Vazquez Jr.: “Sonsona needs to get his facts straight before he talks to the press. I will be Puerto Rico’s 59th champion!” » FightFan.com: Boxing News, Interviews, Articles, Photos, Videos, Results

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Vazquez Jr.: “Sonsona needs to get his facts straight before he talks to the press. I will be Puerto Rico’s 59th champion!”
By Ivan 'LatinoPorVida' Montiel (24-Feb-2010)

Courtesy of BoxeoMundial.com, see what Wilfredo Vazquez Jr. had to say about his Saturday WBO title fight against Marvin Sonsona!

Photo: PR Best Boxing

Q: There has been a growing rivalry between Filipinos and Puerto Ricans recently. Sonsona said he will beat you to prove Filipino superiority over Puerto Ricans in boxing. What do you think about that?

WV: That’s so good because the whole world has the right to have great boxers… every country. With that said, Sonsona has to get himself familiar with the internet to see how many champions Puerto Rico has had and how many the Philippines is at now. Puerto Rico was at 58 but now it will be 59 because I Wilfredo Vazquez Jr. am going to become champion! Marvin will need to get his math right before talking to the press next time. He needs to stop talking trash because he needs to know the facts before talking or else he will look ridiculous. Manny Pacquiao is good, no doubt about it. He’s worked hard. But to suggest that Filipinos are better boxers than the Puerto Ricans? I highly doubt it. We have got 58 champions so far… how many do they have?

Q: Wilfredo what is your opinion of Marvin Sonsona?

WV: By looking at his record it’s obvious this kid can punch… but not all boxers have that KO punch. Some fighters have other abilities and I believe I have those abilities in my favour in this bout. I can box and punch. I am ready physically. The only difference he has is that he’s a southpaw. I just hope he comes in well prepared because I have the punch and I’m physically ready. I am ready for the bell to ring and I will be pressuring him from Rounds 1 through 12. If the KO comes sooner that’s better but I’m ready and have trained to go a full twelve rounds.

Q: Have you seen much video of Sonsona fighting?

WV: Yes I saw him fighting against ‘Carita’ Lopez. He’s a good boxer but there are a lot of boxers who are good but don’t put the work in. I work full time. The prize always comes to the one who’s worked hardest and I know how hard I’ve worked. This kid is good but I am 150 per cent confident that he will have problems on Saturday night!

Q: How did you feel when you signed for this fight?

WV: I really felt like all my sacrifices have paid off. All the hard work over the last three years has paid off. I have sacrificed a lot to get my opportunity for this title shot. When they asked me if I wanted the fight I said yes. I came home to my wife and was very emotional about getting this opportunity. I am not looking for fame, I just want to look up to God and be a responsible father and make a bright future for my family.

Q: Your father was a famous boxer. What can you tell us about watching him when you were young?

WV: I looked up to my father like every kid does… I was very proud of him. I respected him a lot more than I would have if he was a lawyer or something because he went to war dropping blood and getting bruised up for us. My father has been everything to us. My father fought hard and sacrificed a lot. I wanted to be just like my dad. He encouraged us to study but I ended up being a boxer and it’s given me a lot of pride. I am working very hard to come out on top like he did. I want to help my family the same way he did. I want to give my kids an education. God has given me a good opportunity and I have to keep working hard to achieve my dream.

Q: Does that work ethic instilled in you give you an advantage?

WV: Yes and I work very hard on my body in the gym. With my father in the corner it gives me a great mind and we’re able to go to plans A through Z in a fight. I have plan A which is to go at him at any cost… going to war. If he hasn’t prepared himself for this type of fight… thinking that I am going to run or be afraid of him because he has some power… he’s very mistaken. I am ready to leave it all in the ring down to my last drop of sweat. Like I said before I have been given this opportunity and I am going to take full advantage of it. Whatever it takes… I am well prepared.

