By Ronnie Nathanielsz
Eden “Magnifico” Sonsona, fresh from an impressive 2nd round TKO victory over Eilon Kedem on the undercard of the Manny Pacquiao-Miguel Cotto showdown at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas last November 14, gets a shot at the vacant Philippine bantamweight title at the Ynares Sports Center in Pasig City on December 12.
The flashy southpaw who is rated No.1 bantamweight by the Philippine Games and Amusements Board will face No. 5 ranked Monico Laurente since the three other fighters ranked higher than Laurente are not available.
Sonsona who was working out at the Rod Nazario Fitness Gym in Sucat, Paranaque when we caught up with him, said he had sparred with Laurente several times in the past at the Elorde gym and described him as a smart fighter. Laurente is handled by Johnny Elorde, one of the son's of the late great world junior lightweight champion Gabriel "Flash" Elorde.
However, Sonsona who is now managed by the late Rod Nazario’s son, Rommel, said he is in shape and looking forward to winning the title.
One of his handlers and an original Team Pacquiao member, well known TV analyst Moy Lainez said pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao spoke to Top Rank promoter Bob Arum to put Sonsona on the “Fire Power” card and said later he was impressed with h is showing against Kedem in his US debut.
Lainez said that Sonsona who has a record of 17-5 with 4 knockouts which does not reflect his real talent and potential, has matured and now punches with power unlike in the past when he connected with flurries but his opponents didn’t feel the power.
Lainez said that Pacquiao had spoken to Sonsona before the Kedem fight and advised him to throw a lot of punches in training because then the fight becomes easier.
Grateful for the opportunity given him by Pacquiao through the pound-for-pound king’s late mentor and father figure Nazario, Sonsona promised to train hard, be disciplined to be able to continue his career with the ultimate goal of becoming a world champion.