The 'Marvelous One' is Back!

Filipino Sensation Marvin Sonsona to Rematch Wilfredo Vasquez Jr. on Martinez/Cotto at Madison Undercard at Madison Square Garden on June 7 By Allan Tremblay President, Orion Sports Management It was August of 2009 when I walked into the Cabbage Town Gym in Toronto and listened to the usual sounds that emanate from such surroundings. I was there to make contact with Marvin Sonsona, a young super flyweight that my good friend and matchmaker at the time, Sampson Lewkowicz, had contracted to appear on my show in September. As I strolled in, I was taken aback by the sound in the far corner of a fighter making contact with the heavy bag. The sound was different. The "crackling" nature of that sound alluded to the punching power that this young man possessed. This was my introduction to "Marvelous" Marvin Sonsona. Sampson pleaded with me at the time that, despite his youth, he was the best talent to come out of the Philippines since the legendary Manny Pacquiao. Reasoning that since Sampson had also discovered Pacquiao, he certainly had credibility in his argument. So it was on September 4, 2009, at the tender age of 19, "The Marvelous One" engaged in a "fight of the year" candidate in winning the WBO Super Flyweight Title over Jose Lopez of Puerto Rico before a sold out Casino Rama. Marvin returned shortly thereafter and spent a considerable period of time in Toronto while training for his first defense of that title. During that period I got to know him, fairly well. He did a number of public appearances in the Filipino community for me and appeared at a public sparring session as part of a fundraiser to garner funds for flood relief in the Philippines at the time. We raised over $250,000 that night with the assistance of the Canadian Red Cross as the Filipino Canadian community turned out in volumes to see Sonsona. Sadly, Marvin's first defense resulted in him losing the title on the scales, prior to engaging in another thrilling 12-round draw with Alejandro Hernandez. Marvin may have lost the title that night, but he had won over the fans in Toronto who never stopped asking what was next for "The Marvelous One". What was next was a step up over two weight divisions to challenge the undefeated Wilfredo Vasquez, Jr., for the vacant WBO Super Bantamweight Title in February of 2010. It proved too much of a reach for Marvin and he succumbed to the body attack by the much stronger Vasquez. Marvin returned to the Philippines and fought in each of the ensuing years through 2013. His dedication to his craft disappeared. He missed subsequent fight dates set up for him by Sampson, designed to get him back in the mix, so as not to let that immense talent go to waste. Despite the urging of both Sampson and Sammy Gello-Ani, his Philippine promoter, Marvin went through the motions rather than reach for the stars, as we all wanted him to do. Exasperated, but refusing to give up on Marvin, Sampson promised him a substantial payday and a crossroads fight against the number two-rated featherweight in the world, Akifumi Shimoda, at the Venetian Resort Casino in Macao on February 22 of this year. Marvin rose to the occasion with a stunning one-punch knockout of Shimoda in the third round. Was he back or was this a "one off" based on his incredible punching power? To find that out, Sampson has rematched him against Vasquez Jr. on the undercard of Martinez/Cotto at Madison Square Garden in New York on June 7. This is the big stage that Sonsona has been waiting for, but which Sonsona will show up? As a minority promotional partner in the young man, I am hoping he shows up having had a dedicated training regimen, hell bent on revenge. Hopefully the years that have passed have left "The Marvelous One" educated to the dedication of his craft. He owes this to Sampson and Sammy, who have stuck with him through thick and thin. He owes this to his fans who need a worthy successor to Pacquiao. And most of all, he owes it to himself for the road travelled. One thing is for sure. All his fans in Toronto will be watching and looking forward to the day he makes his way back North to where it all began.      ABOUT SAMPSON BOXING After a very successful run as a matchmaker and adviser, Sampson Lewkowicz switched over to the promotional side of professional boxing in January 2008. Sampson Boxing has grown into one of the world's most prestigious promotional firms, representing many of the world's best fighters and most promising young contenders. Sampson Boxing has promotional partners all over North and South America, Africa, Asia, New Zealand, Australia, Europe and Central America and Sampson Boxing events have been televised on such premiere networks as HBO, Showtime, ESPN, VS. and several international networks.

