FROM MANDAUE TO MEXICO: RODEL MAYOL?S TITLE QUEST FINALLY ENDS IN TRIUMPH
By Rene Bonsubre, Jr.
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 23 Nov 2009
News of Rodel Mayol?s fifth title challenge became an afterthought here in the Philippines. Manny Pacquiao?s seventh world title win, Z Gorres undergoing emergency neurosurgery and Marvin Sonsona?s first title defense in Canada were the topics that dominated the local sports headlines.
?But the news of his stunning title win in Mexico jolted boxing crazy Cebu out of their Pacquiao-induced high. One of our own gave us a lesson in the value of perseverance.
?The 28 year old Mandaue City native was disappointed four times already and twice this year. In 2006 he engaged Eagle (Kyowa) Den Junlaphan in a brutal fight of the year nominee for the WBC strawweight world title but lost a 12 round unanimous decision. In 2008 he lost to Ulises Solis by 8th round TKO for the IBF lt.flyweight crown.
?This year, he had two technical decisions against WBO jr.flyweight champ Ivan Calderon due to headbutts and wound up with a one draw and one loss record against the undefeated Puerto Rican.
Boxing fans can be very fickle. Few people remembered and fewer people believed in him. But Mayol never stopped believing.
?Two months ago Donnie ?Ahas? Nietes and Z ?The Dream? Gorres celebrated a rare twin victory in Nayarit, Mexico. Surely, Mayol was tempting fate and another disappointment when he arrived at the the Palengue de la Feria in Tuxtla Gutierrez, Chiapas. Would they ?allow? another Filipino to celebrate in Mexico?
?But Mayol defied the odds and produced a second round TKO over longtime WBC light flyweight champion Edgar Sosa (37-5, 21 KOs), who was making his 11th title defense.
Team Sosa wants Mayol disqualified for the head butt that got the Mexican dazed. Mayol subsequently pounced on the opportunity and scored two knockdowns. Sosa was pinned helpless on the ropes prompting the referee to stop the fight.
A rematch is reported to be in order. Mayol will be happy to oblige. All he cares about now is that he is finally a world champion.
?Mayol ( 26 W- 4L-1D, 20 KO's) was a former amateur standout and four time national champion. He turned pro in 2000 and won Philippine and OPBF titles. After four failed attempts at a world title he seemed doomed to be just another unfulfilled promise.
But he endured. We hope he will have a long title reign. He deserves it.
If the Los Angeles based Mayol decides to return to his old stomping grounds in Mandaue, I'm sure there will be more than a few people who will applaud and shake his hand.
?
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rene Bonsubre, Jr..
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