Philippines, 02 Jul 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


NOW OR NEVER FOR MAYOL IN PUERTO RICO


PhilBoxing.com




When Filipino Rodel Mayol goes up the ring today in Hato Rey, Puerto Rico for yet another chance at the world title, he will be staring at a grim fact against a backdrop of an outstanding yet title-deprived boxing career: this might as well be his last stint inside the boxed arena.

Mayol (25-3-1, 19 KO's), who is in top shape going into today's battle with Puerto Rican hero Ivan Calderon (32-0-1, 6KO's), had earlier sounded he's had enough of a title chance, and should he blow this one out, then this might as well be the last.

"This might be my last chance. I'm going all out for it," Mayol told this writer in an earlier interview.

Mayol will challenge Calderon once again for the WBO light flyweight title which came so tantalizingly close to him when he outdueled the diminutive world champion this June in New York, only to see himself uncrowned with a technical decision draw following a clash of heads.

"I know he doesn't have the power to knock me out. So I will apply the pressure on him and throw punches in bunches to avoid a hometown decision," declared Mayol, who trained at the Wild Card Gym for this fight, and sparred against WBO champ Donnie Nietes, AJ Banal, Z Gorres, Cuba's Olympic gold medallist Guillermo Rigondeaux, and two others.

The 28-year-old Mayol, who at one point was tabbed as the Philippines' brightest world title prospect even ahead of Manny Pacquiao, failed thrice in his world title bids in 2006, 2007 and last June.

Renowned trainer Freddie Roach, who is in Puerto Rico to join his superstar pupil Manny Pacquiao in the press tour for the Miguel Cotto bout, will be in Mayol's corner today, along with assistant Jessie Arevalo and Filipinos Jeremiah Quijano, Prem Encarnacion and "Bestfriend" Espiritu.

The bespecled Roach remains high on Mayol's chances against Calderon.

"I think 100% that with the way his (Mayol’s) mindset is and the confidence he has compared to the last time, he'll win the fight," Roach said in an interview with Boxingscene.com.

Mayol will be cheered from ringside by no less than his manager Manny Pacquiao and wife Lira, who flew from LA to Puerto Rico to see her husband's possible last try at the title.

Third man on the ring for the Calderon-Mayol rumble is referee Luis Pabon, while judges are Carlos Colon of Puerto Rico, Dr. Ruben Garcia of Texas, USA and Julie Lederman of New York, USA.

Top photo: Rodel Mayol flexes his muscles after Friday's weighin in Puerto Rico. Photo courtesy of David Infante / Boricua Photos.



Click here to view a list of other articles written by Salven L. Lagumbay.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • What If Pacquiao Defeats Barrios?
    By Ralph Rimpell, , Wed, 02 Jul 2025
  • Team USA Earns Three Wins on Day Two of World Boxing Cup: Astana 2025
    , Wed, 02 Jul 2025
  • Women's Boxing Champion Signs with Combate Global, Still Aims For WBC Absolute Gold
    , Wed, 02 Jul 2025
  • Sanman Boxing Presents Hard-Hitting Prospect Abubakar Yanon Set to Challenge for Philippine Boxing Federation Flyweight Title in Malungon, Sarangani Province
    , Wed, 02 Jul 2025
  • Boxing Returns to Tropicana Atlantic City, July 25
    , Wed, 02 Jul 2025
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 30 June 2025: Zurdo Outpoints Dorticos, Keeps WBA/WBO Cruiser Titles; Mbilli Stops Sulecki in 1; Wins by Kuroki, Wilder and Jake Paul
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 01 Jul 2025
  • IIEE Titans secured Finals in BPBL, IIEE Chessmasters retain on top level in Bundesliga
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 01 Jul 2025
  • MARIO BARRIOS LAS VEGAS MEDIA WORKOUT QUOTES
    , Tue, 01 Jul 2025
  • CATTERALL AND EUBANK LAY THEIR 'CARDS ON THE TABLE' AHEAD OF MANCHESTER SHOWDOWN
    , Tue, 01 Jul 2025
  • Dumadag holds chess tourney
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 01 Jul 2025
  • Manny Pacquiao's Case for the Greatest of All Time
    By Ace Freeman, , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • DavNor Adventure Race 2025 set July 2
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • Gumila rules Antipolo rapid chess tilt
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • FULL CIRCLE AT WILD CARD: Jhay Otamias’ Tribute to a Fighter and a Fanbase
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • Vince Paras Wins by 4th Round KO Over Sarawut Thawornkham to Capture the IBF Pan Pacific Super Flyweight Title
    , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • Team USA's Quest for Gold Set in Stone at World Boxing Cup: Astana 2025
    , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • SBA SEASON 2 DRAFT UNVEILS RISING STARS AND STRATEGIC MOVES AS TEAMS COMPLETE THEIR ROSTERS
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • Filipino Elwin Retanal wins Saudi rapid chess meet
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • Jake Paul Earns Boxing Legitimacy with Dominant Decision Over Julio Cesar Chávez Jr.
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 29 Jun 2025
  • Zurdo Ramirez Defends Cruiserweight Crowns with Unanimous Decision Over Dorticos
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 29 Jun 2025
  • Vince Paras Faces Sarawut Thawornkham Today at Venue 88 in Gensan
    , Sun, 29 Jun 2025
  • USA Elite High Performance Team Sets Sights on Gold at World Boxing Cup: Astana 2025
    , Sun, 29 Jun 2025
  • Alekhine Nouri bags silver in blitz
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 29 Jun 2025
  • Paul vs. Chavez Jr: Can Julio Derail Jake Paul?
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 28 Jun 2025
  • Dr. KO: Christian Mbilli Stops Maciej Sulecki in 1
    , Sat, 28 Jun 2025




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2025 philboxing.com.