‘Sonic Boom’ aims for quick finish

Roman “Sonic Boom” Alvarez strikes a pose before resuming his training session early this week at the Trench Tech gym in Garapan. (Contributed Photo)

Trench Tech’s Roman “Sonic Boom” Alvarez is looking to dispatch Guam’s Robin Eclavea early in their featherweight title bout tonight in Rites of Passage 22: Rampage.

Alvarez will be stepping on the octagon cage for the first time after a two-year layoff and does not want to get overexcited with his return as he goes for a quick finish against the VIDA BJJ Guam standout.

“My game plan is to stay calm and collected. No predictions, but I always go for the finish,” said Alvarez yesterday before the scheduled weigh-in at GIG Discotheque.

The 23-year-old has a history of wrapping up his fights early, as four of his five wins were recorded in the first round. Alvarez’s fastest victory was made in 2013 when he floored Jay Taijeron with a kick to the head for a knockout win at the 20-second mark of Round 1 of their match in PXC 40. In 2014, when he grabbed the featherweight belt from Robert Wusstig, the Trench Tech bet also earned a KO triumph (flurry of punches), just 26 seconds in the opening round of the main event in Trench Warz 18: Rock and Rumble.

Alvarez’s last victory was also posted in Round 1 (4:27), as his foe Ernie Braca was disqualified due to an illegal kick in their duel in PXC 48 last June 13, 2015. For his first win, Alvarez prevailed by TKO over Regan Mality at the end of the first round of their showdown in ROP 5: Raging Warriors. The only time Alvarez failed to bring down his opponent in Round 1 was during PXC 42 held last Feb. 28, 2014, as he won via unanimous decision over McKlane Alfred.

With his five wins and one loss (versus Mark Abelardo in PXC 50 in 2015), Alvarez believes he has the advantage against Eclavea, experience and record-wise.

“I would say that my advantage over my opponent would be my experience. But best of luck to him and Biba Marianas,” said Alvarez, who was sidelined for nearly two years due to various injuries.

Eclavea has only three fights to his credit, losing his last two after winning his debut. Eclavea defeated (Round 1/submission) Jess Mesa in PXC 44 held last June 27, 2014. About five months later, Eclavea returned to the eight sides, but fell to Josh Sapinosa (unanimous decision) in PXC 46. In PXC 54 last year, the challenger had a rematch with Mesa and this time the latter got the victory via unanimous decision.

Meanwhile, two more title bouts will be featured in tonight’s ROP 22.

In the flyweight division, Trench Tech’s Jordan “The Machine” Manglona will be defending his belt against Alfred, while in the lightweight class, it will be the reigning champion Wusstig versus Korean Top Team’s Min Gu Lee.

Besides the three title duels, two kickboxing matches and 10 other MMA bouts will take place in ROP 22 that will be held at the parking lot of the Marianas Business Plaza. Tinian and Rota fighters will join Guam and Saipan bets in the anticipated action-packed bouts at the octagon cage.