MAYOL READY FOR SOLIS BOUT
By Salven L. Lagumbay
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 04 Aug 2007
Will Filipino Rodel Mayol continue the Filipinos' winning streak against Mexican warriors when he takes on IBF junior flyweight champion Ulises Solis on Sunday?
Or will Solis stamp his class against the former five-time national amateur champion and again put Mexico above the Philippines in the race for boxing supremacy?
Mayol (23-1, 18 KO's), one of the country's most solid prospects, believes he has what it takes to dethrone a tough champion like Solis, who is himself bracing for a war to avenge his brother's loss to superstar Manny Pacquiao.
"I know he is good. But I am better and have prepared hard for this fight," Mayol stated.
The official weigh-in takes place today in Chicago.
For this fight, Mayol logged in more than 100 rounds of sparring at the Top Rank Gym in Las Vegas under new trainer Kenny Adams.
The dynamite-fisted dynamo Mayol travelled to Los Angeles and Chicago accompanied by Adams, assistant trainer Steve and fight agent Michael Koncz, who arranged Mayol's crack at the world title.
Adams once trained the late Diego 'Chico' Corrales, one of the most exciting fighters of his generation. Corrales was killed last May following a motorcycle accident in a Las Vegas highway.
Mayol said that he has already seen a tape of Solis' previous fight, and that he is not at all cowed by the champion's abilities.
"He's good, and has power, but I'm better and I know i can handle his style," Mayol said.
"To my fans in the Philippines I hope they will include me in their prayers so I will be in perfect condition on fight day for me to win the belt for the country. Please extend my regards to my wife and son," Mayol stated.
IBF champ Solis, meanwhile, said this fight will be his chance to avenge the defeat of his brother Jorge Solis, who was defeated by superstar Manny Pacquiao recently in Texas.
“It is a pleasure to fight in a great event with my friend Erik Morales, and even to do it against an Asian rival, whom i know little about, but that it will be a good fight. For me this fight against a Filipino will be a revenge for my brother, so I come very prepared and we are going to win," said Solis.
Top photo: Ulises Solis (L) and Rodel Mayol pose during the press conference Wednesday in Chicago. Photo by Chris Farina of Top Rank.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Salven L. Lagumbay.
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