FORMER World Boxing Organization (WBO) super flyweight champion Marvin Sonsona will see action in a Top Rank-promoted show in Macau next month.
Sonsona takes on fellow one-time world champion Akifumi Shimoda for the vacant WBO International featherweight crown in the undercard of “Ring of Gold” on Feb. 22 at the Cotai Arena, according to Top Rank’s website.
Sonsona was once dubbed as one of the most promising boxers. He proved that he was one of the elite fighters of his division after winning a world title at 19 years old. It came in just his 14th fight in his second year as a pro fighter. He dethroned Jose Lopez by unanimous decision to snag the WBO super flyweight belt in Canada in 2009.
After reaching the pinnacle, Sonsona’s career quickly went downhill, and he lost his title on the scales after coming in overweight in his first title defense against Alejandro Hernandez. He, however, salvaged a draw in that fight.
The 23-year-old Sonsona would suffer his first loss after moving up two weight divisions to face Wilfredo Vazquez Jr. for the vacant WBO super bantamweight belt in 2010. Sonsona was knocked out in the fourth round of that fight in Puerto Rico.
Even though Sonsona has won his last three bouts, he has been fighting sporadically and has fought only three times in the past three years.
The 29-year-old Shimoda is unbeaten since losing his World Boxing Association (WBA) super bantamweight belt following a seventh round knockout in the hands of Rico Ramos in 2011. He has won five of his last six bouts, with other a majority draw with Filipino Roli Gasca.
Shimoda captured the belt with a unanimous decision over Ryol Li Lee in 2011.
Sonsona is 17-1-1 with 14 knockouts, while Shimoda is 28-3-2 with 12 knockouts.