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..
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
NEWCASTLE WEIGH-IN RESULTS AND FIGHT NIGHT RUNNING ORDER CONFIRMED AS MURTAZALIEV AND KELLY CLASH FOR WORLD TITLE
Fri, 30 Jan 2026Boxers Make Weight for Brico Santig’s Exciting 21-Bout Promotion in Thailand (PHOTOS)
By Carlos Costa, Fri, 30 Jan 2026“It’s time for TSABZ to shine” Get to know Tanaka Saburi as he retuns March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
Fri, 30 Jan 2026ATLANTIC CITY BOXING HALL OF FAME ANNOUNCES CLASS OF 2026
Fri, 30 Jan 2026Manny Pacquiao Chess Philippines: WCM Nika Juris Nicolas is Ready to Fight
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 30 Jan 2026PFDA Grass Nationals in Tagum on June 5-7
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 30 Jan 2026Press Conference Notes: Puerto Rican Star Xander Zayas Ready for Saturday's Hometown Unification Battle against Abass Baraou
Fri, 30 Jan 2026PFDA Grass Nationals in Tagum on June 5-7
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 30 Jan 2026‘THE RING 6’ TEOFIMO LOPEZ VS. SHAKUR STEVENSON PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
Fri, 30 Jan 2026NEWCASTLE PRESS CONFERENCE: WHAT WAS SAID AS JOSH KELLY AND BAKHRAM MURTAZALIEV ARE KEPT APART AFTER HEATED FACE-OFF
Fri, 30 Jan 2026Weights From ProBoxTV’s ‘Flores vs. Castillo’ at Live! Casino Hotel Maryland
Fri, 30 Jan 2026WAPA Deportes Confirmed as Puerto Rican Broadcast Home for Saturday’s Xander Zayas vs. Abass Baraou Title Unification Showdown
Fri, 30 Jan 2026Legendary Panamanian Juan Carlos Tapia will be inducted into the Atlantic City Boxing Hall of Fame
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Fri, 30 Jan 2026Manny Pacquiao Promotions Announces Additional Matchups for Saturday, February 28 Event at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York
Fri, 30 Jan 2026SWERVE TV STRIKES MULTI-YEAR PARTNERSHIP WITH GOLDEN BOY PROMOTIONS TO EXPAND PREMIUM BOXING CONTENT
Fri, 30 Jan 2026