INQUIRER Sports

WBO superflyweight champ “Marvelous” Marvin Sonsona sparred for eight rounds against Richard Betos of the Braveheart Boxing Club Wednesday afternoon as he puts his preparation for his first title defense into second gear at the IPI Gym in Mandaue City.

Sonsona spent a week of training in Gen.Santos City before transferring to Cebu last week. Trainer Nonito Donaire, Sr. and promoter Sammy Gello-ani moved the training camp from Talisay City to the IPI Gym in Mandaue City.

Sonsona also hit the punch mitts with Donaire while his morning roadwork consists of running up the hills of Busay.

The 19 year old southpaw is undefeated in 14 fights with 12 knockouts and is the second youngest Filipino boxing champion in history. He will make the first defense of his world title belt against Mexico’s Alejandro Hernandez (22W-7L-1D, 11KO's) on Nov. 21 in Canada. Hernandez has never been knocked out.

WBO Oriental superbantamweight titlist Ciso ‘Kid Terrible’ Morales also trains in the same gym and has also sparred with Betos. Morales spent Wednesday afternoon hitting the punch mitts and heavy bag and had a defensive drill in which Donaire chased him around the ring and tried to hit him. He will fight in the undercard against Mexico’s Miguel Angel Gonzales Piedras (10W-1 L, 4 KO’s).

The fight card is billed “Runble in Rama X” and will be held in Orillia, Ontario, Canada.