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Sonsona wins WBO super flyweight crown

abs-cbnNEWS.com | 09/05/2009 5:04 PM

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MANILA -- Teenage sensation “Marvelous” Marvin Sonsona scored a huge upset after outpointing the more experienced Jose “Carita” Lopez on Friday (Saturday in Manila) to win the World Boxing Organization (WBO) super flyweight title at the Casino Rama in Ontario, Canada.

According to FightFan.com, the judges saw it 116-109, 115-110, 114-111, all in favor of the 19-year-old Filipino.

“Lopez was such a tough fighter, and winning a decision against him shows that I’m a real fighter, and a worthy champion,” the hard-punching Sonsona said shortly after winning the fight.

He decked Lopez with a powerful left hook in the fourth round and also wobbled the Puerto Rican several times.

Sonsona, who hails from General Santos City just like boxing icon Manny Pacquiao, thanked the Filipino community in Canada for cheering him into beating the more experienced Lopez.

“The Filipino people here were so great, and made me feel at home. That helped give me the strength to be a champion,” he said.

In winning the world title, Sonsona became the youngest Filipino boxer to win a world title since Morris East won the WBA junior welterweight title in 1992.

Sonsona, now with an unblemished fighting record of 14 wins with 12 knockouts, joined the ranks of current Filipino boxing stars Pacquiao, Nonito Donaire, Brian Viloria, Gerry Peñalosa and Donnie Nietes.

Lopez absorbed his eighth loss, his first since losing to Mexican Fernando Montiel in 2001. The Puerto Rican also has 39 wins, 32 of them coming by way of knockout, and 2 draws.

With a report from PhilBoxing.com