Superstar-in-Making Sonsona Out to Topple WBO Champ Lopez 

Jr. Bantamweight title fight, and Steve Molitor top stacked Rumble at Rama IX

RAMA, ON (Wednesday, July 29^th, 2009) – On Friday, September 4^th, the eyes of the boxing world will be on Casino Rama, in Rama, Ontario, as one of the sport’s budding superstars, 19 year-old “Marvelous” Marvin Sonsona (13-0, 12 KO’s) tries to become one of the youngest world boxing champions of the modern era, when he takes on hard-hitting WBO Jr. Bantamweight World Champion Jose Lopez (39-7-2, 32 KO’s) in the co-main event of Rumble at Rama IX.

Former IBF Junior Featherweight champ “The Canadian Kid” Steve Molitor (29-1, 11 KO’s) highlights the evening’s other co-feature, opposite an opponent still to be determined. 

Sonsona - who, like his superstar compatriot, Manny “Pac-Man” Pacquiao, is a southpaw hailing from General Santos City, in the Philippines - became one of the brightest blips on the boxing radar this past May, in only his 13^th career fight, laying waste to two-time world champion Wandee Singwancha in the second round courtesy of a crushing left to the jaw. 

“This kid is, without a doubt, the future of the sport of boxing,” said Orion Sports Management President Allan Tremblay, who recently joined a promotional consortium headed by Sampson Lewkowich, and in doing so, obtained Sonsona’s Canadian promotional rights.  

“Limitless potential like Sonsona’s is a rarity. When you see what this kid was able to do as an 18 year-old, and what he’s capable of down the road, I have no doubt that in a couple of years, when Manny Pacquiao has retired, he’ll be the number-one boxing superstar in the Philippines.” 

But, no matter how bright Sonsona’s future appears, don’t expect Lopez, from Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico, to meekly surrender his title to a fighter some 18 years his junior. 

The 37 year-old hasn’t lost in almost eight years, following up a September 2001 decision loss to then WBO Flyweight champion Fernando Montiel with a sixteen fight unbeaten streak that includes nine wins inside the distance. 

This will be Lopez’ first defense of the title he won this past March courtesy of a 12 round unanimous decision over Thailand’s Pramuansak Posuwan, in Bayamon, Puerto Rico. 

“This is one of those battles that tries to answer age-old question of youth, speed, and potential, versus experience and know-how,” Tremblay said. 

“Plus, from a style perspective alone, this fight is a war, never mind the fact that you have a brilliant, but still green, Sonsona, vying for his first world title, taking on one of the most battletested fighters in the world in Lopez.” 

Canadian Heavyweight champion, Greg “The Steel Pole” Kielsa (10-0, 5 KO’S) will also step through the ropes on the Rumble at Rama IX undercard, as will all-action warriors Justin Fountain, Felix Mercedes, and Pedro DeMello. 

“The Rumble at Rama series is known for providing boxing fans with world-class fights and we’re very excited to be adding this WBO title match which features the next hottest fighter in the sport to that list “ says Jeff Craik, Vice President, Marketing for Casino Rama.

“This fight, along with the match featuring Steve Molitor, should provide fans with a whole new level of live sports entertainment”.

Held in Casino Rama’s state-of-the-art 5,200 seat Entertainment Centre, the Rumble at Rama series has firmly established the Casino as the premier venue in which to see the Big Time Excitement of a world-class fight in Ontario.  Rumble at Rama IX takes place on Friday, September 4^th, with the undercard bouts getting underway at 8:00 pm.  

The Molitor fight and the WBO title match between Lopez and Sonsona will be shown on TSN in Canada, and both bouts will also be seen on national carrier coverage in both the Philippines and Puerto Rico. 

Tickets for Rumble at Rama IX will be $125, $75, $50 and $25 and are available in-person at the Casino Rama Box Office, and at all TicketMaster locations, by calling (416) 870-8000 and online at www.casinorama.com.  Ticket prices do not include applicable taxes or service charges.