite cast of world champions — joining boxing icon and IBO light welterweight boss Manny Pacquiao, WBA interim super flyweight titlist Nonito Donaire Jr. and WBO minimumweight king Donnie Nietes.
