Pacquiao is surely inspired by Sonsona's victory

The Philippines is again blessed with another upcoming boxing superstar in Marvin Sonsona, the newly crowned WBO Super Flyweight Champion. Sonsona just dethroned Jose "Carita" Lopez of Puerto Rico. But I will not talk about that fight, rather, tell you that this fight is surely an inspiration to Manny Pacquiao in his upcoming mega fight with Miguel Cotto also of Puerto Rico.

The rivalry between the Philippines and Puerto Rico in boxing has been a favorite subject in some news articles I have read recently. Sonsona's fight with Lopez is the first installment to a three scheduled fights within this year pitting boxers from the Philippines and Puerto Rico. Next in line is next week's rematch between Philippines' Rodel Mayol against WBO junior flyweight champion Ivan Calderon of Puerto Rico. And finally, the most anticipated fight of the year, top pound for pound Pacquiao moves up again in weight to challenge Cotto's WBO welterweight belt.

In this three fights, all are championship bouts with all the Filipino fighters trying to snatch the Boricuas' belts. Philippines now leads 1-0 as Sonsona defeated Lopez for the WBO Super Flyweight belt.

Pacquiao is surely inspired by Sonsona's victory as he wants to win the most important fight of the Philippines/Puerto Rico rivalry series. Being the challenger at 19 years old, Sonsona proved the world that he can handle pressure from a great boxer in Lopez, whose 16 fight-win streak has been broken. Pacquiao will also prove the world that he can handle Cotto's pressure despite the latter's size and strength advantages.