While Manny Pacquiao is the toast of Philippine boxing, he does not hold a world crown nor does any Filipino boxer.
There’s Brian Viloria, who currently holds the World Boxing Council (WBC) light-flyweight title.
Although he has endeared himself to Filipino fight fans, the Ilocos Sur-bred and Honolulu-born Viloria, nicknamed ”The Hawaiian Punch”, is an American citizen.
Next week in Tokyo, the Philippines might end up winning a world title when Rodel Mayol guns for the WBC minimumweight plum of Japan-based Thai Eagle Kyowa.
Mayol has been held in high regard by ringsiders that a victory by knockout is not being ruled out.
So fancied is Mayol that talks have started regarding the possibility of bringing him to the States.
Before Mayol and his Japanese handler Yasuo Matsuoka and wife Gina left for Japan over the weekend, Cebu kingmaker Wakee Salud introduced the Matsuokas to some people with strong US links.
”Mayol has a solid chance of returning home with the WBC belt,” said Salud. ”He’s got the skills and the power needed to overcome somebody like Eagle Kyowa.”
Set for May 6 at the Korakuen Hall, the Mayol-Kyowa slugfest will be beamed live straight from the Japanese capital by Solar Sports.
Prominent personalities from the country who are expected to be at ringside include Games and Amusements Board chairman Eric Buhain and most probably Pacquiao and Salud, who were offered by the Matsuokas first-class airfare and luxurious hotel accommodations in Tokyo from May 5 to 7.
WBC executive secretary Mauricio Sulaiman said Vic Drakulich of the US will be the third man on the ring.
