Training camp begins as Sonsona arrives in Vegas

CEBU, Philippines – Former WBO super flyweight champion "Marvelous" Marvin Sonsona (19-1-1, 15 KOs) arrived yesterday in Las Vegas to continue working with trainer Jun Agrabio, Sampson Boxing stablemate and fellow former world champion John Riel Casimero, as well as strength and conditioning coach Angel Heredia, for his upcoming fight against Puerto Rico's Jayson "La Maravilla" Velez (22-0-1, 16 KOs).

Team Sonsona will be training at Roy Jones Jr.'s Gym.

Ranked #2 WBC, #5 WBA, #4 IBF and #12 WBO, Sonsona, will face Velez (ranked #3 WBC) in a final elimination bout to face champion Jhonny Gonzalez and in defense of his NABF Featherweight Championship.

While working with Agrabio, the 24-year-old Sonsona of General Santos City has rededicated himself to his boxing career and the results have shown. He knocked out former world champion Akifumi Shimoda in three brutal rounds last February and then avenged his only loss, to Wilfredo Vazquez Jr. by way of a split decision victory in June.

"I'm very happy that Sonsona and Casimero are working together in Las Vegas, my hometown," said the pair's co-promoter, Sampson Lewkowicz of Sampson Boxing (along with Sammy Gello-ani), and I'm looking forward to having two more champions for my promotional company in the very near future."

Casimero from Ormoc City  is currently waiting to face the winner of the upcoming IBF flyweight title fight between current champion Amnat Ruenroeng and China's Zou Shiming in March.

After a very successful run as a matchmaker and adviser,Lewkowicz switched over to the promotional side of professional boxing in January 2008.

Sampson Boxing has grown into one of the world's most prestigious promotional firms, representing many of the world's best fighters and most promising young contenders.

Sampson Boxing has promotional partners all over North and South America, Africa, Asia, New Zealand, Australia, Europe and Central America and Sampson Boxing events have been televised on such premiere networks as HBO, Showtime, ESPN, VS, and several international networks. (PR from philboxing.com) (FREEMAN)