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MANILA, Philippines – The management of former world champion Marvin Sonsona has tapped controversial coach Angel “Memo” Heredia to oversee the strength and conditioning program of the Filipino fighter.
Sonsona (19-1-1, 15 knockouts) is currently in the United States, preparing for his World Boxing Council featherweight title eliminator against No.3-ranked Jayson Velez (22-0-1, 16 KOs) of Puerto Rico on a yet-to-be-announced date.
But it is highly speculated that the bout will take place on April 4 at the iconic Madison Square Garden in New York.
The 24-year-old southpaw from General Santos City set foot on American soil over the weekend along with compatriot Johnriel Casimero, who is waiting for a shot at the International Boxing Federation flyweight championship against the winner between current titleholder Amnat Ruenroeng of Thailand and Chinese star Zou Shiming on March 7.
Sonsona will have the first leg of his training camp at Roy Jones Jr.’s Fight Academy in Las Vegas, Nevada before proceeding to the Summit Gym in Big Bear, California to finish the work.
Heredia, 39, has a checkered past in sport, being one of the key figures to turn state’s witness in the BALCO scandal that sent Victor Conte to prison for distributing performance-enhancing drugs to athletes.
Heredia has since found a new home in boxing, most notably through his work with Juan Manuel Marquez, whom he sculpted into a heavy-handed counterpuncher before he knocked out Manny Pacquiao in their fourth meeting in December 2012.
Heredia insists he has reformed his ways and now advocates for stricter vigilance against PEDs. Despite speculation from around the sport, none of Heredia’s boxers have tested positive for banned substances. – Rappler.com
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