Allan Tremblay (Sonsona’s Promoter, President of Orion Sports Management):

“This should be just a tremendous test for Marvin. Like Vazquez, Marvin is a young, hungry, talented, and strong fighter, with the weight of a boxing-mad nation’s expectations on his shoulders. This is a great PPV fight, and one that will decide who is indeed the best young champion in all of boxing.”

“The Double Assault” PPV Fact Sheet

WHAT: “The Double Assault” PPV

WHEN: Saturday, February 27, 2010 – 9 PM/ET 6 PM/PT

WHERE: Bayamon, Puerto Rico & Guadalajara, Mexico

PROMOTER: In Puerto Rico: PR Best Boxing, in association with Orion Sports Management, All Star Boxing and Sampson Boxing LLC. In Mexico: Boxeo De Gala

PAY-PER-VIEW INFORMATION: Orion Sports Management is presenting “The Double Assault” in Canada for live viewing on Viewer’s Choice and Shaw PPV for a suggested retail price of only $34.95. at 9 PM/ET – 6 PM/PT.

PAY-PER-VIEW ANNOUNCERS: World Boxing Hall of Fame inductee Col. Bob Sheridan (blow-by-blow) and former NFL player and veteran boxing announcer Benny Ricardo (color analyst).

INFORMATION: www.integratedsportsnet.com

Wilfredo Vazquez Jr. vs. Marvin Sonsona is one of two world title fights featured on the split-site “The Double Assault” pay-per-view broadcast, commencing at 9 PM/ET live from Reben Rodriquez Coliseum in Bayamon, Puerto Rico, the hometown Vazquez, Jr., who plans to make Puerto Rican history by defeating 19-year-old Sonsona.

The unique, double-barrelled broadcast is being distributed in the United States and Canada by Integrated Sports Media for live viewing at 9 PM/ET – 6 PM/PT on both cable and satellite pay-per-view via iN Demand, DIRECTV, TVN, DISH Network, Viewer’s Choice and Shaw PPV.

41 Responses to “Vazquez Jr.: “Sonsona needs to get his facts straight before he talks to the press. I will be Puerto Rico’s 59th champion!””

Disclaimer: FightFan.com will NOT be held responsible for ANY of the content appearing in the following discussion, but will do it's best ensure that the discussion stays relevant, beneficial, and acceptable to the readers of this site.

Anonymous Says:

History is gone mr vasquez you have to probe it now! you stop taking shit and is not done yet.lame brain.
February 25th, 2010 at 12:16 am
spiritus Says:

maybe you got 58 champions, whats harder is to join their league…
prove it!!
February 25th, 2010 at 12:21 am
Rob Cruz Says:

Been waiting to hear what Vazquez Jr had to say…thanks for the write up Ivan and see you at the next event.
February 25th, 2010 at 1:19 am
Ace Freeman Says:

Thanks for translating Ivan, there’s some interesting comments from Vazquez Jr. here.
February 25th, 2010 at 1:34 am
mike Says:

many puerto rican boxers are humble. this one is surely not, and he has not even proven himself yet. i just hope sonsona would make him eat humble pie this saturday.
February 25th, 2010 at 1:37 am
Paclander Says:

it’s because of discrimination and poor promotions we’ve a lot of champions already if we’re not cheated and disregarded by promoters thanks to Pacquiao he open the door to the rising boxers of the Philippines one of them is Sonsona I have a feeling that right in the eyes of the Puerto Ricans Vazquez will do down!!!
February 25th, 2010 at 2:08 am
zoom lebron Says:

This fight got nothing to do with how manny Boxing Champ of each Country has, because each boxer perform different on each fight.. Both fighters are undefeated and has knockout punch that makes it very interesting I wont miss this one..
February 25th, 2010 at 2:20 am
Pancho Says:

This boastful weak vasquez is trying hard to become a world champion which will be unlikely to happen. I’m sure he will vomit “lechon paksiw” after he will be hit by a rabbit punch.
February 25th, 2010 at 2:22 am
CRAZYVISAYAN Says:

KALAMUNGAI
February 25th, 2010 at 2:48 am
csibond Says:

