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Filipino fans embrace new boxing star
Title fight at Rama; Future in Canada rests on reception from community
By Michael Traikos, National PostSeptember 4, 2009
They did not care if they got into trouble for leaving their posts at the Delta Chelsea Hotel. A star was on their premises and they were not going to let him leave without proving to their friends and family that they had met him. So they walked up to the 19-year-old boxer and asked him to pose for a photo.
It was the type of scene that promoter Allan Tremblay has dreamed about ever since he convinced Marvin Sonsona -- regarded by many as the next Manny Pacquiao, the Filipino legend who has won world titles in five weight categories -- to come to Canada and challenge Puerto Rico's Jose Lopez for the WBO world flyweight championship.
For the past month, the boxing promoter has taken out front page ads in five weekly Filipino-language newspapers. He has appeared on Filipino radio and television programs. And he has met with the counsel general for the Philippines and most of the other movers and shakers in the Filipino business community.
Whether Sonsona wins or loses tonight's fight at Casino Rama, as long as Filipino flags are waving in the crowd, Tremblay believes he has captured a new audience.
"We've got the Filipino community revved up pretty high," he said. "All the 90 press seats are gone and about half of them are from Filipino media. And I predict about one-quarter of the fans will be from the Philippines."
According to a 2006 census, the Greater Toronto Area is home to the largest Filipino community in Canada, with more than 172,000 residents.
Sonsona, a native of General Santos City, discovered this first-hand when he arrived to Toronto recently and found himself accepting dinner invitations for almost every night of the week. He attended Mass last Sunday at a downtown Catholic church, where the priest brought him up to the pulpit. And if he wins tonight's fight and becomes the youngest Filipino world champion, he can expect his status to grow larger than the 5-foot-7 fighter can imagine.
"I believe the future is Friday night," said Sampson Lewkowicz, the Las Vegas-based promoter who discovered Pacquiao and Sonsona. "Manny Pacquiao plans to retire next year, so somebody has to take his place. And when Sonsona becomes the champ, it will be instant success. He is the next star."
First, Sonsona has to defeat Lopez in a 115-pound bout that pits youth versus experience.
The 37-year-old Lopez has a 39-7-2 record with 32 knockouts. His last loss was seven years ago and he has never been stopped in a fight. And though he believes Sonsona has the potential to become a champion, Lopez is also confident that the youngster has some growing up to do.
"I think it's going to be a more easy fight than people think," Lopez said through an interpreter. "He's too immature of a fighter to fight me. He's going to danger his career, because it's too dangerous to fight a guy like me. It's cruel."
While Lopez might be guilty of pre-fight posturing, there are indications that the hype surrounding Sonsona is more than the 5-foot-7 southpaw can handle.
After all, Pacquiao, who was two months shy of his 20th birthday when he won his first world championship, is considered one of the best pound-for-pound boxers of all time.
Sonsona only turned professional two years ago and, though he is unbeaten in 13 fights, he has yet to challenge a top-ranked fighter.
"In any sport, when a youngster comes along ... you make comparisons," boxing analyst Russ Anber said. "But you'll never have a promoter say to you, 'Listen, my guy is really ordinary. He's not really that good.' So you have to take it with a grain of salt."
For those who have seen Sonsona -- and happen to be impartial -- there is a lot they like about the rail-thin boxer. He is lightning quick inside the ring and throws punches as though he were being attacked by a swarm of bees. And with his boyish good looks and blonde highlights accenting his chestnut brown hair, he has the makings of a pop star.
But unlike Pacquiao, who has ventured in politics, acting and music recording, Sonsona only has one thing on his mind these days.
"I believe I can be the youngest world champion," he said through an interpreter. "Pacquiao has his own road, so I'm going to try to make my own road."
For now, that road is going through Canada. Based on the outcome of tonight's fight, Tremblay has the option of bringing Sonsona back for a card in November. And he envisions a situation where Toronto becomes Sonsona's second home.
"From a momentum-building standpoint, it makes sense," Tremblay said. "But I'll have to judge the reaction from the Filipino community."
