MAYOL, BATAWANG 'BACK ON TRACK'
By Salven L. Lagumbay
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 29 Apr 2008
Following their failed world title attempts, both Rodel Mayol and Bert Batawang have vowed not to let their failures get the better of them as they try to retrace their path to glory starting this Saturday as they co-headline the "Back on Track" card at the New Cebu Coliseum.
Mayol, appearing on the weekly "Pinoy Boxing" radio show over DYH-RMN sponsored by Auto Solutions, maker of Sunriser Motorcycles, said that his decision to return to the Philippines after his American stint is aimed at getting back his focus on his boxing career.
"I wasn't really that prepared in my fights in the US. There were not too many small fighters to spar with. And I was also working at the same time, so that kept me from training one hundred percent," Mayol said during the one-hour boxing program.
Now training at the RWS Gym of Rex 'Wakee' Salud, the power-fisted Mayol says he is ready to once again show his local fans that he still has the drive to attain glory in the sport.
"When I fought IBF champ Ulises Solis, I knew my preparation wasn't really enough. And I even put him in trouble several times. I know what I could have done had I been in terrific shape," revealed Mayol.
Now out of his managerial contract with Japanese Yasuo Matsuoka, Mayol said he is counting on superstar Manny Pacquiao and Salud to get him the needed breaks in his career.
"Manny and Boss Wakee are now the ones helping me. I have no manager at the moment, but the two of them are helping me get back into shape," added Mayol.
On Saturday, Mayol takes on Thailand's Wisan Sor Suchanya in a ten-round non-title bout.
"I've been told that Wisan has been training as he was originally scheduled to fight a WBO bout in Manila although that was scrapped. So he should be in good shape too," Mayol said when asked about his opponent.
In the co-featured main event, Bert Batawang takes on another Thai Samransak Singmanassak for the vacant WBO Oriental light flyweight title.
Batawang, who was also stopped by Mexican Ulises Solis, is coming off a seventh-round knockout over Indonesia's Heri Amol at the Araneta Coliseum last April 6 during the "Invasion" card headlined by WBO bantam champ Gerry Penalosa.
Meanwhile, promoter Sammy Gello-ani informed that this Saturday's card will also be backstopped by an explosive line-up of undercard fighters.
Ex-RP Federico Catubay takes on Davao's Brix Bomb Ray over ten; while Eric Macas of Black Scorpion Stable goes up against veteran Pedro Malco.
Someone's "O" has got to go as undefeated Roemart Sentillas trades punches with the unbeaten Ed Earl Orellano; Roldan Castrodes of Black Scorpion swaps leathers with Jerome Bontog; while Roel Adelmita of Black Scorpion squares off with Edcel Tunacao.
The rest of the card pits Ryan Tampus versus Jerome Aguirre; Cham Sedillo versus TBA; and Ariel Adan versus Arnel Dunal.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Salven L. Lagumbay.
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