Mayol searches for patron

The country’s brightest hope for another world boxing title is in limbo.

Rodel Mayol, 22, is widely considered to be the next Filipino world champion. He hits like a mule, works hard in the gym and is tough as nails. Mayol, the reigning Orient and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) minimumweight titlist, is rated No. 2 in the 105-pound division by the World Boxing Council (WBC).

Ring experts agree that Mayol is only a win or two away from earning a mandatory crack at the WBC crown held by Tokyo-based Thai Den Sorjaturong, now known as Eagle Akakura.

But the problem is Mayol has no connections to the top. His manager Terry Carter, a former US Green Beret who has lived in Cebu since 1998, is in California awaiting the results of medical tests that may or may not confirm the suspicion of a cancerous tumor in his brain. Carter is also being charged in court by a disgruntled former employee Juanito Ablaca–who used to train Mayol–for violating Philippine immigration and labor laws.

Carter’s Filipina fiancée Joy Ouano, who manages his Stonewall boxing stable in Lilo-an, is on the lookout for a godfather who could seal Mayol’s title shot. Ouano said Japanese impresario Akihiko Honda and matchmaker Joe Koizumi were initially interested in Mayol but not anymore.

"I could not persuade Mr. Honda to make more investments in another Filipino boxer in addition to (Joma) Gamboa and (Randy) Suico now that he is reluctant in cultivating more Filipino boys," explained Koizumi. "Since Mayol is such a good prospect, I hope he will grow up to be a world champ in the future."

Ouano approached lawyer Rudy Salud last week to ask if he could take Mayol under his wing. But Salud said it is his policy to manage only a fighter at a time and he is now committed to Z Gorres, a superflyweight contender. "Once Gorres retires or becomes a world champion, then I will look for another fighter to take care of," said Salud.

The former WBC secretary-general, however, said as a Filipino, he is willing to help Mayol out in a personal capacity but not before finding out why Ablaca is feuding with Carter and why Honda decided to back off, with the fighter so close to a world title shot.

Ouano claimed Ablaca resented her strict administrative procedures in managing the Stonewall stable and vented his anger on Carter. Carl Peñalosa Jr. replaced Ablaca as Mayol’s trainer.

Mayol is not booked for a fight at the moment. He was offered to take on Juan Landaeta of Mexico in Caracas, Venezuela, this month but declined the invitation to participate in the card promoted by the World Boxing Association (WBA). Instead, another Filipino Eriberto Gejon will face Landaeta on Jan. 31.

Ouano said the Caracas fight was too risky and the WBA offered no purse for Mayol. Besides, Mayol is an OPBF champion and the OPBF is affiliated to the WBC. Gejon, ranked No. 4 by the WBA and WBC, will be paid $3,000 by Koizumi as matchmaker–not the WBA–to battle Landaeta.

Without Honda’s backing, Ouano is wondering if Mayol’s days as OPBF champion are numbered. The economic crunch is discouraging Filipino promoters to bankroll Mayol’s first defense of the OPBF title and he will likely stake the crown in Japan. Ouano said a Filipino patron would protect Mayol from getting shortchanged abroad.

Mayol was recently inked by Carter to a five-year extension of their contract but the signing bonus of $10,000 will not be released until May, said Ouano.

Mayol turned pro in July 2000 and has since compiled a 15-0 record, with 12 knockouts. He was sensational in knocking out Genki Ohnaka in the first round to wrest the OPBF diadem in Tokuyama last Dec. 7. The only fighters to survive the distance with Mayol were Ken Nakajima, Nino Suelo and Isidro Lorona.

Mayol has scored eight knockouts in the first two rounds so far.

A two-time Palarong Pambansa gold medallist, Mayol was managed by Cebu-based businessman Tony Aldeguer until Carter offered a P200,000 signing bonus to join his stable in 2001. The bonus was reportedly paid to Mayol’s father.

The oldest of five children, Mayol sends two brothers Roel, 19, and Arvin, 14, to school and supports his estranged parents. His father Rodrigo and mother Leonisa Generalao split up six years ago. His father, who has four children with a second wife, used to be a tricycle driver and is jobless in Mandaue. His mother now lives in Malolos with a jeepney driver.

When Mayol was in Grade 3 at the Mandaue City Central School, he knocked out a campus bully–bigger and three years older–with a single blow. But it wasn’t until he was 15 that he began seriously training as an amateur fighter under Brix Flores.

Last August, Mayol married Lira Mendoza. A few days later, his bride gave birth to their first born, a son named Eizre.