Bohol's
top boxing trainees
to assist promising Sonsona  | | As
soon as he arrives from the US, renowned trainer Nonito Donaire, Sr. will join
the team which Marvin Sonsona will be transferring to Cebu.
Donaire
has stated in the past that he dreams of producing another world champion for
the country even as an adviser or co-trainer. Donaire, Sr. will work together
with Sonsona's long-time trainer Feliciano "Jun" Agrabio. |
The
elder Donaire was responsible for leading his son, Nonito Jr. to the IBF flyweight
world title by unlocking the Vic Darchiyan puzzle leading to the fifth round knockout
win that was 2007's Upset of the Year.
Now
the elder Donaire will be working with a 19-year-old undefeated fighter who will
go up one division higher to face a 37-year-old veteran champion Jose "Carita"
Lopez (39 W-7 L-2 D, 32 KO's) of Puerto Rico who will be making the first defense
of his WBO superfly-weight title.
Sonsona
(13W-OL, 12KO's) has never gone past the fifth round and the last time his fight
went to the judges was during his pro debut, a four round decision win over Richard
Donaire.
|
| | Sonsona's
team have been working on his endurance and toughening up his mid-section in training
camp. Lopez has never been knocked out but Team Sonsona is confident they can
last the distance if necessary.
The
boxing community has been questioning Sonsona's readiness for this bout.
Can
a relatively untested teenager live up to the hype?
His
manager, Dr. Rajan Yraola is confident that Sonsona can do it. "They don't
know Marvin and what he is capable of doing in the ring," he said. |
Donaire
will obviously try to bridge the experience gap during training. Marvin has been
sparring with cousin Eden and also with Rey Megrino and Junel Alinio. But there
are actual fight situations that are tough to recreate in the gym. Sonsona has
said during an earlier interview that he has never been hurt or down in more than
200 amateur bouts. How will he react if things do not go his way?
He
will have to grow up fast as his ring maturity will be tested this September 4
in Ontario, Canada. Donaire's boxing mind will be tested as well.
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