Sonsona begins trek to redemption, faces ‘El Flaco’

MANILA, Philippines—”Marvelous” Marvin Sonsona retraces  his steps to glory when he battles Dominican Republic’s Carlos “El Flaco” Fulgencio, while Froilan “The Sniper” Saludar clashes with Mexican Alejandro Morales today in the Pinoy Knockout 1 double main event at Hoops Dome in Lapu Lapu City.

The 21-year-old Sonsona (15-1-1 with 12 knockouts) is taking small steps back to the world title which he attained in 2009, when he wrested the WBO super flyweight belt from Jose Lopez in Ontario, Canada.

“Now I have decided that boxing is my life,” said Sonsona in Filipino as he revealed that he fell on a downward spiral after a stunning 2010 defeat to Wilfredo Vazquez Jr. of Puerto Rico, the same guy Nonito Donaire Jr., recently defeated.

He officially weighed 126 lb during the weigh-in yesterday, the same number Fulgencio registered for their non-title bout.

Fulgencio, a tall featherweight at 5-foot-9, is sporting a 19-5-1 record and has won his last four fights, three of those via KOs. The visitor is said to pack a powerful punch and counter-attacking skills but he has also lost five times by KO, which speaks a lot about his toughness and staying power.

Saludar, brother of Olympic aspirants Rey and Victorio, wants to hit the big time as he stakes his WBO World Youth flyweight title against Alejandro Morales (12-1-1 with 7KOs).

However, Saludar will be trying to squeeze himself in a weight division crowded by Filipinos like reigning WBO champ Brian Viloria, whom he just might face as a mandatory challenger.