Rodel Mayol’s trainer believes the Mandaue City-native will win the World Boxing Council strawweight title on May 6.
The undefeated Mandaue City warrior earned the right to challenge Japan-based Thai, Eagle Kyowa, after beating Lorenzo Trejo in an eliminator bout last Jan. 31 via fourth-round knockout in Cancun Mexico.
“The way I see it, Rodel has a good chance of winning the title since he got all facets of the game and he is mentally and physically prepared,” said Cebuano boxing trainer Brix Flores.
Unbeaten in 22 fights, with 17 won by knockouts, Mayol left for Japan early March to start his training. Flores is set to join Mayol next week, before the former amateur boxing standout faces Kyowa.
“We have seen the tape, Kyowa is exceptionally tough. But Rodel has the bigger punch and he is very hungry. He was denied the chance to fight for this several times and I believe, it is now his time to win a title for the country,” added Flores.
Flores said that Mayol’s manager Yasuo Matsuoka has big plans for the 24-year-old fighter.
“After this title fight, Matsuoka is going to bring Mayol to the US, where he is going to display his skills to the world. The best boxers and promoters had seen him fight in Cancun and they were all impressed with his skills,” said Flores.
Bypassed
Mayol has been bypassed three times for the title, including a potential “easy” fight against Mexican Isaac Bustos, who won over Kyowa after the Thai retired due to an injured shoulder in 2004. Instead, an unranked Katsunari Takuyama got to fight for the title against Bustos. The Japanese fighter won in a lopsided manner.
Kyowa reclaimed the belt by beating Takuyama in August last year and made a successful defense last January. (
