Sonsona defeats Vazquez via split decision to avenge lone loss

(Updated 2:44pm) In the co-main event of the fight between Miguel Cotto and Sergio Martinez, Filipino Marvin Sonsona avenged the lone defeat of his career by beating Wilfredo Vazquez Jr. by split decision over ten rounds, Saturday (Sunday, PHL time) at Madison Square Garden.

Judges gave Sonsona two 96-92 scores, while a 96-92 call went Vazquez’ way.

The win gave Sonsona the previously-vacant NABF featherweight title.

Sonsona (19-1-1, 15 KOs) moved and boxed in the first round while Vazquez played as the aggressor. A hard left uppercut to the body sent Vazquez (23-4-1, 19KOs) kneeling on the canvass.

Vazquez' aggression was more effective in round two after landing a few right hands on top. Sonsona was still boxing, unleashing hard combinations on Vazquez in the last 10 seconds.

Sonsona pounded the body with combinations in round three. He also started throwing his left hand more in this round, putting Vazquez on the defensive.

Both fighters traded shots in the opening seconds of round four. Vazquez’s aggressiveness managed to rattle Sonsona in some instances. He continued roughing up Sonsona on the inside in round five. Sonsona threw hard shots occasionally, landing punches both to the head and body.

Come the sixth round, Sonsona was throwing lead lefts on top and unleashing combinations, but a punch to the back of Vazquez' head caused him a point. He was then accidentally hit by a headbutt and a low blow in the first minute of round seven. The Filipino though went back to work as soon as the fight resumed.

Vazquez landed his best punch of the fight with a straight right to Sonsona's chin in round eight. Sonsona boxed and moved in round nine while Vazquez was very aggressive, seemingly fighting with urgency.

Sonsona landed clean and hard shots with his combinations in round 10. Vazquez tied up and threw punches of his own but failed to land a significant blow. - AMD, GMA News



JM Siasat is a sports journalist based in Manila, Philippines. He can be reached at jmsiasat@ymail.com. Follow him on Twitter @jmsiasat