Sonsona new WBO superfly king

MANILA, Philippines - Marvin Sonsona made his overseas debut a very memorable one when he outclassed Jose Lopez of Puerto Rico yesterday and wrested the World Boxing Organization super-flyweight crown at the Casino Rama in Ontario, Canada.

At 19, Sonsona, became one of the youngest Filipino world champions ever. Manny Pacquiao, now the best fighter in the world, was 13 days short of his 20th birthday when he won the WBC flyweight title on Dec. 4, 1998.

The Filipino southpaw nicknamed “Marvelous” was indeed marvelous in his first fight outside of the Philippines, knocking down the 37-year-old champion with a solid left in the fourth round. He won by unanimous decision.

The Filipino crowd that came to see Sonsona fight exploded in cheers when his arms were raised in victory. A report said tears flowed down the boxer’s cheeks as he looked down the championship belt already strapped to his waist.

“It feels great to win,” Sonsona, through an interpreter, was quoted as saying. “Lopez is a veteran fighter and a great champion. It’s a great win for me.”

Sonsona proved to be as good as advertised as he remained undefeated in 14 fights with a dozen knockouts while Lopez, defending his 115-lb crown for the first time, looked rocked several times as he fell to 39-8-2 with 32 KOs.

Reports said Sonsona, from Gen. Santos City like Pacquiao, would make his first title defense on Nov. 21 in Canada.

Just a month ago, Sonsona was at The STAR office to grace the newspaper’s 23rd anniversary celebration. He hardly drew any attention, especially when he got up the stage with Pacquiao.

Now he’s a world champion, and things will be quite different.

“Lopez was such a tough fighter, and winning a decision against him shows that I’m a real fighter, and a worthy champion. The Filipino people here were so great, and made me feel at home. That helped give me the strength to be a champion,” he told fightfan.com.

Sonsona became the fourth reigning champion from the Philippines after IBF flyweight king Brian Viloria, WBA Interim world super-flyweight champ Nonito Donaire, and Pacquiao, the IBO light-welterweight titlist and pound-for-pound king.

He won on all scorecards, 114-111, 115-110 and 116-109, and must have felt the thrill of fighting overseas. He had gone no farther than Cebu, Cagayan de Oro, Palawan and Binangonan, Rizal for his first 13 fights.

With his victory over Lopez, who looked hurt and ready to go a number of times, Sonsona looked ready to go a little farther than Canada.

On the eve of Sonsona’s fight, Pacquiao talked about the joy of having his fellow countrymen winning titles on the ring.

“I’m so happy that it’s not only me who’s bringing pride and honor to our country,” said Pacquiao.

Rodel Mayol of Cebu will try to make it five-for-five for the Philippines when he takes on the undefeated WBO light-flyweight Ivan Calderon in Hato Rey, Puerto Rico on Sept. 12.

“It was a classic fight from the opening round as the smiling kid with blond highlights (Sonsona) met the veteran, battle-scarred champ. It was a fight that saw flurries of fists and dramatic changes of momentum,” wrote Dave Dawson of Packet and Times.

“Sonsona, sporting fresh stitches over his right eye, said he thought the bout was going to be stopped in the fourth when he knocked Lopez down,” Dawson also wrote, adding that the loss was the first after a string of 16 wins for Lopez.