By Ronnie Nathanielsz

Smashing back-to-back performances by Eden “Magnifico” Sonsonsa have impressed pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao who has promised to try and get the flashy southpaw a title shot against WBO bantamweight champion Fernando Montiel on Top Rank Promotions  “Pinoy Power III” fight card at the Las Vegas Hilton on February 13.

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 demonstrated tremendous hand speed and punching power to score a spectacular knockout over Monico Laurente in 45 seconds of the first round to win the vacant Philippine bantamweight title at the Ynares Sports Center in Pasig City last Saturday.

Sonsona who was rated No. 1 by the Philippine Games and Amusements Board caught the No. 4 ranked Laurente with a perfectly-timed left straight after an initial flurry of punches and dropped the Johnny Elorde fighter flat on his back where he remained motionless while referee Virgilio Garcia counted him out.

Sonsona who works out at the Rod Nazario Fitness Gym in Sucat, Paranaque said he had sparred with Laurente several times in the past at the Elorde gym and described him as a smart fighter. The young southpaw is now managed by the late Rod Nazario’s son, Rommel  who was contacted by Pacquiao prior to the fight to commit to help Sonsona since he had made a commitment to do so to Nazario who was a mentor and father-figure to Pacquiao.

Pacquiao’s adviser Michael Koncz told us that Pacquiao was “very excited and very happy” over Sonsona’s victory last Saturday and wanted Koncz to talk to Arum regarding a possible title shot against Montiel.

Montiel  had earlier turned down an offer to fight Michael Domingo who was chosen as a substitute by the ALA Gym for Montiel’s  original opponent Z “The Dream” Gorres who underwent brain surgery following his rousing ten-round win over Luis Melendez last November 13.

Koncz said he would speak to Arum’s Hall-of-Fame matchmaker Bruce Trampler on Tuesday, Manila Time, regarding a title shot against Montiel on the  “Pinoy Power III” fight card and if that doesn’t happen Koncz said he was “sure Sonsona would get a title shot within six months.”