In what could very well be his last chance at another world title, Rodel “Batang Mandaue” Mayol arrived in Ciudad Obregon, Mexico yesterday with trainer Nonoy Neri, Jeremiah Quijano and Paquito Tinaga Jr., and fellow Filipino boxer Richie Mepranum, who will fight in the co-main event.
Mayol will face defending WBA flyweight champion Hernan “Tyson” Marquez this Sunday morning (Philippine Time) at the Centro de Usos Multiples in Obregon.
The 30-year-old Mayol had a brief stint as WBC light flyweight champion. He has previously challenged for a world title five times losing to Eagle Kyowa of Japan in 2006, Ulises Solis of Mexico in 2007 and winding up with one draw and one loss against Ivan Calderon of Puerto Rico in 2009 before finally winning by second round TKO against Mexican Edgar Sosa last Nov. 21, 2009. Mayol (30W-5L-2D, 22KOs) would lose the WBC title on points to Omar Nino Romero of Mexico seven months later.
The 23-year-old Marquez (32W-2L, 25 KOs) is seven years younger than Mayol and was chosen as the WBA Boxer of the Year for 2011. He had two successful defenses last year, stopping Filipino Edrin Dapudong (TKO 3) and former champion Luis Concepcion of Panama (TKO 1).
According to the Spanish language boxing website notifight.com, Mayol said upon his arrival in Mexico that “I come well prepared, it may come down to knocking out Tyson Marquez, because I know he is a very strong fighter, and will also look for the knockout.”
Mayol, who is now based in Los Angeles, returned to his roots in Cebu and trained here for two months for this title attempt.
Mepranum (25-2-1, 5 KOs), who hails from Sarangani province, is scheduled to battle top Mecican prospect Juan Francisco “El Gallo” Estrada (22-1-0, 17KOs) for the WBA North American flyweight title.