TOKYO — Everybody is going out, weather cool and crisp, Tokyo is in the grip of a spring fever but there’ll be no walk in the park when Rodel Mayol of the Philippines goes for the World Boxing Council minimumweight championship at the Korakuen Hall here tonight.
Despite a better record (22-0, with 17 KOs), the unbeaten Mayol remained the underdog after official weigh-in yesterday for his challenge against defending champion Eagle Kyowa, a Thai (Del Delaphan) who fights with a Japanese tag.
Although handlers had initially expressed apprehension over excess poundage, the 24-year-old Mayol downed a big, steaming bowl of ramen (Japanese noodle soup) on the eve of the official weigh-in to dispel allegations that he had to drastically cut down on food in order to make the 105 lbs limit.
Mayol also registered a better pulse rate, 46 per minute, against 77 for the 27-year-old champion. But the dusky, marble-eyed punching marvel from Mandaue City is expected to have his hands full against Kyowa (15-1, 6 KOs) who suffered his lone defeat after dislocating a shoulder in a title bout.
Kyowa, who bared a thicker chest and balanced all-around build, was described by Mayol, who had watched the champion from ringside twice, as a very active power-puncher.
When Japanese reporters wondered if he was not intimidated by the champion’s solid build, Mayol quipped through interpreter Kunio Takano, a UP graduate, that he was not vying for a body-building championship.
“I’m in the best form of my career,” said Mayol, who added that he had sparred over a hundred rounds, both in Manila and here, to achieve championship peak.
He said he, indeed, used to have a tough time making the 105-lbs limit before. However, he surprised everybody, including himself, after he did not suffer any trouble, both in diet and training, for his first crack at a world crown.
The title bout is scheduled at 8:30 p.m. (7:30 p.m. in Manila) and will be beamed via satellite through Solar Sports and IBC-13.
Defending OPBF bantamweight champion Malcolm Tu?acao fights challenger Yasuo Kijima of Japan in the main undercard.
Kyowa did acknowledge that Mayol, a right-hander, has a strong left hand.
“I know my opponent is strong and good but I’m ready to do my best,” said Kyowa, who is making a mandatory defense, through an interpreter.
Manny Pacquiao, provided a plane ticket and accommodation at the famed Tokyo Dome Hotel by Yasuo Matsuoka, Mayol’s manager, was being awaited here last night although unconfirmed reports said the RP boxing superstar missed his flight from General Santos City to Manila.
