FOR some time now, the Cebu boxing scene has bred several world-title prospects, but it is yet to see a new world champion ? thanks mostly to boxing politics.
Undeniably, Rodel Mayol, Eriberto Gejon, Wendel Janiola, Z Gorres, Rey Bautista, Randy Suico and Rev Santillan all have what it takes to become world champions.
But like most organizations, boxing is governed by politics, sometimes reducing contenders to mere pretenders.
The next Ricardo Lopez
Mayol could be the next Ricardo Lopez if given the chance ? something he had been denied twice recently. Unless the Games and Amusements Board (GAB) fights for him or his handlers bring him to the US, the 23-year-old warrior from Mandaue City may forever be a contender and never a challenger.
Since severing ties with influential Japanese matchmaker Joe Koizumi and Akihiko Honda of Tiekken Promotions, Mayol has been denied shots for both the WBA and WBC belts.
Mayol, the current OPBF champ and considered one of Asia?s toughest minimumweight fighters, could get a crack at the IBF belt, but his camp is apprehensive of the cost of brining him to the US.
Right direction
He may also opt for a treacherous eliminator bout, a decision that led his stablemate Janiola to three losses, twice to hometown decisions. Gorres and Bautista, on the other hand, seem to be heading in the right direction.
Gorres is still in the US training at Buddy McGirt?s gym in Orlando, Florida while Bautista has already started getting the world?s attention after a huge win in Hawaii.
Suico, meantime, will almost surely get the chance to fight for the WBC super-featherweight title what with the influence of his manager Koizumi. He may even be Marco Antonio Barrera?s next challenger.
