By Ronnie Nathanielsz
Undefeated WBC No. 1 and Oriental Pacific Boxing Federation minimum weight champion Rodel Mayol of the Philippines has scored a spectacular fourth round knockout victory over Mexico’s Lorenzo Trejo in a world title eliminator in the picturesque resort city of Cancun, Mexico.
The Mayol-Trejo fight was one of the highlights on the blockbuster card presented in the WBC’s “Night of Champions” organized by the prestigious world governing body headed by its president Jose Sulaiman.
Mayol dropped Trejo in the very first round and was in complete control of the fight before nailing the Mexican from the Tijuana hometown of Erik “El Terrible” Morales with a crushing uppercut to put him away for good at :29 seconds of the fourth round.
Managed by respected Japanese businessman-sportsman Yasuo Matsuoka and his charming Filipino wife Gina who also handles OPBF bantamweight champion Malcolm Tunacao, Mayol said they were kind to him and looked after his interests very well. Tunacao was formerly handled by American Terry Carter and Joy Ouano who also handled Mayol’s career well but eventually turned him over to Matsuoka because they realized it was in the best interests of Mayol, one of the country’s best hopes for another world title.
Gina Matsuoka kept Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today abreast with updated accounts from special ringside and indicated they were “thrilled” at the performance of the soft-spoken Mayol who has dynamite in his fists and is a vicious body puncher.She said it was "a good fight." Internationally renowned referee/judge Bruce McTavish who has made his home in Angeles City said “this is excellent news. I am so happy.” With the latest triumph over a Mexican opponent following Filipino ring idol Manny Pacquiao’s devastating win over Morales last January 22 (Manila Time) the Philippines appeared to be on a roll.
Two more rising young stars , WBO No. 4 and OPBF No. 1 super flyweight Z “The Dream” Gorres and WBO Asia Pacific junior lightweight champion Czar Amonsot will both clash with touted Mexican opponents later this week at the Orleans Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. The two fighters who are training at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles have impressed Freddie Roach who is also training Brian Viloria for his first defense of the WBC light flyweight title against former champion Jose Antonio Aguirre next month. In Japan, Malcolm Tunacao and super featherweight Randy Suico will defend their OPBF crowns on February 5.
Moments after he demolished Trejo, Mayol told Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today he was “ grateful for all the support and prayers” of his countrymen and vowed to win the world title when he battles the champion Eagle Kyowa, a Thai who fights out of the stable of Akihiko Honda, the influential Japanese boxing promoter and manager.
Viva Sports will telecast the Mayol fight on its top-rated weekly boxing show the “Main Event” on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. over RPN Channel 9.. Mayol’s title defense against Japan’s Takayuki Korogi last April 4 when he scored a lopsided twelve round shutout 120-107 on the scorecards of all three judges and his previous title defense against Indonesian champion Marti Polii were also telecast by Viva Sports on the “Main Event”
With his win Mayol improved to 22-0 with 17 knockouts while Trejo who was ranked No. 2 by the WBC after an impressive tenth round KO win over Oscar Martinez last October 22 dropped to 24-13 with 11 knockouts.
