RODEL MAYOL MAKES A STAND
By Rich Mazon
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 25 Mar 2012
I personally met Rodel Mayol and his family last November in Las Vegas during the third fight between Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez. Before that, our communications were via phone calls, text messages and Facebook messages. A former world champion who just won his fight two weeks to that date. He made his wishes known to me back then, that is to win another world title. A dream that he and his wife shares.
Rodel Mayol's dream was supposed to come true tonight in a title fight against Hernan Marquez in Sonora, Mexico. A dream that was flushed down the drain because of Marquez's attempt to cheat during yesterday's weigh - in. Marquez's cheating tactics were also compounded with the WBA's ineptitude during yesterday's event. Mayol and his team were witnesses to Marquez's cheating tactics to make the 112 pound weight limit and they cannot be a party to it.
Mayol and Coach Nonoy Neri left that stage where the weigh - in was held in frustration, anger and dismay. They were clearly cheated right before the fight itself, right before the opening bell. Their objections were not heard, they were not heeded. And as Mayol left that stage, he knew his dream is in jeopardy.
Rodel Mayol discussed their next move with his team and they came up with a firm one. They will not fight tonight. Not because they were scared. No. Not because they were not ready. No. Not despite the pressure on them to do so, both inside and outside of his camp. He is not fighting because an injustice was done in the sport, right in front of their very eyes. An injustice that was never corrected when it clearly needed to be corrected at that point. A breach of impartiality that needed to be remedied right away. But it was not. And they will not let this pass by. Not only for themselves but for the others who might be a victim of this as well.
Mayol trained hard and long for this fight. He left his family in Los Angeles to spent two grueling months in the Philippines to train. He has not eaten properly for a week just to maintain and make weight. He has been eyeing this since the day he lost a version of this title in 2010. He has his eye set on this after fighting four low key fights after that loss. This is his redemption , his comeback, his night. He does not care if this fight is right in the champion's backyard. He does not mind facing him with no familiar faces in the crowd except a handful of his team in the corner. He does not care even if there was no clear contract to this fight. All he knows is that he is ready, that he had prepared for this and that he will give his best when that bell rings tonight.
Mayol will not be fighting tonight but that does not mean he is not waging a war. He made a stand and is committed to it. Not only for himself but for the others who has and will experience this foolery. Even if he won't get paid . This is not just about the money he said. Even if he is entitled to it. They offered him additional incentive as per reports on this site, but he won't be swayed. They threatened him that he won't be fighting in Mexico anymore, but he is not scared. He will stand by his decision, no matter what.
Rodel Mayol will lose a considerable amount of money for not fighting tonight. His more than two months of training and sacrifice will be for nothing. His opportunity and his dream will be on hold by making this decision. But he will not lose his dignity just because of a few thousand dollars. And believe me, he and his family needed that money. His sacrifices might be all for nothing but the character that he is showing during this ordeal stands for a lot of things. He might have lost sight of that championship belt but his conviction and principle will be seen and recognized by others. His particular cause is admirable.
Money gets spent. Belts gather dust. Titles are lost. But character, conviction and the decision to make a stand against a perceived injustice of any kind will remain. It will remain longer than money, belts or title. And in this sport where fighters are asked to fight for a prize, Rodel Mayol is fighting for something far more important.
For reaction to this piece, you can email the author at rrmaze24@aol.com.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rich Mazon .
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