How many do they have?? what a jerk.. he might need to get some percentage before boosting puerta rico has many champions than the philippines.. by what percentage could it be against the total boxers coming from their country?? only a handful of the total bums.. if im not mistaken there are a lot of bums out there from where 58 world champions came from.. if the philippines has given the same opportunity as puerto rico has i dont doubt there will be a lot of pacquiaos whooping puerta ricans ass.. just like what sonsona will do….
February 25th, 2010 at 3:11 am
Anonymous Says:

good article
February 25th, 2010 at 3:24 am
NEW ERA Says:

Maybe Puerto Rico have the edge when it comes to quantity but how about the quality of Champions Mr. Vasquez. So far, any Puerto Rican boxer from among those 58 world champions emerge as P4P king?
February 25th, 2010 at 3:38 am
pinoy power Says:

vasquez should also search for facts, because sonsona did not started this trashtalking. the problem with this man is he talks a lot but he fears being trashed-back.
February 25th, 2010 at 7:24 am
pinoy power Says:

the problem with vasquez is he talks a lot but afraid of being trashed-back. watch youtube for you to see it.
February 25th, 2010 at 7:28 am
pinoy power Says:

those 58 chumps won’t help you.
February 25th, 2010 at 7:31 am
taeintsik Says:

Vasquez should thank his country’s proximity to the US where the boxing mecca is, thereby getting lots of opportunities to be seen by promoters and known by the media. Whereas filipinos just have to be contented with where they are save the few elite. It is also to be considered not just the distance but also the difficulty to get visas for USA. As far as I’m concerned it’s Vasquez who’s ignorant and arrogant with his disrespectful statements.
February 25th, 2010 at 7:34 am
ai3live Says:

in terms of quatity, puerto rican has the advantage. but talking about quality??? hmm.. pinoy’s have it
February 25th, 2010 at 8:59 am
ai3live Says:

in terms of quantity, puerto rican has the advantage. but talking about quality??? hmm.. pinoy’s have it
February 25th, 2010 at 9:00 am
champbebo Says:

these philopino people never had world class champions that, this is why they act this way,,,…alot of philopino dont kno shit bout boxin
February 25th, 2010 at 9:25 am
isidro Says:

Senor Vazquez Jr. is talking confused.Lately it is the Filipino boxers getting the spotlight.If he wins and beat Sonsona then he is on the spotlight and not their 58 champions b/c it will be absurd to announce the 59th champion of Puerto Rico,not even in their local telecast for sure it will be announce that way.
February 25th, 2010 at 9:32 am
rey Says:

Lots of Filipino boxers have the potential to be a world champion but it was hard for them to get a break if not for Pacquaio there will bed no surged of young filipino boxers in american soil,usually Filipinos got the short end of the stick when they fight in foreign countries and it discourages them,look at jerry Penalosa he retired early because he was robbed of a win in Japan/Korea if not for Pacquiao he didnt came back to fight again and do you think his losses to de leon and morel were convincing ,i dont think so,go back to the fight of Pacquiao/Cotto,Lampley and Steward praises Cotto,Lampley highlighted what Cotto was doing in all three rounds even though Pacquiao knocked down Cotto in third round and he got the nerve to score it 9-9 round,he just changed his tone after 4th round when it was clear that Cotto will have no chance,the win of Calderon over Mayol is not a lopsided win, in the eyes of some Mayol whooped his A”’s.
February 25th, 2010 at 10:37 am
Donnis Says:

I hope his boxing skill is better than his mouth.
February 25th, 2010 at 11:01 am
Ivan "LatinoPorVida" Montiel Says:

Thanks guys I can’t wait till Saturday this should be an exciting fight.

Both fighters are evenly matched up I highly doubt this fight will last 12 rounds.

