WHEN a young upstart faces a seasoned veteran for a world championship, his chances of winning are slim, but 19-year-old Marvin Sonsona defied all the odds and brought home a world title to the Philippines. His Filipino promoter Sammy Gello-ani believes that it was the kid’s confidence, heart and will to win that empowered him to dethrone the 37-year-old champion Jose Lopez last Sunday at the Casino Rama in Canada.
“Nobody believed in Marvin. But he was confident of himself and he delivered,” said Gello-ani of the tall and skinny teenager fighter.
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Although, his opponent Lopez has 48 fights compared to his 13 fights coming into the championship clash, Sonsona never doubted himself. Even if he was hurt at times, he never gave up and continued to fight to achieve his goal to become a world champion.
“I didn’t even think of surrendering. I just placed in my head that I was ahead (on points). In the ninth, 10th, 11th and 12th rounds I regained my strength and my wind and I thank the Lord for that,” said Sonsona.
Second youngest
After winning a 12-round unanimous decision over Lopez, Sonsona, the newly crowned World Boxing Organization super flyweight titlist, became the second youngest Filipino world champion and became the first Filipino to ever win a world title in Canada.
A possible battle between Sonsona and fellow Filipino world titleholder, interim World Boxing Association super flyweight king Nonito Donaire Jr. are brewing. However, the youngster has no intentions of facing his fellow countryman, Donaire Jr.
“I won’t fight Donaire because we are both Filipinos and world champions. If he was not Filipino then I would fight him but we are both Filipinos,” said Sonsona.
No fight
Like Sonsona and international matchmaker Sampson Lewckowicz, Gello-ani has the same thoughts and that he assured that the 19-year-old Filipino champion won’t fight Donaire Jr. ever.
“I think, as the promoter of Sonsona, I have to say this that I support Sampson that this fight won’t happen because they are both Filipinos. It is the culture of the Filipinos to give glory to the country,” said Gello-ani.
Sonsona will be returning to the ring on Nov. 21, still at the Casino Rama in Canada. He will be leaving for Thailand on Saturday for a well deserved vacation with his trainer Jun Agrabio.
After his rest he will comeback to the Philippines and train in Baguio City for his upcoming title defense.
Sonsona said that his devotion and his dedication in training was the main reason of him becoming a world champion.
“You must have faith in God and work hard like what I did,” advised Sonsona to his fellow Filipino fighters.
