LOS ANGELES, California – Rodel Mayol cannot just let a chance pass by. He is on his way to redeem the WBC light flyweight title belt he once lost to Omar Nino Romero in their rematch last summer,
which bout was prompted after their contoversial draw last winter in Jalisco, Mexico. Before losing it to Romero, he first snatched the same belt from Edgar Sosa via TKO in round 2 on November 12 of last year. Oh, yes, Mayol is on his way to redemption but not from Romero, who lost the same belt to his fellow Mexican fighter in a hard fought majority decision.
In an exclusive interview with this writer a few moments ago in Los Angeles, Mayol said “I may have a fight early next year if we reach an agreement with the other fighter”. Mayol is refering to a potential fight with him against the new WBC light flyweight champion, Gilberto Keb Baas, 33, who recently won a majority decision over his formidable nemesis, Romero.
Mayol said the fight is likely to be held in Mexico. “I like to have my fights in Mexico because I am popular there; I have gained so much respect from the Mexicans having fought popular Mexican fighters like Sosa and Romero.” He said he will be fighting at 108 pounds.
Mayol, 29, without intensive training schedules, now weighs 118 pounds. He said he is planning to move up hopefully next year after his bout against Baas, if such will materialize. A calculated aggressive fighter, Mayol believes that he will become a champion again.
On the other hand, Baas, humbly showing a record of 34 wins (KO 21) + 20 losses (KO 5) + 4 draws, posts 36.21% knockouts of his 59 professional fights. Only three of those 25 knockout wins went the distance. Out of his last 6 fights , 5 were won by knockouts, 4 of which in early rounds. He ranks No. 8 of his current division.
Ranking No. 7 in the world’s light flyweight division, Mayol has a record of 27 wins (KO 21) + 5 losses (KO 2) + 2 draws, bearing 61.76% knockouts out of 34 professional fights. He is under management of Manny Pacquiao Promotions. His cutman is the esteemed boxing journalist and dental-surgeon, Dr. Ed de la Vega.
