GAB vows to protect Mayol, awaits report

MANILA, Philippines - Unless influential parties come to Rodel Mayol’s defense for refusing to fight WBA flyweight champion Hernan (Tyson) Marquez on the basis of a farcical weigh-in, the fighter from Mandaue may wind up in cold storage as he could be blackballed for taking a stand against the governing body.

Mayol withdrew from the Marquez fight, which would’ve been held in Ciudad Obregon, Sonora, Mexico, yesterday morning (Manila time), after a highly irregular weigh-in where the Mexican was pronounced within the 112-pound limit on his fourth try despite scaling two over about three minutes before.

Games and Amusements Board (GAB) chairman Juan Ramon Guanzon told The STAR yesterday the government agency supervising professional sports in the country will await a full report on the withdrawal from Mayol and vowed to defend the fighter if he was or is prejudiced in any way.

“We realize Mayol could be banned from ever fighting for a WBA title again but even before the ban is announced, assuming it will be, we’d like to be updated on what really happened in Obregon,” said Guanzon. “Personally, I’d like to advise Mayol to update the GAB right away so we know his position. Then, on the basis of his position, we will write the appropriate body, whether it is the WBA or the Mexican commission, to ask for an explanation. The GAB will do its best to protect Filipino fighters from being subjected to prejudicial or discriminatory conditions.”

WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao assured Mayol and his trainer Nonoy Neri of his unconditional support in a three-way conference phone call Saturday afternoon with Winchell Campos. Pacquiao was here, Mayol and Neri in Mexico and Campos in Los Angeles.

“Rodel and Nonoy talked to Manny who respected their decision to withdraw,” said Campos. “Manny asked Rodel and Nonoy for their opinion and agreed with their solid stand. Manny told Rodel not to worry, that he would arrange for him to fight in the undercard of the (Timothy) Bradley main event on June 9 in Las Vegas.”

Guanzon said he is grateful to Pacquiao for extending support to Mayol. “Manny’s offer will avert a ban on Rodel in case there is a move to blackball him,” he said. “If Rodel plans to make a formal protest, we’d like to get a copy of the file. On our part, we could also communicate with the WBA to ask what happened during the weigh-in. I don’t think this is an isolated case. In the past, we’ve heard of Filipinos being forced to fight under unfair conditions abroad and they just do it. Now, we’ve got a case of a Filipino fighter standing up for what is right and fair. I think this will open the eyes of fighters all over the world not to be exploited or strong-armed into agreeing to fight under unjust conditions.”

The Marquez camp, represented by Zanfer Promotions of Mexico, tried to save the fight by offering Mayol a $10,000 increase in his purse. But Mayol stood firm. Zanfer also attempted to lure Filipino fighter Richie Mepranum, set to battle Juan Francisco Estrada in the undercard, as Mayol’s replacement in a switch to find an opponent for Marquez.

Mepranum reportedly agreed to fight Marquez for the title instead but Mayol’s manager Michael Koncz blocked it out of principle. Zanfer then picked Mepranum’s foe Estrada to substitute for Mayol but that, too, didn’t work out.  In the end, it was agreed for Marquez to face Mepranum in a 10-round, non-title bout.  The settlement meant Mayol’s position that Marquez didn’t make weight wouldn’t be compromised.  As it turned out, Marquez pounded out a unanimous 10-round decision over Mepranum. 

The weigh-in was a fiasco. Mayol tipped the scales at 112. But Marquez had difficulty making weight. After three foiled attempts, he was back on the scales and suddenly, lost two pounds in less than three minutes. Koncz and Neri protested the procedure where Marquez’ feet were seen to be “hanging halfway off the front of the scales.” He was stark naked in his last three attempts to make the weight.

WBA supervisor Alberto Sarmiento of Venezuela gave his go-signal in announcing that Marquez was on the button at 112 pounds in his fourth try. While Koncz called for fair play in demanding another scaling, Marquez quickly drank liquids and made a fifth weigh-in academic. Koncz refused to accept Sarmiento’s decision and pulled out Mayol from the fight.

Mayol, 30, made a bold move in standing up to the WBA and Mexican boxing authorities. “He threw away over two months of hard training, a chance to win another world title and a purse of $30,000 because of principles,” said a local boxing aficionado. “Mayol should be congratulated for exposing this shenanigan in boxing. It’s time that fighters stand up for what is right. Let’s not waste Mayol’s sacrifice. The GAB should do its share in fighting for Filipino boxers and protecting their interest. Manny’s support is crucial because he won’t kowtow to any governing body. Mayol made a huge statement in Mexico and every Filipino should be proud of him. Koncz’ decision not to jeopardize Mayol’s career by disallowing him to fight against an overweight opponent should also be applauded.”