MAYOL, TU?ACAO EXPECT WAR ON MAY 6

Both WBC no. 1 minimumweight Rodel Mayol and OPBF bantam king Malcolm Tu?acao expect no less than all-out bloodbath when they face separate opponents on May 6 at the Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan.

The undefeated Mayol (22-0, 17 KO's) will challenge WBC minimumweight kingpin Eagle Kyowa (15-1, 6 KO's) in a 12-round showdown between two of the world's elite small men.

This will be Mayol's first crack at the WBC title, while the Japan-based Thai Kyowa will be seeing action in his sixth consecutive WBC world title bout.

Rodel Mayol (standing) enjoys a light moment with Malcolm Tunacao at the recent Elorde Banquet of Champions.

--PHOTO BY DONG SECUYA

"I'm really expecting him (Kyowa) to step up and do his best for this fight. I too will be ready, so this will be total war," said Mayol.

Tu?acao (19-1-3, 13 KO's) will be defending his regional title for the second time against Japanese Yasuo Kijima in the co-featured 12-round tussle.

Mayol and Tu?acao are managed by Tokyo businessman Yasuo Matsuoka, while Kyowa and Kijima are both handled by Kadoebi Jewel, thus making this a battle between two boxing groups.

Mayol, who ruled as the OPBF 105-lb champ before relinquishing the title to pursue a world title bout, had earlier earned the right to challenge Kyowa after impressively stopping Lorenzo Trejo in the fourth round during the Night of Champions card in Cancun, Mexico.

Mayol-Kyowa pits two highly-talented fighters, with Mayol enjoying an edge in power while Kyowa is perceived to be the more experienced banger owing to his familiarity with world championship bouts.