May the better man win.
February 25th, 2010 at 12:38 pm
shin Says:

They are already discriminating Sonsona by not having English speaking translator on their presscon. What is that?! Which Sonsona provided. If you are going to host an event with foreigner and your, language is not en English you should provide translator to translate what you say to your guest.
February 25th, 2010 at 2:53 pm
Anonymous Says:

Don’t get mad at Vasquez. Sonsona is the one who started it.
February 25th, 2010 at 3:23 pm
Anonymous Says:

Philippines has a total of 33 Champions (not up-to date/there’s more now) including two all-time greats. Even the first practitioners of the bolo punch were Filipinos, hence the name “bolo”. P.I. has a long history in boxing. Many people “fail” to realize it and they would call themselves “boxing fans”. It’s the same argument over and over, people would say “Pacquiao is the only thing Philippines has/had”…which is funny…there were already great PI champions even before Pac’s emergence the problem was the lack of promotion…PI boxers are only getting recognition nowadays because of Pac’s popularity.

Only the Elites were able to make it out of PI due to lack of interest…there was a “drought” in PI boxing especially in the 90′s…The Golden years of PI boxing I believe was during the 60′s…
February 25th, 2010 at 3:45 pm
Anonymous Says:

Anyway, I think that Puerto Rico-Philippine Boxing rivalry is good for the sport..it’s healthy…it could attract more people…

One love to PR and to PI..
February 25th, 2010 at 4:04 pm
Boricua Says:

PR has 58.

But Manny Pacquiao is better than all the 58, no disrespect intended.

So we Puerto Ricans should accept that the Philipinos are better.
February 25th, 2010 at 4:17 pm
Ivan "LatinoPorVida" Montiel Says:

Boricua stop talking nonsense I know your aren’t Puerto Rican your just trying to make it seem like a Puerto Rican is backing up Filipinos.

Puerto Ricans are very proud people they always support their fighters.

You can try to fool others but you won’t fool me you ain’t Puerto Rican.

No disrespect to the Filipino community but reality is not only Puerto Ricans but latinos from all around the world have been boxing for many years creating many great champions for decades, every hardcore boxing fan knows it.
February 25th, 2010 at 5:14 pm
Dark Moon Says:

A true boxing fan doesn’t mind the nationality of a boxer. Regardless of which country he came from, what’s important is the skill, attitude and the heart. Admire a boxer due to his skills and not due to his nationality.
February 25th, 2010 at 7:39 pm
Dark Moon Says:

@ Juan dela Cruz: dela hoya is not a puerto rican but mexican. anyway, please stop these nonsense. we, pinoys, should show the world our class (by being humble) as what pacquiao had shown the world.
February 25th, 2010 at 7:45 pm
Juan dela Cruz Says:

hI Dark Moom.. wish you will kiss the canvas too on saturday…get hurt attack after your idol loss the fight..hehehe..f…u..
dela cruz from mexico..
February 25th, 2010 at 7:52 pm
bahalanapinoy Says:

All these nonsense. I’m filipino American. I was born in the Philippines. But all these yap about who is better and who is not is just degrading to any race. We FILIPINOS don’t need to bad mouth any other race. Let’s just enjoy the success that our fellow Filipinos are reaping right now for their hard work. No need for trash talking. Be humble… like our idol.
February 27th, 2010 at 12:48 am
Silk Says:

“How many do they have?? what a jerk.. he might need to get some percentage before boosting puerta rico has many champions than the philippines.. by what percentage could it be against the total boxers coming from their country?? only a handful of the total bums.. if im not mistaken there are a lot of bums out there from where 58 world champions came from.. if the philippines has given the same opportunity as puerto rico has i dont doubt there will be a lot of pacquiaos whooping puerta ricans ass.. just like what sonsona will do….” LET’S HEAR TALK MORE SHIT!!!!!
February 27th, 2010 at 9:50 pm
Anonymous Says:

Guess he was right…
February 27th, 2010 at 11:37 pm
TrueBoricua Says:

