MAYOL DEDICATES WIN TO GRANDPA, WANTS TO UNIFY TITLES
By Salven L. Lagumbay
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 26 Nov 2009
Newly-crowned Rodel "Batang Mandaue" Mayol, who is now in Los Angeles following his easy win over the highly-touted Edgar Sosa of Mexico, says he wants to unify the 108-lb titles while revealing for the first time that he is dedicating his world title win to his grandfather, whom he calls his "no. 1 fan."
In an exclusive interview yesterday, the LA-based Mayol indicated that he will welcome a possible rematch with Sosa, although if the latter is not available, he would be more than willing to unify his belt with WBA champion Giovani Segura, who also stopped Filipino Sonny Boy Jaro in Mexico this weekend.
Mayol and his team arrived in Los Angeles yesterday from Mexico without much fanfare, saying that he did not inform anyone of his arrival.
Mayol was accompanied in the trip by trainers Jessie Arevalo and Jeremiah Quijano, as well as his wife Lira and Dr Ed de la Vega, who served as his cutman for the fight.
The other members of Team Mayol are Buboy Fernandez, Prem Encarnacion, Rene "Bestfriend" Espiritu, Dr Allan Recto, as well as renowned trainer Freddie Roach.
The hard-hitting fighter also said that he dedicates his win to his grandfather Domingo Mayol of Alang-alang, Mandaue City whom he calls his "no. 1 fan" through thick and thin.
When told that Sosa's camp is protesting the outcome of the fight due to what they label as intentional headbutting in the second round, Mayol disagreed.
"That headbutt was not intentional. We trained in the gym to counter him to neutralize his jab, as that is his strong arsenal.I countered him with an uppercut because that was our gameplan," said Mayol.
"I'm also confident their protest will not hold because no less than WBC president Jose Sulaiman was at ringside and he saw the fight, and I trust in his fairness" added Mayol, who hinted that Team Sosa used the headbutt angle as an alibi to their fans to lessen the shame of the second-round defeat.
Mayol plans to return to the country in the first week of December, depending on the advice of his manager, superstar Manny Pacquiao. ''I am still awaiting for the advice of Manny, i will have to arrange everything with him," added Mayol, who has yet to talk to his manager.
Mayol also thanked his former managers Antonio L. Aldeguer, Terry Carter and Yasuo Matsuoka whom he said have all been part of the journey.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Salven L. Lagumbay.
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