by Ronnie Nathanielsz

Marvin “Marvelous” Sonsona who is currently ranked No. 3 featherweight by the World Boxing Council will face undefeated Jayson "La Maravilla" Velez of Puerto Rico in a mandatory eliminator.

This was relayed in a message from well-known international matchmaker and promoter Sampson Lewkowicz following an inquiry from BoxingScene.com/Manila Standard/Viva Sports.

Indications are the winner will face champion Jhonny Gonzalez provided he defeats veteran challenger Jorge Arce on September 20.

The Sonsona-Velez showdown is likely to take place in December.



The 26 year old Velez has a record of 22-0 with 16 knockouts and is coming off a spectacular 2nd round TKO over Miguel Soto last April 28 after demolishing Salvador Sanchez Jr in a 3rd round TKO on December 1, 2012 - sending Sanchez to the canvas in the 2nd and 3rd round to win the vacant WBC featherweight Silver title.

Sonsona on the other hand is coming off a revenge win in a rematch with former WBO super bantamweight champion Wilfredo Vazquez Jr of Puerto Rico, to win the North American Boxing Federation title in New York's Madison Square Garden on the undercard of the Miguel Cotto-Sergio Martinez title fight last June 7.

Sonsona earned the NABF title shot with a sensational 3rd round knockout of former world champion Akifumi Shimoda of Japan in Macau last February 22.

The 32 year old Gonzalez has a record of 56-8 with 47 knockouts and in his last fight won by a 10th round technical decision over Clive Atwell on May 24 when the fight was stopped following two accidental head-butts by Atwell who was deducted a point each in rounds seven and 10.