RODEL MAYOL INTERVIEW FROM JAPAN!
By Salven L. Lagumbay
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 25 Apr 2006
Philboxing.com is conducting a real-time interview with World Boxing Council no. 1 minimumweight Rodel "Batang Mandaue" Mayol from his lairs in Tokyo, Japan where he is currently tapering off for his May 6 challenge of WBC champ Eagle Kyowa. Here's the full text of the interview:
PHILBOXING.COM: How's your sparring so far with the new OPBF minimumweight champ?
MAYOL: Not yet, I'll be sparring with him tonight in the gym. We train in the evening here, not afternoon.
PHILBOXING.COM:Aside from Manny Pacquiao, who are the other Filipinos expected to cheer for you at ringside on fight day?
MAYOL: I have no idea as of this time. Maybe Wakee Salud is also coming.
PHILBOXING.COM: What's the name of the gym where you train in Japan?
MAYOL: It's a nice one called Dream Gym, the owner is my Japanese trainer Miura, who also trained Celes Kobayashi, who once fought Malcolm Tunacao for the world crown when Malcolm defended his WBC belt. (FYI Kobayashi is now one of Tunacao and Mayol's two Japanese trainers, the other one being Miura. The two assist Filipino trainer Brix Flores in the corner)
PHILBOXING.COM: How many rounds have you sparred so far both in the Philippines and in Japan?
MAYOL: I've done some 80 rounds so far, then we're doing 20 more here in Japan, so that would total to a hundred when fight night comes.
PHILBOXING.COM: What's your weight as of this time?
MAYOL: This morning, after running, I weighed in at49.6 kgs. which is around 109 lbs, so I'm pretty well right at weight.
PHILBOXING.COM: Aside from the OPBF champ, who else are you sparring in Japan?
MAYOL: I also spar with Suzuki Makoto, and also one more guy here in the gym but i forgot the name. I also spar with a flyweight.
PHILBOXING.COM: I was in Japan last November, and it was freezing cold. How's the weather there now, and will it affect your performance?
MAYOL: No, it's no longer as cold here as when you came, mayb in the 15's. As of now, I dont have colds nor cough, so my body it seems has adjusted pretty well. The weather wont be a factor.
PHILBOXING.COM: What do you think are the strengths and weaknesses of Eagle Kyowa?
MAYOL: His strength lies in his punching, which he does in combinations and he's very consistent. But he has a weakness, but for the meantime, I'm not going to announce it.
PHILBOXING.COM: Former world champ Joma Gamboa says you have a 90 percent chance of beating Eagle Kyowa, and that the champ is too 'robotic' compared to your superior style. What's your take on this?
MAYOL: I'm very thankful that Joma puts his trust on me, and for helping me in many ways. That's a major boost to my confidence. I will really try my best to win because I know many people are praying and hoping for me to win.
PHILBOXING.COM: What's your final words for your Filipino fans?
MAYOL: To all my Filipino fans, thank you so much for your support. I will do everything within my humble power to win this fight for you and for all the Filipinos. I would also like to thank all the media people, especially Philboxing.com, for supporting the boxers like myself and for the chance to connect us to the fans.
(For fight fans who have questions for Rodel Mayol, you may send your queries to salven2judge@yahoo.com and we'll make sure to forward it to him for a reply straight from Japan)
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Salven L. Lagumbay.
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