MAYOL: "I'M FEELING STRONG"
By Salven L. Lagumbay
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 03 Sep 2009
Los Angeles-based Rodel Mayol is feeling "really strong" a few days before he departs for Puerto Rico to face WBO 108-lb champ Ivan Calderon in a rematch.
The return battle takes place on September 12 at the Coliseo Jose Miguel Agrelot in Hato Rey, Puerto Rico.
"I sparred six rounds today. I'm now down to 112 lbs. I feel really strong," Mayol told Philboxing.com in an interview today.
Calderon and Mayol battled to a technical decision draw in their first meeting on June 13, a fight where most observers believed Mayol should have won.
In preparation for this rematch, the power-fisted Mayol plunged into heavy training at the Wild Card Gym, and sparred against the best available sparmates including Z Gorres, AJ Banal, Cuban Guillermo Rigondeaux, and an Armenian and Brazilian fighters.
Mayol will be joined in this Sunday's trip by trainer Jessie Arevalo, and close pals Rene Esperitu and Prem Encarnacion. Also set to join him in Puerto Rico are mega-trainer Freddie Roach and business manager Michael Koncz. Mayol's wife Lira will join him on Friday next week.
For the fight, Mayol will be using the custom-made mouthguards fitted to him by Dr. Ed de la Vega, who also prepares the battle mouthguards for superstar Manny Pacquiao, champions Gerry Penalosa, Nonito Donaire and Donnie Nietes, as well as the rest of the top Filipino fighters today.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Salven L. Lagumbay.
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