MAYOL DEEP IN TRAINING FOR TITLE DEFENSE AGAINST OMAR NINO ROMERO
By Ed de la Vega, DDS
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 04 Feb 2010
Way before noon Wednesday, Rodel Mayol was already at the Wildcard Gym in deep training for his February 27th title defense against former world champion Omar Nino Romero (28-3-1-1ND, 11KO) of Mexico.
Nino Romero is best known amongst Filipinos as the conqueror of Brian Viloria and Juanito Rubillar.
He beat Rubillar twice and Brian Viloria as well. But his second win against Viloria was later changed to a “no decision” because he was found positive for drugs after the fight.
Mayol without doubt will be up against a wily veteran who knows how to win fights. But, Omar Nino is also five years older than Mayol and has fought too many battles that may have an effect on his overall ability. Plus he is also a drug user having been caught red handed by the NSAC after his 2nd fight with Viloria.
Mayol indicated that he is not concerned about the record of his opponent. As he indicated to me in a conversation today after his sparring session, his only concern is his training.
“I need to be in top shape better than ever because I am now the champion. People like Nino Romero will be gunning for me but I aim to show them that I am worthy of my title and no one is going to take it away from me without a dog fight. They have to be way better than me to grab my title.”
“I am very pleased with the way my training is going. My trainer, Jesse Arevalo has been wonderful and once in a great while, Coach Roach puts his two cents too. Muray Quijano helps a lot too so I am confident by the time the fight comes around, I will be in top shape and ready to defend my title.”
Mayol goes to the City of San Pedro very early Thursday morning for his usual pre-fight medical exams. After that he and Quijano will jog at the beach in San Pedro as a continuation of his daily training routine. In the afternoon, they will be back at the Wildcard to resume sparring.
Wednesday Mayol sparred 8 good rounds. He first sparred four rounds with a very good Latino pug by the name of Efrain Esquivias who sports a 7-0-0 ,5KO record and weights 122 lbs.
Then he went another four rounds with one of Freddie Roach’s new boxers, Habir Suleimanov who appeared to be heavier than Msyol too.
In both occasions Mayol stood his ground and gave the bigger sparmates a hell of a sparring session.
Mayol, Arevalo and Quijano leaves for Mexico City on February 22. His wife Lira and this writer will follow on February 26th.
Top photo: World champion Rodel Mayol (L) tags his opponent during Wednesday's sparring at the Wildcard Gym in Hollywood. Photo by Dr Ed de la Vega.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ed de la Vega, DDS.
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