By Ronnie Nathanielsz
Three-time world title challenger Rodel “Batang Mandaue” Mayol (25-3-1, 19 KOs) is looking really good as he winds down training for his eagerly-awaited rematch against WBO Jr. Flyweight champion, undefeated Ivan “Iron Boy” Calderon (32-0-1, 6 KOs) OF Puerto Rico.
Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao’s conditioning expert Alex Ariza told BoxingScene.com, insidesports.ph, Standard Today and Viva Sports “Mayol looks good to me.
He said trainer Freddie Roach has had him “working a little bit with the Cuban 122 pounder (Guillermo Rigondeaux) who gives him great angles and moves well and Freddie is sharpening him up and spending more time with him.”
According to well known ring physician Dr. Allan Recto even pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao himself is confident that Rodel Mayol can capture the world title from the Puerto Rican superstar.
Mayol told noted Dr. Ed De La Vega “Training’s going very well as planned. We’re tapering down. My body’s condition is excellent and I feel great!.”
Cuban boxer Rigondeaux (L) at the receiving end of Rodel Mayol’s (R) punch. (Photo courtesy of Dr. Ed De La Vega)
Dr. Ed De La Vega reported that Mayol sparred 6 rounds today - 2 rounds each with Cuban Guillermo Rigondeaux (the ex-Olympian), an Armenian Gapo Tolmajian and another flyweight from Brazil named Jose Albuquerque. De La Vega said Mayol “looked sharp and ready.”
Team Mayol will fly to Puerto Rico this Sunday, Sept. 8 to include his trainer, Jesse Arevalo and assistants Rene Espiritu & Prem Encarnacion. Mayol further stated, “Thanks to Coach Freddie who had been giving me advise on how to move and other tips on how to beat Ivan Calderon. Our team has an excellent game plan. I’m not worried about a hometown decision. I trained hard to go 12 full rounds. I hope there won’t be any more head butts this time.”
When asked to comment on the statement of WBO Jr. Flyweight champ Ivan Calderon to fightnews.com, “I’m going to give Mayol a boxing lesson and my strategy will be to hit and not be hit,” the Filipino challenger Mayol replied, “We’ll see, he cannot change his style. If he hits and runs, we have a strategy for that too. I know the outcome will be different this time even if the fight is held in Puerto Rico. To me, it doesn’t matter where we fight, if you win, you’ll win anywhere the fight takes place. I will go for the knockout, if possible.”
“Calderon wants me to be aggressive and counterpunch me if I miss but I have studied his style and I am more prepared this time. I just hope both of us will come out okay even if it goes twelve rounds. I want the people watching our fight to remember us both that we gave it our best,” Mayol further revealed as a message to Calderon.
Mayol thanked all Filipino boxing fans to “please continue to support us Filipino boxers always. We need your prayers for my victory especially to those who still believe that I could be a world champion someday”
As Dr. Recto said his 3 previous records at world championship events, this may well be Mayol’s final chance for a crack at another world title.
Their fight has the makings of a classic boxing rematch. The challenger Mayol who deserves the rematch provided the lone technical draw in Calderon’s record and the champion Calderon needs this fight to prove he is the only true world champion with no equal. Both fighters showed a lot of courage and heart during their last fight in June 13 at the Madison Square Garden in New York City which ended in a 6th round technical draw when Calderon could not continue because of the accidental head butt.