Lewkowicz Congratulates Sonsona for Sensational KO on Saturday in Macau

One-Punch Levelling of Japan's Shimoda Puts Young Filipino Back on Track to Boxing Superstardom Marvin Sonsona (center)  Sampson Lewkowicz (left) and  Sammy Gello-ani (right) Sampson Lewkowicz of Sampson Boxing wishes to congratulate the fighter he co-promotes, former WBO Super Flyweight Champion "Marvelous" Marvin Sonsona (17-1-1, 15 KOs), who announced his return to the elite levels of professional boxing in sensational fashion on Saturday night (February 22) in the main event of a Top Rank-promoted show at the Cotai Arena in the beautiful Venetian Resort in Macao, China. With HBO cameras rolling, Sonsona, from General Santos City in the Philippines, knocked out former WBA Junior Featherweight Champion (and current WBA #2-ranked) Akifumi Shimoda (28-4-2, 12 KOs) of Japan, with one perfectly placed left uppercut to the chin at the 1:17 mark of the third round. The victory, a sure-fire candidate for annual "Knockout of the Year" awards, gained Sonsona the WBO International Featherweight Championship and left Shimoda senseless for nearly five minutes. So dramatic was the finishing blow, referee Danrex Tapdasan didn't even bother to count. For Lewkowicz, the win was especially sweet as many had given up on the now 23-year-old southpaw Sonsona, who in 2009 at age 19, became the second-youngest Filipino to ever win a world title, but was then beset by personal problems and an admitted lack of dedication. He has since won four straight fights, three inside the distance. "Marvin is still one of the three most popular fighters in his homeland, alongside Manny Pacquiao and Nonito Donaire," said Lewkowicz. "He had the problem that many big-name boxers run into: he surrounded himself with the wrong people and stopped taking his sport seriously. He has matured so much since then and completely rededicated himself with his original team of me, his trainer Jun Agrabio, his other co-promoter Sammy Gello-ani and his manager Dr. Rajan Yraola. He knows his mistakes now and they will never happen again." So dramatic was the KO of Shimoda, legendary promoter Bob Arum was quoted as calling it one of the best he's seen in 50 years of boxing. Lewkowicz says he's proud to also announce that he and Top Rank will be joining forces in the guidance of Sonsona's career. "I want to thank Carl Moretti and Bob Arum for the trust they have given me and for agreeing to help me turn Marvin Sonsona into the next world superstar from the Philippines. I consider him another of my sons and he calls me 'Papa' in return. This is a wonderful comeback story in boxing and Marvin will be champion of the world once again very soon. I also want to thank the beautiful Venetian Macau for their incredible hospitality and all their work in turning Macau into a new boxing capital in the world." The four major champions in the featherweight division are currently: Jhonny Gonzalez (WBC), Orlando Salido (WBO), Evgeny Gradovich (IBF) and Simphiwe Vetyeka (WBA). ABOUT SAMPSON BOXING After a very successful run as a matchmaker and adviser, Sampson Lewkowicz switched over to the promotional side of professional boxing in January 2008. Sampson Boxing has grown into one of the world's most prestigious promotional firms, representing many of the world's best fighters and most promising young contenders. Sampson Boxing has promotional partners all over North and South America, Africa, Asia, New Zealand, Australia, Europe and Central America and Sampson Boxing events have been televised on such premiere networks as HBO, Showtime, ESPN, VS. and several international networks.

SAMPSON BOXING AND GREG COHEN PROMOTIONS PRESENT HARD ROCK BOXING JULY 6 AT HARD ROCK HOTEL AND CASINO IN LAS VEGAS AND LIVE ON ESPN FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS

On Friday, July 6, promoters Sampson Boxing and Greg Cohen Boxing will proudly present "Hard Rock Boxing", live from the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, and televised live on ESPN Friday Night Fights. In the 10-round featherweight main event, former WBO Super Flyweight Champion "Marvelous" Marvin Sonsona (16-1-1, 13 KOs) will take on the formidable Orlando "El Fenómeno" Cruz (18-2-1, 9 KOs) in a showdown between proven southpaw warriors. And in the televised co-feature, Russian heavyweight power puncher Magomed "Mago" Abdusalamov (14-0, 14 KOs) will defend his WBC United States (USNBC) Silver Heavyweight Championship in a 10-round battle against fellow up-and-coming heavyweight Maurice "Freight Train" Byarm (13-1-1, 9 KOs). 21-year-old Marvin Sonsona is a native of General Santos City, Cotabato del Sur, Philippines. His only career loss was to Wilfredo Vazquez Jr. for the vacant WBO super bantamweight Championship in February 2010. Sonsona started boxing as an amateur at the age of seven and had 150 amateur fights before turning professional in 2007, just weeks before his 17th birthday.  30-year-old Orlando Cruz hails from San Juan, Puerto Rico, and represented his homeland at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia, as a bantamweight. Cruz was undefeated at 16-0-1 until losing back-to-back title fights by stoppage to Cornelius Lock and former world champion Daniel Ponce De Leon in 2009/2010. He has rebounded since then to score quality wins over Alejandro Delgado and Michael Franco.  31-year-old Magomed Abdusalamov was born in Makhachkala, Russia, but now lives and trains in Oxnard, California. Abdusalamov was the 2005 and 2006 Russian Amateur Champion at super heavyweightbefore turning professional in 2008. He is the current WBC United States (USNBC) Silver Heavyweight Champion, having won the title by TKO 4 over formerly undefeated Jason Pettaway in March. 29-year-old southpaw heavyweight Maurice Byarm lives in Washington, DC, and was born in Philadelphia. Byarm is the son of Lionel Byarm, a professional fighter who most notably fought the legendary Evander Holyfield on the 1984 US Olympian card. He was undefeated as a professional until his last fight, a decision loss to fellow Philadelphian Bryant Jennings in January of this year. Headlining the undercard, popular heavyweight and current interim PABA Heavyweight Champion "Bronco" Billy Wright (37-4, 28 KOs) will continue his successful comeback in a six-round bout. Also scheduled to fight six-round bouts are Las Vegas, via Puerto Rico, super middleweight Carlos De Leon Jr (21-3-2, 14 KOs); Las Vegas via Accra, Ghana, middleweight KO artist Bastie Samir (10-0-1, 10 KOs); and undefeated Las Vegas featherweight Rocco Santomauro (8-0). Scheduled for a four-rounder is Jackson, Michigan, cruiserweight William "Lil' Tyson" Williams (5-2-1, 4 KOs). Orlando Cruz appears courtesy of Tuto Zavala's All Star Boxing. Marvin Sonsona is co-promoted by Sammy Gello-ani of SGG Sports Promotions of the Philippines. All undercard opponents are TBA. Tickets for "Hard Rock Boxing" are priced at $29 general admission, $60 reserved, $100 ringside and $200 VIP and are available at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino box office daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and through Ticketmaster, either by calling 702-474-4000 or 800-745-3000, or by going online atticketmaster.com. On fight night, doors open at 5:00 p.m. and the event starts at 5:30 p.m. All bouts are subject to change. For updates, visit www.sampsonboxing.com or www.gcpboxing.com.