MAYOL BATTLES KYOWA FOR WBC CROWN TODAY
By Salven L. Lagumbay
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 06 May 2006
Will the country finally get a legitimate world title holder today in Tokyo?
This will be answered today when Filipino Rodel Mayol, the undefeated fighter from Mandaue City, guns for the World Boxing Council minimumweight crown against reigning champion Eagle Kyowa in a 12-round battle at the Korakuen Hall in Tokyo.
Mayol, who goes into the fight with a perfect 22-0, 17 KO's record, will meet his toughest assignment to date in Kyowa (15-1, 6 KO's), a Thai national now based in Japan.
Also set to see action is Malcolm Tunacao, who will defend his OPBF bantam title against Japanese Yasuo Kijima in another 12-round affair.
Solar Sports will air both fights starting at 6 PM (RP time), with the Mayol-Kyowa clash following right after the Tunacao-Kijima rumble.
At yesterday's official weigh-in held at the Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, the 27-year-old Eagle Kyowa weighed in at an exact 105 lbs, while the 24-year-old Mayol came in at a superb 104.2 lbs.
Also, reigning OPBF bantam champ Malcolm Tunacao and challenger Yasuo Kijima both checked in at 117 lbs.
Tunacao, the former WBC flyweight king, will be making the second defense of the OPBF title he won late last year with a one-sided decision win over Thai Kumarnthong Por Pluemkamol.
The weigh-in was attended by a mammoth crowd of Filipino, Thai and Japanese boxing fans, all eager to catch an early glimpse of the talented protagonists.
"Pirting daghana tawo sa weigh-in oy! Grabe ang mga fans," (There were so many people at the weigh-in. The fans are great.), informed Tunacao yesterday in an email to this writer.
A large number of Filipino fans, led by GAB chairman Eric Buhain and better-half, Batangas representative Eileen Ermita-Buhain, are now in Tokyo to cheer for both Mayol and Tunacao.
Notable personalities in Tokyo also include lawyer Chito Salud and wife, top boxing promoter Rex 'Wakee' Salud, legendary cockfighting breeder Sonny Lagon, Robert Yu of Ching Palace restaurant, WBC no. 10 lightweight Randy Suico and trainer Juanito Ablaca.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Salven L. Lagumbay.
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