MANILA, Philippines – Whether Marvin Sonsona can still regain his “Marvelous” moniker will be known Saturday night when he tangles with dangerous Mexican Carlos Jacobo at Hoops Dome in Lapu-Lapu City.
Sonsona, who became the WBO world champion at 19 only to lose the title to the scales two months later, hasn’t fought for 20 months since suffering a fourth-round knockout loss to WBO super bantamweight champion Wilfredo Vasquez Jr. He must win convincingly against the Fecombox titlist to get back on the radar.
It won’t be easy, however, as Jacobo is a seasoned 24-year-old with a mean right straight. He has knocked out 14 of his 16 victims in a career result that includes three losses and one draw.
Jacobo predicted in yesterday’s official weigh-in at the J Center that he’s going to knock out Sonsona in their 12-round showdown dubbed “Back with a Vengeance.”
Having learned his lessons, Sonsona (14-1-1 with 12 KOs) refused to promise a stoppage, insisting instead that fight fans will see the Marvelous Marvin of old—speedy, flashy and fearless.
Now 21 years and half an inch taller at 5-foot-7 ½, Sonsona, who trained for nearly three months, tipped the scales at 123 pounds, the same weight of the 5-foot-8 Jacobo.
If Sonsona beats Jacobo, a Mercedes Benz and lucrative fights are in store for him in Las Vegas, fight promoter and matchmaker Sampson Lewkowicz told Philboxing’s Rene Bonsubre Jr. yesterday.
Supporting bouts pit Jonriel Casimero, the former WBO interim light flyweight titlist, against TI Yamagata Sentillas and Jessie Albaracin against Marvin Tampus Singwangcha for the WBO Oriental super bantamweight crown.
Casimero and Sentillas both came in at 111 lb for their 10-round non-title duel. Albaracin of Davao weighed 121 lb while Singwangcha tallied 122.
The bouts will be telecast live over AKTV on IBC Channel 13 starting at 9 p.m.
Also included in the fight card, an undertaking of TV5 in cooperation with Sammy Gello-ani’s SGG Promotions, are the Reymalon Labao (134 lb)-Dante Paulino (141.5) 8-round tussle, Jayson Canoy (113.5) versus Erwin Pulvera (122.5) for 6 rounds; Weng Haya (130) against Eman Labanza (131) for 8 rounds; Jerry Nardo (123) versus Ryan Illustrisimo (121.75) for 6 rounds; and Jessie Cris Rosales (130.5) against Edison Serrano (132) for 4 rounds.
Gello-ani said he wants Sonsona to get a real test and prove that he still got what it takes to become a world champion.
According to AKTV’s Vito Lazatin, plans are afoot to stage monthly boxing cards throughout the country, including title fights on a quarterly basis.