Mayol vows action-packed fight vs 'boring' champ

Wow, such strong words from Mayol. I hope he lives up to his words.... Too bad HBO is not televising the fight (or have they decided to televise it?) -------------------- Philstar.com - Thursday, June 11 MANILA, Philippines – Filipino light flyweight Rodel Mayol — now on his third try at a world title — guaranteed to give fans an exciting fight against WBO light flyweight Ivan Calderon on Saturday (Sunday in Manila) in New York City. Mayol (25-3, 19 KOs) will slug it out with the undefeated Calderon (32-0, 6 KOs) in the chief supporting bout of the Miguel Cotto-Joshua Clottey welterweight main event at the famed Madison Square Garden. Speaking at a press conference yesterday to promote their bout, the Mandaue City-based Mayol praised his upcoming foe, but also blasted the Puerto Rican for his “boring” style. “Everyone knows Ivan Calderon is a good boxer but many say his fights are boring. I will ensure that on Saturday night this fight will not be boring,” Mayol said. Reacting to the Filipino’s statement, Calderon reiterated his sound boxing style, adding that his opponents always find it difficult to tag him. “He (Mayol) may say my fights are boring because you are used to see boxers hit and I’m never getting hit. I know it’s going to be a good fight. They trained and I trained hard for this fight. My style is hit, don’t get hit and go back home with no marks,” Calderon said. “A lot of people love my fights because my boxing is not boring.” It was reported earlier that boxing icon Manny Pacquiao will be attending the event to support his fellow Filipino boxer Mayol. Pacquiao, currently the recognized pound-for-pound boxer in the planet, is also reportedly eyeing a bout with Cotto if he comes out victorious over Clottey. Calderon, however, said he is unfazed by Pacquiao’s presence to back Mayol. “A lot of people say he’ll have Manny Pacquiao in his corner but I’ll have the whole country of Puerto Rico in mine,” the 2000 Olympian said. The bout with Calderon marks Mayol’s third shot at a world title, having failed twice against Eagle Kyowa and Ulises Solis in 2006 and 2007, respectively. He lost a competitive 12-round unanimous decision against Kyowa for the WBC minimumweight crown, and was stopped by Solis in the eight round for the IBF light flyweight belt. Nevertheless, Mayol, who will fight for the third time at the Madison Square Garden, has not lost hope in trying to secure his first world title. “I would like to thank Top Rank for giving me the opportunity to fight at Madison Square Garden. This is my 3rd time fighting for a title and I’m going to try my best to win this fight,” he said. Top Rank, which handles Pacquiao and Cotto, is the card's promoter. - By Dino Maragay (Philstar News Service, www.philstar.com)