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RODEL MAYOL: "A WINNER NEVER QUITS!" 4-Time Challenger Set For Another Title Fight By Dr. Allan Recto PhilBoxing.com Fri, 18 Sep 2009  Laredo, Texas (9/16/2009) – Hard luck Filipino challenger Rodel Mayol (25-4-1/ 19 KO) kept a low profile during the final Cotto-Pacquiao presser at the Beverly Hills Hotel in Los Angeles last Monday, Sept. 14. Although losing his fourth bid for a world title in a rematch against WBO light flyweight champ Ivan Calderon (33-01/ 6 KO) last September 12, in front of a partisan crowd at the Coliseo Jose Miguel Agrelot in San Juan, Puerto Rico, the Filipino pugilist was never discouraged. He could get his biggest break in making a final attempt at a world title fight again in November. "We weren’t so lucky Doc, but I know I should have won,” Mayol confided. This physician asked, "Do you want to fight the WBC Champ Edgar Sosa?" Mayol responded affirmatively. "Okay, why don’t you talk to Manny?” this doctor hinted. Before the presscon started, this ringside physician spoke briefly about the situation with Executive Secretary Mauricio Sulaiman who was carrying the WBC Diamond belt around. He told this writer, "If Manny wants, it's a done deal,” gladly approving a Sosa- Mayol fights. During a courtesy call after the presscon, the younger Sulaiman handed his phone to the pound per pound king. It was Don Jose Sulaiman on the other line. Later on, Pacquiao requested to Mauricio Sulaiman if Rodel Mayol indeed could fight for the green and gold belt. “Mayol is a tough contender,” the WBC Executive Secretary stated, "The WBC respects him. Of course, he can! Let's hope Sosa wins tomorrow in Puebla." Mauricio Sulaiman was convinced a showdown in November might likely happen. Top photo: Mayol raises his hands after Saturday's fight with WBO minifly champion Ivan Calderon in Puerto Rico. Photo by David Enfante, BoricuaPhotos. 
Rodel Mayol (c) during the visit of WBC Sec Mauricio Sulaiman (L) with Manny Pacquiao (R) at hotel suite 107 in Beverly Hills. (Photo by Dr. Allan Recto) POSSIBLE MATCH UP: SOSA VS MAYOL On Sept. 15 in Mexico, WBC light flyweight Champ Edgar Sosa (37-5/ 21 KO) won via 6th Round KO against challenger Puerto Rican Omar Soto, making it his 10th title defense. Sosa stated during post-fight interview that he will have one more defense of the title before moving up in weight. This writer received a message from the WBC Exec Sec Mauricio Sulaiman that the Promoter of Edgar Sosa and the champ himself confirmed they would give the worthy challenger, Rodel Mayol, a chance to challenge for the World Title in November 2009. The September 12th clash between Calderon and Mayol ended in another unfortunate and premature stoppage when Ivan Calderon suffered a head butt in the seventh round. This is the second time that the bout was ended abruptly. The first one happened in June 13 when the two pugilists squared it off at the Madison Square Garden. The fight was declared a technical draw, which meant Calderon would retain his title. Clamors from hungry fans of boxing paved the way for the rematch in order to determine whom the real winner is. Again, to the disappointment of many fans, the bout never went the distance but ended prematurely. In an article published by the Business Mirror online dated 9/13/2009 entitled “Calderon wins split technical decision against Mayol”, the current WBO Light Flyweight Champion has been quoted as saying “I want people to understand that Mayol is a much different fighter that Hugo Cazares. He is very intelligent with his game plan. He made me work extremely hard to earn this victory. I have a lot of respect for him,” said Calderon. As records will show, these two fighters have twice not finished the usual 12 round championship matches. In consolation to Mayol, he lost his bid twice not because he was not able to win over the judges’ scores when the fight was finished to the end, but because the two fights ended abruptly. HARD WORK, DETERMINATION AND PERSISTENCE Not all is lost with Rodel Mayol. He is at his prime today at age 28 and he has the full determination to take a crack at a world title. The Filipino people and the current best fighter in the planet back him up. He is well-prepared to take another shot at a world title but negotiations are still ongoing. Mayol stated he firmly believes – “A winner never quits!” The last defeat of Rodel Mayol did not diminish his stature as a world-class athlete. Fate and destiny has not been kind to him lately. However, his decision to remain a worthy contender to any title fight in his division will surely add fireworks to the ongoing conquest of Filipino boxers in the ring. The latest ring successes of Nietes, Z Gorres, and of course, Manny Pacquiao and some other well known Filipino boxers who have conquered the boxing world had made the Filipino boxers a force to reckon with. Abraham Lincoln suffered several previous political defeats. These thwarted bids for public offices never deterred “Honest Abe” from running for the Presidency of the United States as he firmly believed that with determination, persistence and hard work, he will eventually become a winner. His persistence paid off when he won the Presidency on November 6, 1860 as the first Republican President, defeating and besting three other candidates. These temporary setbacks must become a reminder to Rodel Mayol as he should never let his latest defeat discourage him from trying again for another shot at the world title. He is a very worthy opponent and a serious overall contender. His record highly speaks for itself as he has worked hard for it to where he is today. LEARNING FROM SET BACKS Even the greatest, Muhammad Ali, has suffered defeats during his time. Mayol should just take the defeats as an experience and learn the lessons from his mistakes so that next time he will eventually become a world titleholder. Hopefully, the Sosa-Mayol fight ends as an undercard in the Cotto-Pacquiao fight in November 14, 2009 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Nevada or at least, in November 21 in Mexico, according to Sosa’s promoter Dr. Fausto. 
Manny Pacquiao (L) and Miguel Cotto (R) holding the WBC Diamond Belt during their L.A. presser in Beverly Hill Hotel last Monday, Sept. 14. (Photo credit/ Jovy Halog of Team Pacquiao) In a long distance phone conversation with Manny Pacquiao, who arrived in the Philippines to train hard against Miguel Cotto, he mentioned to this writer - “I’ll try to arrange the Sosa vs. Mayol fight with Bob!” Pacquiao’s excellent Harvard-educated Top Rank Promoter Bob Arum should give Mayol his last chance in his final attempt to fight for his elusive world title. The sheer determination that Rodel Mayol has, to continue his quest for a world title, and never allowing his defeats to overcome his confidence, only shows that, at heart, he is already a winner. Click here to view a list of other articles written by Dr. Allan Recto.  |
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