Andrew Fruman previews Saturday night's Rumble at Rama X show, featuring the super-flyweight match-up between Marvin Sonsona and Alejandro Hernandez.

Tomorrow night, Filipino southpaw Marvin Sonsona returns to the Casino Rama Entertainment Center to make the first defence of his 115 pound WBO title belt against Mexican Alejandro Hernandez.  Sonsona's title winning effort over Jose Lopez back on September 4^th, was arguably the best fight yet in the Rumble at Rama series, and the youngster's return is an exciting development not only for local Ontario boxing fans, but for fans watching across Canada on TSN.

As was the case against Lopez, Sonsona will again enjoy the overwhelming support of the fans in attendance.  With a large Filipino community within a relatively short drive of Rama, the crowd will undoubtedly be firmly behind the big punching teenager.

The fans liked what they saw last time out, as Sonsona lived up to his lofty advance billing, proving himself every bit the two handed puncher he was advertised as.  But what really stood out was his poise, as he withstood a determined rally from his more experienced opponent to finish the bout strongly.  He also showed an impressive chin, as he absorbed several flush right hands and left hooks over the course of the gruelling 12 rounder. 

In Hernandez, he'll be facing an opponent without the same resume or skill set as the man he just beat, and it's temping to say the Mexican challenger is in way over his head.  Only 23 years old, Hernandez already has 7 defeats on his record, the most recent picked up just 2 months ago via a 12 round unanimous decision loss to countryman Wilbert Uicab.

Despite his spotty ledger, Hernandez has proven himself a solid campaigner.  A veteran of 30 pro contests, he's shown his durability by going the 12 round distance on 6 occasions, including a gritty effort against Argentina's Omar Narvaez last year.

Against Narvaez - the Ring #4 rated flyweight - Hernandez proved his ability to battle it out with a truly world class fighter, and while he was in trouble at times, he gave a solid account of himself in the loss, showing his resolve in lasting the full 12.

He's clearly no pushover, but can he hang with Marvin Sonsona?

Probably not.

While Hernandez has fast hands and moves well, he doesn't appear to have the kind of sting on his shots necessary to keep Sonsona honest.  He's also a little sloppy when he goes on the attack, as he doesn't keep his hands high, especially his lead left, which he tends to brings back dangerously low after jabbing.

It's tough to see those flaws not being badly exposed by a fighter with the type of booming one shot power that Sonsona possesses.  The heavy handed southpaw should be able to stand in without much worry and really rip counters, and with the openings Hernandez leaves, it's hard to imagine the challenger not getting repeatedly tagged with hard shots.

If there's a concern for Sonsona, it might be comfortably making 115 pounds.  According to trainer Nonito Donaire Sr., Sonsona was 6 pounds over the limit when he arrived in Toronto last Saturday, yet the trainer added that he was unconcerned and was happy with where his fighter was at.

On the undercard...

The main supporting bout features Canadian Steve Molitor in a stay busy 8 rounder with Argentinean Jose Saez.  On paper, this one looks like a colossal mismatch, and chances are the bout won't go the scheduled distance.  Since 2002, Saez has faced 11 opponents with winning records, suffering stoppage defeats on 6 occasions, while recording only 2 victories in those contests.

The fighters have one common opponent - Argentinean Ceferino Dario Labarda.  Saez was stopped in 1 round by Labarda, while Molitor was a TKO winner in 10.

In fairness to Molitor and promoter Alan Tremblay, the junior-featherweight contender is currently in a holding pattern.  Having won an eliminator earlier this year, it doesn't make a lot of sense for Molitor to risk his mandatory spot by taking on a more challenging opponent.  There has been talk of an eventual rematch with lanky Panamanian puncher Celestino Caballero, however if Caballero moves up to 126, a rematch with South African Takalani Ndlovu for the vacant belt will be in order.

Also in action on the show and making his Casino Rama debut is undefeated Filipino 122 pounder Ciso Morales.  The 21 year old takes on Mexican Miguel Piedras in an 8 rounder.

Having signed with Tremblay's Orion Sports Management, Morales will be looking to make a solid showing, and hopefully be a regular player in future Rumble at Rama shows.  Morales has been sparring with Sonsona, and is said to have explosive power in his right hand.  His shortcoming is defense, but according to Donaire, Morales has made recent strides in that area.

Rounding out the show...

Canadian heavyweight Greg Kielsa takes on American Jason Bergman in a 10 rounder.

Justin Fountain faces Frank Abbiw over 4 rounds.  The two fought on the last Rama show, with Fountain taking a unanimous decision in a scrappy contest.

Welterweight prospect Felix Mercedes will look to move his record to a perfect 4-0 against Calgary's Todd Furler.

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SBN coverage of Marvin Sonsona v. Alejandro Hernandez (TSN)