THOUGH HE acknowledges it to be the biggest fight of his career, world title hopeful Rodel Mayol simply considers it as just another day in the office once he enters the ring for his 12-round title fight Saturday night in Japan.
The 24-year-old Mayol will try to become the country’s first legitimate world boxing champion as he battles reigning World Boxing Council (WBC) minimumweight titleholder Eagle Kyowa at the famed Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan.
“Wala naman akong kaba sa laban. Mas doble lang ang preparasyon ko kasi siya ang pinakamagaling kong kalaban kaya dapat lang na mas handa ako ngayon,” Said Mayol in an overseas telephone interview with Bulletin.
Mayol arrived in Japan last week along with trainer Brix Flores and has been sparring with several Japanese sparring partners led by newly-crowned Oriental champion Akira Yaegashi.
The Mandaue native Mayol noted that he’s been getting quality pointers from Japanese friends who are familiar with the style of Kyowa (15-1, 6 KO’s).
“Napanood ko na din sya dito. Yung right straight lang talaga ang paborito niya kaya yun ang iiwasan ko. Pero tingin ko tatamaan ko siya talaga kasi hindi naman magalaw yung ulo niya,” revealed Mayol.
One thing going for Mayol (22-0, 17 KO’s) is the serious injury suffered by Kyowa a few years back.
The 27-year-old Kyowa had to undergo major operation after dislocating his shoulder in one of his fights.
“Sinasabihan nga ako ng ibang tao dito na suntukin ko daw sa balikat kasi na-dislocate na yun. Pero kami ng coach ko basta ang plano namin sa katawan muna targetin bago sa ulo,” added Mayol.
A win by Mayol will give the country its first legitimate world crown.
Filipino boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao, who will reportedly fly to Japan to support Mayol, is not a holder of any world crown despite being the top draw of his division.
On the other hand, current world lightflyweight ruler Brian Viloria, who traces his roots in Ilocos Sur, is technically an American citizen and has yet to apply for dual citizenship.
Meanwhile, former world flyweight king Malcolm Tunacao will see action beneath the Kyowa-Mayol encounter.
The 27-year-old southpaw Tunacao (19-1-3, 13 KO’s) will defend his Oriental Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) bantamweight crown against Japanese challenger Yasuo Kijima.
