Rodel ?Batang Mandaue? Mayol?s dream to fight for a world title before the year ends got a big boost as the undefeated Cebuano knockout artist is now officially installed as the top contender in the World Boxing Council minimumweight (105 pounds) division in the latest WBC rankings released just yesterday.
Mayol, however, still has to wait for a few more months before the feared Stonewall Boxing Stable ring executioner gets a shot at the coveted WBC crown considering that reigning champion Katsunari Takayama of Japan is obligated to defend his title against fellow countryman Eagle Kyowa within 90 days since he conquered the throne.
Takayama wrested the WBC 105-pound diadem after dethroning Mexican Isaac Bustos via a well-received unanimous decision victory over 12 heats on April 4, 2005 at the Central Gym in Osaka, Japan. The winner of the title bout is mandated to risk his belt against Kyowa due to the option agreement.
This means that Takayama will stake his crown to former titlist Eagle Kyowa not later than July 3, 2005, with the victor having his compulsory defense against Mayol.
?Takayama is obliged to defend his title against Eagle Kyowa within 90 days. Whoever wins will face Mayol next . With this, Mayol most probably could fight for the WBC championship in December,? said Mayol?s manager Josephine ?Joy? Ouano of Stonewall Boxing Club and Promotions.
Mayol, considered as the hottest among RP world champion potentials beside Manny Pacquiao and revered as Asia?s mightiest pound-for-warrior warrior today, pounded out a lopsided unanimous decision win over ex-Japanese titlist Takayuki Korogi to retain his OPBF title for the third time in the supporting main event of the Takayama-Bustos showdown.
The win elevated the 23-year-old Mayol to No.1 in the WBC ratings. Also ranked WBO No.2 and WBA No.5, Mayol parades a sparkling 21-0 record spiked with 16KOs since entering the pro backyard in 2000.
On the other hand, former WBC flyweight title-holder leapt from No. 12 to No.9 in the super flyweight division, while in stark contrast, Rev ?The Gentle Giant? Santillan nose-dived from No.7 to No.21 in the welterweight class.
This is the aftermath of Santillan?s shocking upset loss to Japanese Kazuhiko Hidaka via fourth round TKO that cost the Iloilo-native heavy-puncher his OPBF crown on March 19, 2005 at the Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan.
