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Philippines, 05 Feb 2026 |
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MARVIN SONSONA'S VICTORY PRESS CONFERENCE IN CEBU By Rene Bonsubre, Jr. PhilBoxing.com Thu, 10 Sep 2009  Marvelous Marvin Sonsona, Gen. Santos City's latest gift to Philippine boxing, arrived in Cebu Wednesday afternoon and had a thanksgiving mass and press conference at the Cebu City Sports Club. Sonsona won the biggest fight of his young career when he beat Puerto Rico's Jose Lopez by unanimous decision for the WBO superflyweight world title last September 5 in Ontario, Canada. He arrived in Manila two days ago and was given a victory parade together with IBF jr.flyweight champ Brian Viloria who recently had a successful first defense against Jesus Iribe. The Cebu City press conference was also attended by his manager Dr. Rajan Yraola, trainer Jun Agrabio, promoter Sammy Gello-ani, and WBO Asia-Pacific chief Leon Panoncillo. Sonsona thanked the Filipinos here and abroad for their support and prayers. He attributed his success to hard work, faith in God and self-confidence. He thanked the Cebuano fans and press corps who have been supporting him when he started to fight here in Cebu. Sonsona started his career in 2007 where most of his early fights were held in Binangonan, Rizal and televised on NBN's TV boxing program “IN THIS CORNER”. He then fought in Cebu starting July 2008 and subsequently won the WBO Asia-Pacific Youth and WBO Oriental flyweight titles. Sonsona said that he had no problem with the Canadian rules of having the weigh-in at the same day of the fight. Sammy Gello-ani thinks Sonsona can have three to four more fights at 115 lbs.before moving up. Sonsona was very calm before the fight and was even dancing in his dressing room to keep the pre-fight jitters away. Marvin was also very thankful for the Filipinos in Canada for their support. He felt very much at home and they were very hospitable. Rajan Yraola said that the Filipinos already had a celebratory atmosphere even before the fight began. They mobbed Marvin before and after the fight. He has no plans of changing his boxer's ring monicker. “All of Marvin's fights are marvelous. If we change his ring name, he would no longer be Marvin.” Coach Agrabio and Sonsona acknowledged the contribution of Trainer Nonito Donaire, Sr. They said that they have adopted Donaire as the “father of their team.”Agrabio was very open minded to working with Donaire and their egos were shelved just to insure Marvin's victory. For the record, Team Sonsona has no plans to fight Nonito Donaire. Jr. They emphasized that we should look for more champions and not let Filipino champs fight each other. Coach Agrabio said Marvin still has to learn a lot of things. He acknowledged Lopez as a tough customer and he said he made Sonsona pay for his mistakes. But when Lopez hurt him in the eight, Marvin's confidence never wavered and he got his second wind. Leon Panoncillo and Sammy Gello-ani stressed the importance of looking for new talents in the Philippines. Sonsona proved himself to be the real deal and there are more like him waiting to be discovered. Sonsona is scheduled to defend again in Canada on November 21 against a still to be named opponent. He will be given a break and he will be vacationing in Thailand. Marvin's dream opponent is Jorge Arce. He answered this question without hesitation. Now, that's one fight I would pay to see. Top photo: Sonsona (C) with WBO Vice-President Leon Panoncillo (L) and Canadian former world champion Steve Molitor after Sonsona's triumph in Canada Sep. 4. Photo by Rob Cruz. Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rene Bonsubre, Jr..  |
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