Philippines, 21 Jan 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


SONSONA, LOPEZ MEET FACE TO FACE


PhilBoxing.com




TORONTO -- Team Sonsona is headed to the Rumble at Rama anytime now. At the time I saw Marvin Sonsona?he was a few pounds over his weight limit of 115lbs.? Having met to interview his Manager? Dr. Rajan Yraola and Team Sonsona at the Cabbagetown Boxing club, all were very accommodating with welcoming me and answering any questions I had and it was certainly my pleasure to finally meet the legendary promoter Sammi Gello-Ani in person. ?

I mentioned to Dr. Raj that many fans are eager to know about this young and up and coming GenSan boxer, his style and how he is progressing with his training in Toronto.? It’s been a very usual summer here this year which is cooler than normal but according to Dr. Raj, the time zone difference and the cool weather has not affected Marvin’s training and conditioning.??

I mentioned that Marvin is in the fight of his life against veteran Jose Carita Lopez who has not lost in eight years.? Sonsona is ready and primed to go as I seen him work with his fast hands in motion with Coach Nonito Donire Sr.? Marvin plans to stay at this weight class for a few years, three if possible and you will see that his style boxing could be very close to Nonito Donire jr’s ring savvy as mentioned by Dr. Raj.?

I interviewed Jason Abelson, Fight network journalist and Ed Lee from Atin Ito Filipino-Canadian Media shortly after the presser at the Delta Chelsea Hotel, Gerrard St. location who gave me these quotes from the presser.? For the first time today Jose Carita Lopez and Marvin Sonosa met face to face but there wasn’t a lot said but these are the quotes from the presser from each fighter.

Jose Carita Lopez said:

“I know he is a strong, fast fighter, but I didn’t work this hard to become champion just to give my belt away.”

“I respect my opponent greatly, but with all his skills, it’s nothing I haven’t seen and dealt with before.”

Marvin Sonsona said:

“I know this fight will be a tough one, but I’ve trained hard, and am confident that if I stick to my game plan I’ll come home a champion.”

“Lopez is a tough, tough man. This should be a great fight.”

Sonsona is facing the true test against a battle proven and championship tested warrior from Puerto Rico.? This matchup is a tall task but I believe Marvin has a good chance at snatching the belt from Lopez if he gets the older boxer into trouble early in the fight.? As Team Sonsona heads to Rumble at Rama today, many of us Filipino Canadians will cheer for him and hope that he may be blessed in the ring.

Top photo: Reigning Puerto Rican WBO superfly champion Jose 'Carita' Lopez (L) and Filipino challenger Marvin Sonsona meet in person for the first time during Tuesday's press conference at Chealsea Hotel in Toronto. Photo by Alan Tremblay.


L-R: World champion Jose Lopez, WBO official, Steve Molitor, Marvin Sonsona and promoter Sammy Gello-ani at the Chealsea Hotel in Toronto. Photo by Alan Trembay.


Team Sonsona in Toronto (L-R): Donaire, Sr., Gello-ani, Sonsona, Agrabio and Dr. Yraola.


Sonsona (L) doing the mitts with trainer Nonito Donaire, Sr.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rob Cruz.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • OLYMPIC BOXING 7: 1936 OLYMPICS AT BERLIN, GERMANY
    By Maloney L. Samaco, , Wed, 21 Jan 2026
  • Usyk and Zuffa Boxing Negotiations Update
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 21 Jan 2026
  • Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: Twelve Years Later, Don José is Still With Us
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Tue, 20 Jan 2026
  • Get know “BIG BAD BAZLEY”as he retuns March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
    , Tue, 20 Jan 2026
  • “Jye Chin brings a fight to whoever, whenever and where ever”: Jye Chin ready for WBC title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
    , Tue, 20 Jan 2026
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 18 JANUARY 2026: Nikita Tszyu-Michael Zerafa End in No Contest; Raul Curiel Outpoints Jordan Panthen
    By Eric Armit, , Mon, 19 Jan 2026
  • Ryan Daye ready for WBC title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
    , Mon, 19 Jan 2026
  • RAUL “EL CUGÁR” CURIEL CRUISES TO UNANIMOUS DECISION WIN OVER JORDAN “THE PATRIOT” PANTHEN
    , Sat, 17 Jan 2026
  • Weights from Philadelphia
    , Sat, 17 Jan 2026
  • Mexico Commemorates 12th Death Anniversary of Don Jose Sulaiman (Photos)
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 17 Jan 2026
  • MOLLY McCANN EYES 'HUGE' STATEMENT START TO 2026 AS SHE JOINS BUMPER WOOD-WARINGTON CARD IN NOTTINGHAM ON FEBRUARY 21
    , Sat, 17 Jan 2026
  • NEW MAIN EVENT ANNOUNCED! RAUL CURIEL SCHEDULED TO FACE JORDAN PANTHEN IN MIDDLEWEIGHT SCRAP
    , Fri, 16 Jan 2026
  • SMALLS VS RAMOS TOPS STACKED UNDERCARD FOR NAVARRETE-NUNEZ BLOCKBUSTER IN GLENDALE
    , Fri, 16 Jan 2026
  • Usyk Linked to Zuffa Boxing Deal as Questions Loom Over Title Defenses
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Fri, 16 Jan 2026
  • Abass Baraou: "No One Has Been Able to Withstand My Pressure!"
    , Fri, 16 Jan 2026
  • Wise Owl Boxing Signs Rising Female Star Chantel “Chicanita” Navarro
    , Fri, 16 Jan 2026
  • Mauricio Sulaiman: WBC wants to protect fighters' dream of becoming a world champion
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 15 Jan 2026
  • Xander Zayas: "It's Time to Make History!"
    , Thu, 15 Jan 2026
  • Weights from Trenton, NJ
    , Thu, 15 Jan 2026
  • Pro Boxer and Recent Grad Returns for Fight Night on the Farm — Celebrating Stanford’s Boxing Community
    , Thu, 15 Jan 2026
  • Jamaine Ortiz Aims to Derail Keyshawn Davis’ Undefeated Streak at Madison Square Garden
    , Wed, 14 Jan 2026
  • “No bad blood from me”- Good friends become better rivals – Clarke is ready for Cruiserweight title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
    , Wed, 14 Jan 2026
  • Itauma suffers injury; Magnificent 7 rescheduled to March 28
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 14 Jan 2026
  • Top Super Lightweights Bryan Flores & Starling Castillo Battle in 10-Round Main Event of ProBoxTV’s ‘The Contender Series’
    , Wed, 14 Jan 2026
  • Harden surpasses Shaquille O'Neal's to become the ninth all-time leading scorer in NBA history
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 14 Jan 2026




  •  



     
    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
    © 2026 philboxing.com.