BLAME it on typhoon Pepeng.
With the effects of Typhoon Pepeng, Marvin Sonsona’s camp has finally called off his scheduled training in Baguio City and will instead continue his training in Cebu City.
“After meeting with the team, we finally decided to continue training in Cebu and possibly depart early for US. Sorry for the sudden change,” said promoter Sammy Gello-ani in a text message to Baguio boxing promoter Raffy Panagan.
Panagan earlier said they have been preparing for the arrival of Sonsona (14-0, 12 KO’s) two weeks ago but the WBO super flyweight champion was unable to make it to the Summer Capital because of the two typhoons that hit Luzon.
“It is difficult to train in Baguio right now and I agree there are far too many distractions for the boy (he is 18 years old) in Manila,” added Gello-ani.
Gello-ani said Sonsona’s inability to travel to Baguio and hookup with Donaire Sr. had set back his training in preparation for his November 21 first title defense against Mexico’s Alejandro “Payasito” Hernandez (22-7, 11 KO’s) at the Casino Rama in Ontario, Canada.
It was learned that the General Santos City sensation has been working out at the Elorde gym in Manila and the entire team is now on their way to Cebu City.
One of his trainers, Nonito Donaire Sr. who was stranded in Baguio City, returned to Manila when there was a break in the weather and flew to Cebu City Monday morning.
Gello-ani said the plan to have Sonsona train in Cebu is because “it is difficult to train in Baguio right now.”
The undefeated 19-year-old sensation won the title with an impressive unanimous 12-round decision over rugged veteran Jose “Carita” Lopez of Puerto Rico at the same venue last September 4 when he dropped the champion with a stunning left hook and stood toe-to-toe with the hard-hitting Puerto Rican until the final bell.
