'Marvelous' says he'll be back with a vengeance

MANILA, Philippines - Once considered the future of Philippine boxing only to fade as fast as his rise, “Marvelous” Marvin Sonsona claims he’s a changed young man as he revives his career against Mexican toughie Carlos Jacobo on Saturday at the Hoops Dome in Lapu-Lapu City.

Returning from a 20-month hiatus, Sonsona (14-1-1, 12 KOs) battles “Flash of Lightning” Jacobo (16-3-1, 14 KOs), eager to  live up to the “Back with a Vengeance” title of the card that will be aired live on AKTV on IBC 13 beginning at 9 p.m.

“I’m okay now. I’ve decided that boxing will be my career and dedicate my life to it,” Sonsona said in Filipino during a press conference that was also attended by promoter Sammy Gello-ani, Jacobo and his trainer Miguel Angel Meza Salazar, and AKTV sports manager Vitto Lazatin yesterday in Makati City.

“From now on, I will train diligently and without distraction and work hard because I was careless and blew my opportunity before,” he added.

The 21-year-old Sonsona rose to fame in 2009 by copping the WBO superflyweight title with a 12-round decision over Puerto Rican Jose “Carita” Lopez. He lost the belt for not making weight in his first defense against Alejandro Hernandez. That fight ended in a draw.

He moved up to superbantam in February 2010 to fight Puerto Rican Wilfredo Vazquez for the vacant WBO crown but got knocked out in four. It was downhill from there for Sonsona, who apparently lost his fire for boxing.

But before turning 21 last July, Sonsona returned to the fold of Gello-ani and vowed to prove he can be a champion again.

“I’m happy with what I’m seeing in the gym. I can see that he’s challenged to prove himself,” Gello-ani said.

But Jacobo, the reigning FECOMBOX (Mexican) superbantam titlist, is no easy picking.

“It’s not an easy fight. Even the group of (Ramon) Garcia (the Mexican fighter who fought Donnie “Ahas” Nietes in Cebu recently) attested to the fact that Jacobo is a really tough fighter,” said Gello-ani.

“But knowing what Marvin’s doing in the gym the last three months, I’m confident.”

Jacobo, who claims the right straight as his main arsenal, said he’s all pumped up against the former world champ.

“I’ve prepared very well for this fight. I’ve sparred 15 rounds per day the last two months and I’ve seen two previous fights of Sonsona,” Jacobo said through an interpreter.

Sonsona didn’t promise a KO but said he’ll try to figure out Jacobo’s weaknesses and go for the kill when opportunity presents itself.