'Triple Thrilla In Compostela' Sonsona, Marcial demolish foes

Cebu - World Boxing Organization (WBO) regional champions Marvin "Marvelous" Sonsona and Anthony "Rocky" Marcial kept their unbeaten records intact after knocking out separate rivals in the other night's well-attended "Triple Thrilla in Compostela" boxing promotion at the Compostela Sports Complex.

Sonsona, the reigning WBO Asia-Pacific Youth flyweight champion, stopped Jason Geda of Manila with nine seconds left in the first round, while Marcial, the interim WBO Oriental super featherweight title-holder, landed heavy bombs to the body to flatten Cris Alag of Butuan City in 54 seconds of round two.

At the start of the bell, there was already no doubt as to who was the dominant fighter as the aggressive Sonsona battered the hapless Geda at will. The end came when Geda could find no answer to Sonsona's fussilade of punches, prompting his corner to throw in the towel at 2:51 of round one.

Marcial, on the other hand, planted a series of energy-sapping body shots capped with a beautiful right straight to the chin that snuffed the air out of Alag's nose in the second round.

The General Santos City-native Sonsona, thus, improved his unblemished record to 10-0 now garnished with 9KOs, while Marcial, who hails from Zamboanga City, chalked up his 10th victory via stoppage in 11 pro fights.

In the other feature of the slambang triple-header bankrolled by GRW Productions in partnership with SGG Sports Promotions and the municipal government of Compostela under the leadership of Mayor Ritchie Wagas, former IBF minimumweight champion Florante "Little Pacquiao" Condes won by technical decision over a very game upstart Ronelle Ferreras.

The bout was stopped at 40 seconds of round five by referee Teddy Alivio upon the advise of ringside physician Jose Unabia as Condes suffered a nasty cut over his right eye due to accidental headbutt that rendered him unfit to continue the fight.

It was the first ring appearance of Condes (23-4-1, 20KOs) since losing his IBF belt by split decision to

Mexican Raul Garcia last July 14 at the Estadio Arturo C. Nahl in La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico.

Earlier, Manila-based Cebuano warrior Rodel Quilaton dethroned Ronald Castrodes by unanimous decision to emerge as the new PBF light flyweight titlist.

The rest of the undercards saw Fabian Manzano and Loloy de la Peña both winning by majority decision over Samuel Galinato and JR Mamulang, respectively, and Gerson Mercado prevailing over Rocky Nuñez by unanimous verdict.

Jeson Perater decisioned Elf Gitgano, while the match between Jason Canoy and Andy Seneres ended in a split draw. – EBV (THE FREEMAN)