I guess Vasquez was correct. and keep in Mind that it was Sonsona that started with the “Phillipinos are better” Crap talk. Rivalries are great and will help Puerto Rico continue to produce World class Champions as well as motiviating the Phillipinos to get into Boxing. It’s all good as long as you Phillipions don’t go Mexican on us.. It’ll be fine. Mexican Fighters and their Fans are notoriously known for being sore losers as well as sore winners… They’re just not true Sportsmen. Look at How Mexicans are supported Glove Loading Margarito? Look at the dirty shot taken by the Mexican agains Mayol? You won’t see that kind of shit in Puerto Rico or supported by Puerto Rican Fans… Good luck to the Phillipines and Puerto Rico.. I’m Puerto Rican and have some really good Phillipino friends… remember “Don’t go Mexican on us”
February 28th, 2010 at 7:02 am
TrueBoricua Says:

Sonsona is still young and hasn’t fully developed physically. He still a kid.. He needs to avoid guys like Vasquez allowing his body to mature properly. Fans should also not expect these young guys to walk on water. they’re only kids. who can easily start believing they’re untouchable. Sonsona needs to be brought along a little more carefully if he’s going to survive long enough to Mature Mentally as well as physically. Losses happen in Puerto Rico we support our fighters win or lose and we applaude their Victors. It’s in our Boxing Culture to applaud all fighters. Sonsona will recover and hopefully continue in Boxing giving us all great fights. Give Wilfredo credit. He has ZERO amatueur Boxing experience..
February 28th, 2010 at 7:09 am
joel Says:

nahh’ we pilipinos were good quality of boxers, what happend was vasquez over powered sonsona and our very young fighter lost the fight. no dought vasquez was the better man at that night..thats boxing guys you can never tell who will gonna win..tnx
March 1st, 2010 at 8:06 pm
elmer Says:

nahh’ we pilipinos were good quality of boxers, what happend was vasquez over powered sonsona and our very young fighter lost the fight. no dought vasquez was the better man at that night..thats boxing guys you can never tell who will gonna win..tnx
March 1st, 2010 at 8:08 pm
Luis Says:

Both Wilfred Benitez and more famously Wilfredo Gomez have worn the admittedly subjective P4P crown. In fact, Gomez was considered P4P king for quite a long time. If I recall correctly, also Edwin Rosario, and Esteban de Jesus may have had a claim, although I’m not sure if there was such a discussion in Esteban’s time. Hector Camacho (albeit not Puertorican-born) was also considered P4P champ at one point. Not to mention PR fighters that have been among the top 10 in that category. The definition of P4P seemed to have changed over time, since Ring Magazine “formalized” it by finally starting to publish such a ranking in the 1980s. It used to denote both mastery of the “sweet science,” as well as a dominant record. Nowadays, it seems to go to whomever is the most successful fighter. As a born and raised Puertorican, I can say that it is typical of PR boxing fans to be nationalistic in their support – we are very proud of our champions (my hometown once had 4 of them at the same time!)but not to the point of engaging in petty nationalistic debate. Both Roberto Duran and the late Alexis Arguello beat the beloved Esteban de Jesus in epic wars, and Arguello and Duran are legends that are loved in PR every bit as much as its native sons. We recognize true champions, and Manny Pacquiao is one of them. Students of the martial arts know the massive contribution that Filipinos have made to boxing from practically the outset: Most notably in how boxing went from that old time palms-up Sullivan-esque stance to both hands ready to strike as if holding two daggers, ice-pick style…not to mention the footwork. My father always remembered Flash Elorde and loved the gritty Navarette (who deserves much more than he ended up with). THAT being said, the fact is that PR has produced many more boxing champions than the Phillipines, including more “P4P” king and contenders. However, with the advent of Pacquiao, and the inspiration he is to millions of Filipinos, there is plenty of reason to think that the P.I. may eventually put quite a dent on that number.
March 4th, 2010 at 9:14 am
proudtobepinoy Says:

” there is plenty of reason to think that the P.I. may eventually put quite a dent on that number.” I agree with Luis, if only filipino boxers were supported in the past, maybe those numbers (boxing champions) would have changed. Now thanks to Pacman for introducing filipino boxing talents to the world.
April 2nd, 2010 at 12:07 am

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