Title fight at Rama; Future in Canada rests on reception from community
By Michael Traikos, National PostSeptember 4, 2009
They did not care if they got into trouble for leaving their posts at the Delta Chelsea Hotel. A star was on their premises and they were not going to let him leave without proving to their friends and family that they had met him. So they walked up to the 19-year-old boxer and asked him to pose for a photo.
It was the type of scene that promoter Allan Tremblay has dreamed about ever since he convinced Marvin Sonsona -- regarded by many as the next Manny Pacquiao, the Filipino legend who has won world titles in five weight categories -- to come to Canada and challenge Puerto Rico's Jose Lopez for the WBO world flyweight championship.
For the past month, the boxing promoter has taken out front page ads in five weekly Filipino-language newspapers. He has appeared on Filipino radio and television programs. And he has met with the counsel general for the Philippines and most of the other movers and shakers in the Filipino business community.
Whether Sonsona wins or loses tonight's fight at Casino Rama, as long as Filipino flags are waving in the crowd, Tremblay believes he has captured a new audience.
"We've got the Filipino community revved up pretty high," he said. "All the 90 press seats are gone and about half of them are from Filipino media. And I predict about one-quarter of the fans will be from the Philippines."
According to a 2006 census, the Greater Toronto Area is home to the largest Filipino community in Canada, with more than 172,000 residents.
Sonsona, a native of General Santos City, discovered this first-hand when he arrived to Toronto recently and found himself accepting dinner invitations for almost every night of the week. He attended Mass last Sunday at a downtown Catholic church, where the priest brought him up to the pulpit. And if he wins tonight's fight and becomes the youngest Filipino world champion, he can expect his status to grow larger than the 5-foot-7 fighter can imagine.
"I believe the future is Friday night," said Sampson Lewkowicz, the Las Vegas-based promoter who discovered Pacquiao and Sonsona. "Manny Pacquiao plans to retire next year, so somebody has to take his place. And when Sonsona becomes the champ, it will be instant success. He is the next star."
First, Sonsona has to defeat Lopez in a 115-pound bout that pits youth versus experience.
The 37-year-old Lopez has a 39-7-2 record with 32 knockouts. His last loss was seven years ago and he has never been stopped in a fight. And though he believes Sonsona has the potential to become a champion, Lopez is also confident that the youngster has some growing up to do.
"I think it's going to be a more easy fight than people think," Lopez said through an interpreter. "He's too immature of a fighter to fight me. He's going to danger his career, because it's too dangerous to fight a guy like me. It's cruel."
While Lopez might be guilty of pre-fight posturing, there are indications that the hype surrounding Sonsona is more than the 5-foot-7 southpaw can handle.
After all, Pacquiao, who was two months shy of his 20th birthday when he won his first world championship, is considered one of the best pound-for-pound boxers of all time.
Sonsona only turned professional two years ago and, though he is unbeaten in 13 fights, he has yet to challenge a top-ranked fighter.
"In any sport, when a youngster comes along ... you make comparisons," boxing analyst Russ Anber said. "But you'll never have a promoter say to you, 'Listen, my guy is really ordinary. He's not really that good.' So you have to take it with a grain of salt."
For those who have seen Sonsona -- and happen to be impartial -- there is a lot they like about the rail-thin boxer. He is lightning quick inside the ring and throws punches as though he were being attacked by a swarm of bees. And with his boyish good looks and blonde highlights accenting his chestnut brown hair, he has the makings of a pop star.
But unlike Pacquiao, who has ventured in politics, acting and music recording, Sonsona only has one thing on his mind these days.
"I believe I can be the youngest world champion," he said through an interpreter. "Pacquiao has his own road, so I'm going to try to make my own road."
For now, that road is going through Canada. Based on the outcome of tonight's fight, Tremblay has the option of bringing Sonsona back for a card in November. And he envisions a situation where Toronto becomes Sonsona's second home.
"From a momentum-building standpoint, it makes sense," Tremblay said. "But I'll have to judge the reaction from the Filipino community."
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