With Manny Pacquiao’s relinquishment of his IBF Super Bantamweight title, the Philippines is again left with no “official” world boxing champion.
A few years back, the country celebrated in the fact that they had three reigning champions at one time in Manny Pacquiao (WBC Flyweight), Gerry Penalosa (WBC Super Flyweight) and Luisito Espinosa (WBC Super Featherweight).
Diehard Filipino boxing fans, though, are upbeat with the emergence of exciting promising fighters equipped with heart, strength and discipline of a potential world champion in the making.
One such upcoming superstar is 22 year-old 105 pounder Rodel Mayol, 15-0, 12 KO’s from Mandaue, Cebu, Philippines. In only his 15th professional fight, Mayol grabbed the Oriental & Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) Straw weight title by overwhelming defending champion Genki Ohnaka of Japan. He did so with a devastating left hook-right straight combination forcing the Korean referee to stop the onslaught at 2:49 of the first round. The fight was held at the Tokuyama, University Gymnasium in Fukuoka, Japan on December 7th of last year.
The dynamite fisted right-handed Mayol is now rated WBC #2, WBA#10 and IBF#11. At 5’4”, Mayol is tall and strong in his present weight division which puts the light flyweight and flyweight titles also within his reach, one after the other.
Mayol is managed by American Terry Carter and his Filipina wife Joy Ouano. The couple operate the Stonewall Boxing Gym in Lilo-an, just a few kilometers from Cebu City.
I was able to ask Ms Ouano a few questions on this hot prospect:
Does Rodel believe he will be world champion within 2 years?
Yes, even within one year, he will have a chance to be a champion.
If so, what are the planned fights (after capturing the OPBF title) leading towards the world championship title?
Maybe he will defend his title (OPBF) this coming May.
Does he fear any of the champions and the other fighters rated in his present weight division up to Flyweight?
No, he is not afraid of anybody.
What do you believe Rodel has which makes him a world class fighter?
Personally, I would say his big heart, strength and great self discipline.
If he will have a chance to fight for a title…
The chance to fight for a 105-weight title will materialize only if any of the champions of WBC, WBA, IBF or WBO will be brave enough to stake their belts and reputation to face Mayol. But who among the present world champions in the 105-weight division would want to risk a beating and losing his title fighting him is the question?
Mayol has a “Big Heart”…
What makes one a champion is his having a heart”, so says Noli C. Flores, the Philippine Games and Amusement Board Chief Sports & Games Regulation Officer. “I’ve known a lot of talented fighters who are superb in sparring sessions, but crumble when the real fight comes,” Noli adds.
The heart of a champion is one in Manny Pacquiao who creates a slugfest to unload his bigger and more potent bombs giving the paying public their money’s worth. Mayol has not only a heart, but it’s a big one that Joy Ouano sees. Add his strength and self-discipline and the Philippines has a basis to expect an upcoming superstar to give glory to the country in Rodel Mayol.
Rodel Mayol’s Official Ring Record (Courtesy of Philippine Games and Amusement Board Commissioner Angel P. Bautista) No. of Fights- 15, Wins-15 (12 by KOs), Loss-0 Date: Weight Rounds Name of Opponent (Filipino unless indicated) Result Jul 1/00 105 ? 6 Joseph Villasis KO 6 Aug 26/00 106 8 Jack Comen TKO 2 Sep 23/00 105 10 Allan Llaneta TKO 5 Dec 2/00 105 ? 10 Al Tarazona TKO 1 Jan 28/01 106 6 Ken Nakajima (Japanese) UD Mar 31/01 105 ? 10 Jae Ho Kim (Korean) TKO 1 Jun 12/01 108 10 Julius Agcopra TKO 4 Aug 31/01 108 10 Pigmy Muangchaiya (Thai) TKO 5 Dec 22/01 107 ? 10 Billy Payla TKO 1 Apr 14/02 109 10 Roger Jack Maldecir TKO 2 Aug 3/02 103 12* Nino Suelo UD Dec 14/02 108 10 Chiewehan Dhanasawa (Thai) TKO 2 Apr 9/03 104 12* Isidro Lorona, Jr. UD Sep 6/03 108 10 Namchai Thaksinisarn (Thai) KO 2 Dec 7/03 104 ? 12** Genki Ohnaka (Japanese) TKO 1
* Philippine Minimum-Weight Championship ** OPBF Straw-Weight Championship
