Canada is gaining popularity as a preferred venue for world boxing championship events. On Saturday, reigning WBO world bantamweight champion Marvin Sonosona of the Philippines stakes his WBO crown against Mexican opponent Alejandro 'Payasito' Hernandez at Casino Rama in Ontario. The 19-year old Filipino undefeated champion won his WBO crown in Canada in September against Jose 'Carlito" Lopez via a unanimous decision. “When I first fought here in September, I was treated so well, and welcomed so warmly that I wanted to deliver a great performance to my new fans in Ontario.” said Sonsona. “Now that I’m back, I remember that feeling, and am willing to go through hell once again for my fans and my sport.”, the undefeated Filipino boxer added. Filipino boxing fans predict that Sonsona is the next Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines. The WBO bantamweight champion is undefeated in his boxing career, winning 12 by knock out of his 14 professional fights. His Mexican opponent is taking his second crack at the WBO crown:

“This is what we dream of when we get into boxing. These chances are never guaranteed, and you must make the most of them when they come around,” Hernandez said.

In other action Saturday night, former IBF Junior Featherweight champion “The Canadian Kid” Steve Molitor (30-1, 12 KO’s, IBF #2) will lock horns with Argentina’s Jose “Pamperito” Saez (17-8-4, 8 KO’s) over 8 rounds in the evening’s co-main event, Philboxing.com reports In the meantime, Filipino-Canadians as well as boxing fans from Canada have reiterated their request for the Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao to hold his next mega fight in Canada. Eslelita Maglayao who works as storekeeper at Vancouver International Airport said “When news broke out last year that Pacquiao was planning to make his next fight here in Vancouver after he defeated (David) Diaz, every Filipino-Canadian was excited and were ready to buy tickets in advance, Maglayao, whose kiosk sells magazines, candies, newspapers, among other items in the ground floor of the airport. Pacquiao had actually hinted in an interview with Vancouver-based publisher Reynaldo Fortaleza late last year that “he was contemplating” on fighting in Vancouver as he was scheduled to hold a concert here arranged by Filipino composer Lito Camo.