RODEL Mayol already fell short in four world title shots but he still kept on going and was finally rewarded when he won the World Boxing Council (WBC) light flyweight crown last Nov. 21 against Edgar Sosa.
Unlike other boxers who get frustrated and discouraged after a string of failures, Mayol never even thought of quitting because he knew that he can be a world champion.
One of the main reasons that drove him to win a world title was fellow world champion and promoter Manny Pacquiao.
“Manny Pacquiao motivated me to win,” said Mayol, who was inspired after seeing Pacquiao win his record-breaking seventh division world title after beating Puerto Rican superstar Miguel Cotto a week before his fight.
“He gave me another chance to fight for a world title and in my fight I had to prove to Manny Pacquiao that I’m also a world champion,” he said.
Pacquiao, who owns MP Promotions, personally asked WBC president Don Jose Sulaiman to give the 28-year-old Mayol, who is from Mandaue City, a world title shot.
“My ambition when I started boxing was to become a world champion, that’s why I was never discouraged even when I was beaten four times,” said Mayol.
Mayol lost his first world title fight against Eagle Kyowa in 2006 and also lost to Ulises Solis in eight rounds in 2007.
Earlier this year, Mayol failed in two tries against World Boxing Organization light flyweight champion Ivan Calderon before finally striking it big against Sosa in Mexico, winning in two rounds.
After the fight, Sosa appealed to the WBC to reverse the decision, alleging that Mayol’s headbutt in the second round contributed to the knockout.
However, the WBC denied Sosa’s request.
“It was just their reason because Sosa hasn’t lost for a very long time,” said Mayol of Sosa’s plea to the WBC.
Mayol’s win snapped Sosa’s 26-fight winning streak. Sosa last lost to Solis in 2003.
“Sosa wasn’t conditioned for the fight because he lacked the power, that’s why I beat him,” said Mayol.
On the other hand, a unification bout between Mayol and Calderon is unlikely as the Puerto Rican champion is eyeing a bout with Filipino world champion Brian Viloria.
Mayol has his sights on another world champion, World Boxing Association light flyweight king Giovanni Segura, but said that the decision is up to Pacquiao.
Mayol was offered by WBC his first world title defense against mandatory challenger Omar Ni?o on Jan. 30 but turned it down because there isn’t enough time for training.
