AFTER falling short at becoming a world champion twice this year, Rodel Mayol gets another crack at a world title as he fights Edgar Sosa for the World Boxing Council light flyweight crown today in Tuxtla Gutierrez, Mexico.
Mayol, who has lost in four world title fights, failed to grab the World Boxing Organization light flyweight title from the undefeated Ivan Calderon twice this year.
Their first encounter ended in a technical draw after the fight was stopped in the sixth round. Calderon suffered a huge gash on his head following an unintentional headbutt.
Their second match ended similarly after the fight was stopped in the seventh round because of a cut on Calderon’s head. But that time, the judges gave the fight to the defending champion.
Sosa has successfully defended his title 10 times since winning the vacant belt against Filipino world champion Brian Viloria.
“I predict that I will defeat Rodel Mayol by knockout. I want to win convincingly over someone who many say actually beat Calderon,” said Sosa in a report posted at fightnews.com.
Sosa has a record of 37-5 with 21 knockouts, while Mayol is 25-4-1 with 19 knockouts.
This might be Mayol’s last shot at becoming a world champion.
If he wins against the formidable Sosa, he will become the sixth current world champion of the Philippines.
The other five are World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight king Manny Pacquiao, interim World Boxing Association super flyweight titlist Nonito Donaire Jr., International Federation light flyweight champion Brian Viloria, WBO mini flyweight titleholder Donnie Nietes and WBO super flyweight titlist Marvin Sonsona.
