Mayol bids for WBC title tonite

TOKYO – For over two years, Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) minimumweight champion Rodel Mayol waited for a shot at the world crown and no titleholder dared to face him. He was discovered by Tony Aldeguer then moved to Terry Carter’s stable before Japanese businessman Yasuo Matsuoka bought his rights for P4 Million.

With Matsuoka as his manager, Mayol found a link to the Japanese cartel that dominates action in the lighter weight categories.

And tonight, Mayol will finally fight for the World Boxing Council (WBC) minimumweight title held by Den Janlaphan, a Thai who lives in Tokyo as Eagle Kyowa, at the Korakuen Hall here.

It is the culmination of a life-long dream for Mayol, a two-time Palarong Pambansa gold medalist who has compiled a 22-0 record, with 16 KOs, since turning pro in 2000. He took the Philippine title in only his fourth pro bout and wrested the OPBF crown on a first round stoppage of Genki Ohnaka in Tokuyama in 2003. Mayol has not lost in six overseas bouts so far.

No Filipino deserves a crack at the world title more than Mayol. He risked his future by taking on fights in Japan, Indonesia and Mexico but passed each test with flying colors. Last January, Mayol ventured to Cancun and took on Mexican contender Lorenzo Trejo, coming off eight straight wins, in a WBC title eliminator. Wasting no time, Mayol floored Trejo in the first round then finished off Erik Morales’ protégé with an uppercut in the fourth. The win was reminiscent of Manny Pacquiao’s disposal of Mexican legend Marco Antonio Barrera.

Mayol, 24, is like Pacquiao in that they both hail from the South, are heavy-handed hitters and come from humble beginnings. Mayol would like nothing better than to follow in Pacquiao’s footsteps. Pacquiao will be at ringside cheering for Mayol tonight.

Kyowa, 27, is on his second reign as WBC champion. Last January, he stopped Ken Nakajima to retain the crown. His record is 15-1, including six KOs, with the only stain a fourth round technical knockout defeat to Isaac Bustos two years ago after injuring his right shoulder.

Kyowa scored a lopsided unanimous 12-round decision over Mexican Jose Antonio Aguirre, who recently fought Brian Viloria, to capture the WBC 105-pound crown in Tokyo in 2004. He lost the crown in his first defense to Bustos then regained it from Katsunari Takayama who had dethroned the Mexican.

Kyowa’s list of victims includes Filipinos Elmer Gejon, Fabio Marfa and Noel Tunacao.

Among those who flew in from Manila to watch the fight are Games and Amusements Board chairman Eric Buhain, Pacquiao, Cebu promoter Rex (Wakee) Salud, sportsman Sonny Lagon and Team Asia executive Joey Fornier.

In a message, Buhain said:

"Everybody is hoping and praying for the success of our kababayan Rodel Mayol. I witnessed the training and he is in the best shape of his life. Rodel truly believes in his ability to be world champion. The WBC and JBC (Japan Boxing Commission) are also excited about this fight. (WBC president) Don Jose (Sulaiman) has sent a very credible team headed by supervisor Chuck Williams. The champion Eagle Kyowa also is very ready to defend his title and we all have the highest respect for him."

In the undercard, OPBF bantamweight champion Malcom Tunacao–a Mandaue native like Mayol–defends his crown against Kyowa’s stablemate Yasuo Kijima in a 12-round bout.

Both fights will be shown starting at 9 tonight simulcast on the Solar Sports channel and IBC-TV.

Vic Drakulich will be the referee in the Kyowa-Mayol fight. The Nevada arbiter has worked fights involving Barrera, Oscar Larios, Morales, Oscar de la Hoya, Miguel Angel Cotto, Floyd Mayweather, Juan Manuel Marquez and Hector Velazquez but never a Filipino.

The judges are Gale Van Hoy of Texas, Chuck Hassett of California and Alejandro Rochin of Mexico.

Salud predicted a double victory for the Philippnes. He said Mayol will knock out Kyowa inside eight rounds and Tunacao will outclass Kijima.

Mayol has waited and prepared long for this title shot, said Salud who described Kyowa as an in-and-out boxer-puncher. One of Salud’s protégés Gejon went the distance with Kyowa and was never hurt.

As for Tunacao, Salud said his opponent Kijima was accommodated because he is Kyowa’s stablemate. Kijima has never fought a Filipino.

Tunacao, 27, was once the WBC flyweight champion. Since yielding the crown to Pongsaklek Wonjongkam in 2001, he has not lost in 10 fights, drawing twice. His record is 19-1-3, with 13 KOs.

Kijima, 28, has a 19-8-2 record, with five KOs. He turned pro in 1995, three years before Tunacao.