MAYOL’S LAST STAND
By Dr. Allan Recto
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 03 Sep 2009
Laredo, Texas (Sept. 2, 2009) – On September 12, MP Promotion’s Filipino pugilist Rodel “Batang Mandaue” Mayol (25-3-1, 19 KOs) will fight for the World Boxing Organization (WBO) Jr. Flyweight championship title of undefeated belt-holder Ivan “Iron Boy” Calderon (32-0-1, 6 KOs) from Puerto Rico. Pound-per-pound king Manny “PacMan” Pacquiao himself is confident that Rodel Mayol can capture the world title from the Puerto Rican boxing superstar Iron Boy Calderon. Philboxing.com had the good fortune of getting an update from the challenger Rodel Mayol as he prepares for his rematch with WBO 108 lbs. world champ Calderon.
When asked how everything went today at the Wild Card Gym of world class trainer Coach Freddie Roach he replied: “Training’s going very well as planned. We’re tapering down. My body’s condition is excellent and I feel great!.”
According to Dr. Ed De La Vega, Mayol sparred for 6 rounds today - 2 rounds each with Cuban Guillermo Rigondeaux (the ex-Olympian), an Armenian Gapo Tolmajian and another flyweight from Brazil named Jose Albuquerque. “Rodel Mayol looked sharp and ready,” Dr. De La Vega added in his email when he sent this writer Mayol’s training photos today.
Team Mayol will fly to Puerto Rico this Sunday, Sept. 8 to include his trainer, Jesse Arevalo and assistants Rene Espritu & Prem Encarnacion. Mayol further stated, “Thanks to Coach Freddie who had been giving me advise on how to move and other tips on how to beat Ivan Calderon. Our team has an excellent game plan. I’m not worried about a hometown decision. I trained hard to go 12 full rounds. I hope there won’t be any more head butts this time.”
Top photo: Cuban boxer Rigondeaux (L) at the receiving end of Rodel Mayol’s (R) punch. (Photo courtesy of Dr. Ed De La Vega)
World Famous boxing coach Freddie Roach (c) giving instructions to Rodel Mayol (L) as trainers Jesse Arevalo and Eric Brown (R) listen. (Photo courtesy of Dr. Ed De La Vega)
Rodel Mayol (R) sparred with Armenian fighter Gapo Tolmajian (L) at the Wild Card Gym today. (Photo courtesy of Dr. Ed De La Vega)
When asked to comment on the statement of WBO Jr. Flyweight champ Ivan Calderon to fightnews.com, “I’m going to give Mayol a boxing lesson and my strategy will be to hit and not be hit,” the Filipino challenger Mayol replied, “We’ll see, he cannot change his style. If he hits and runs, we have a strategy for that too. I know the outcome will be different this time even if the fight is held in Puerto Rico. To me, it doesn’t matter where we fight, if you win, you’ll win anywhere the fight takes place. I will go for the knockout, if possible.”
“Calderon wants me to be aggressive and counterpunch me if I miss but I have studied his style and I am more prepared this time. I just hope both of us will come out okay even if it goes twelve rounds. I want the people watching our fight to remember us both that we gave it our best,” Mayol further revealed as a message to Calderon.
“To all the fans of philboxing.com, thank you and please continue to support us Filipino boxers always. We need your prayers for my victory especially to those who still believe that I could be a world champion someday!” Mayol concluded. Given his 3 previous records at world championship events, this may well be Mayol’s final chance for a crack at another world title.
Their fight has the makings of a classic boxing rematch. The challenger Mayol who deserves the rematch provided the lone technical draw in Calderon’s record and the champion Calderon needs this fight to prove he is the only true world champion with no equal. Both fighters showed a lot of courage and heart during their last fight in June 13 at the Madison Square Garden in New York City which ended in a 6th round technical draw when Calderon could not continue because of the accidental head butt.
This time, the “Unbeaten Champions” PPV card at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico Jose Miguel Agrelot headlined by Calderon vs. Mayol rematch will be presented by PR Best Boxing Promotions Inc. of Ivan & Peter Rivera.
“Undefeated Champions” will be distributed in the United States LIVE by Integrated Sports at 9 PM/ET – 6 PM/PT on cable and satellite pay-per-view via iN Demand and DirecTV for a suggested retail price of only $29.95 on Saturday, September 12. For more information about the “Undefeated Champions” PPV show, go on line to www.integratedsportsnet.com.
Will Rodel Mayol indeed be the last man standing at the end of this rematch?
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Dr. Allan Recto.
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