Rodel Mayol, Donnie Nietes To See Battle This Weekend
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
Two more talented Filipino boxers continue the quest to build on the pride and joy given the Philippines by the incredible Manny Pacquiao who has six world titles to his name and the citation as the world’s pound-for-pound king.
Filipino challenger Rodel Mayol who has a record of 25-3-1 with 19 knockouts battles Puerto Rico’s undefeated WBO light flyweight champion Ivan Calderon (32-0-1 with a mere 6 knockouts in his own backyard in a rematch at the Coliseum de Puerto Rico on Sunday,
Meantime, WBO minimum weight champion Donnie Nietes is in Mexico to defend his title against rugged interim champion Manuel “Chango” Vargas before fiercely loyal Mexican fans on the same day.
Solar Sports CEO Peter Chanliong told us they plan to telecast the fights back-to-back in the Philippines.
Mayol who was held to a six round technical; draw when he fought Calderon at New Yorks’s famed Madison Square Garden last June 13 is determined to win every round convincingly so the judges won’t have a hard time choosing the winner.
Mayol who appeared to have gotten the better of Calderon in their first title fight told his home in several fights in the past the Main Event that if there is an opportunity he will go for a knockout.
Mayol said if the knockout doesn’t come because Calderon will keep running, he would do his best to dominate every round so the judges won’t have a chance to save Calderon with a hometown decision. In their first meeting at Madison Square Garden last June 13, Calderon retained his title on the basis of a 6th round technical draw when he was cut due to an accidental clash of heads and the ringside physician ruled he was not fit to continue. The judges were split three ways with one judge having Calderon ahead 58-56, the other Mayol ahead by the same 58-56 margin and the third judge scoring it a 57-57 draw.
Well known ring physician Dr. Allan Recto told www.insidesports.ph , Standard Today and Viva Sports that Mayol told him “I will try to win every round convincingly so the judges won’t have a hard time choosing the winner, which is me. I will have to train hard for 12 full rounds. I won’t predict to win by knock out, but if there’s an opportunity, I will go for the knock out. I hope it happens.”
Calderon told Dr. Recto that the rematch “is not going to be friendly when we get on top of the ring. Well, as it has always been in boxing, two people fight and they go after each other in the ring, but after the fight, they can be friends. I don't see this as a grudge match.”
Calderon didn’t make any predictions about a possible knockout only stating “I know I'm going to win, but I don't know how it is going to be - whether by decision or by knockout. To me, it doesn't matter, as long as I get the win.”
Calderon noted that in his last fight against Mayol he was coming from a long layoff but added “this time, you will see the real Ivan Calderon, just like in my past fights, fast, hitting hard but not getting hit.”
Calderon said he is sure Mayol “will be more aggressive. I like that and it will be easier for me. I have the skills to beat him. I'm sure he will come forward and all that, but I'm very well prepared for that.”
The Puerto Rican champion conceded that there was some advantage in defending his title before a hometown crowd. He said “I like it. It's an honor; I'm excited to be fighting in front of my family and friends. It feels good to fight in front of my countrymen. It motivates me to work more hard. There’s some advantage. ”
