Marvin Sonsona scores KO win in five rounds but Carlos Fulgencio says ‘he was robbed’

FLASHY Marvin Sonsona lived up to his nickname as he made mincemeat out of Dominican Republic’s Carlos “El Flaco” Fulgencio in the main event Pinoy Knockout 1 at the Hoops Dome in Lapu-Lapu City Saturday.

But his knockout victory at the one minute and 41 seconds mark of the fifth round was anti-climactic and was tainted with controversy when referee Tony Pisons waved Fulgencio out of the match as the Dominican Republic fighter got up at the count of nine.

Fulgencio and his corner tried to plead their case while some people in the crowd hollered in protest. But a rule is a rule. The mandatory count is only at 8 and Fulgencio should have gotten up at the count of eight to stay in the fight.

“I was robbed. I was not hurt. I want a rematch,” Fulgencio told Sun.Star Cebu through his interpreter Michael Lopez.

“Marvelous” Sonsona, however, saw the knockout coming.

“I really expected to knock him out, but I didn’t expect it to be in the fifth round because I really wanted the fight to be longer,” Sonsona said in Cebuano. “I knew I would win because he is weak and I can anticipate his punches.”

Fulgencio gamely engaged Sonsona from the start, hitting the former WBO super flyweight champion with vicious hooks and straights and in the process was warned twice for low blows in the second round.

However, Sonsona’s ringmanship was too much for the Dominican Republic fighter, and the bout ended after Sonsona landed a short uppercut to the chin.

The victory improved Sonsona’s record to 16-1-1, 13 KOs while Fulgencio dropped to 19-6-1.

Sonsona has assured himself of a slot in the undercard of John Riel Casimero’s IBF Interim light flyweight title defense on May 13 against Mexico’s Sammy Gutierrez on May 13 at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel.

“He will be campaigning in the heavier featherweight division. The 122-pound division is now very crowded and we want him to be movable at any given situation. And believe me, he would be doing good at 126 pounds,” said promoter Sammy Gello-ani.

The other TV fights of the card organized by SGG Promotions, Sampson Boxing LLC and Aksyon TV, reached the distance with Mark Anthony Geraldo stealing the WBO Asia Pacific Youth super flyweight title from Jerwin Ancajas following a majority decision win. Froilan “The Sniper” Saludar kept the WBO youth flyweight title after a unanimous decision win over Alejandro “El Terible” Morales of Mexico and Adones Cabalquinto took the vacant Philippine Jr. Welterweight title over Dan Nazareno also via unanimous decision.

The off TV fights were short workouts with Jack “Golden Boy” Tepora beating Michael Dopol via TKO in 1:27 of the first round. Jordan Catubay also knocked out Jerome Baja in 1:45 of the second round; Ernie Sanchez scored a 2:17 TKO win over Eman Labanza; Virgilio Silvano scored a TKO win over Jay R Calunsad; and Eward Peneio pulled the quickest victory, needing just 29 seconds to stop Albert Alcoy.