Sonsona to defend crown vs Mexican

BAGUIO CITY , Philippines  – World Boxing Organization (WBO) superflyweight champion Marvin “Marvelous” Sonsona will make his first title defense against Mexican brawler Alejandro Hernandez in a 12-round bout on Nov. 21 in Canada.

Sonsona, who scored a stunning upset over dethroned champion Jose Luis Lopez in a grueling encounter last month, is set to hold camp in Baguio for a four-week high-altitude training.

But former Baguio councilor Rufino Panagan, a noted boxing promoter and manager, had advised Sonsona camp to temporarily hold the fighter’s roadwork in Metro Manila due to bad weather condition in the area.

The 19-year-old Sonsona, a General Santos native like boxing icon Manny Pacquiao, boasts of a 14-0 win-loss record, including 12 knockouts. He is currently training under Nonito Donaire Sr., father of Nonito Donaire Jr., the other Filipino world champion.

“The Sonsona camp was awed by the respect shown by Baguio and Benguet residents to the on-going training of Pacquiao, thus, they want to hold their high altitude training here. We will welcome Marvin the same way that we welcomed Pacquiao,” Panagan said.

He added that with dedication and hard work, Sonsona could be the next Pacquiao.

“But Hernandez is no pushover although Sonsona can hurdle his tough test with enough preparation,” Panagan said.

Sonsona will be holding his gym workouts at the Panagan gymnasium here and will do roadwork around the city.