TWO FORMER world champions from the Philippines lost in their attempts to win another title in separate fights abroad.
Rodel “Batang Mandaue” Mayol was knocked out in the ninth round by IBF superflyweight champion Juan Carlos “Zurdito” Sanchez yesterday at the Gimnasio Polifuncional in Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico.
On the same day in South Africa, Florante “Little Pacquiao” Condes also lost in his title challenge against IBO minimumweight champ Hekkie Budler by unanimous decision.
Mayol started strong but Sanchez took over in the seventh round and blasted Mayol through the ropes in the ninth. Mayol was counted out at the 2:25 mark.
Mayol, who dropped to 31W-6L-2D, 22KOs, is a former WBC light flyweight champion and was going for his second division title.
This is the second successful title defense of the champion Sanchez, who improved to 15W-1L-1D, 8 KOs.
In the fight held at the Emperor’s Palace in Kempton Park in South Africa, Budler won over Condes with the scorecards reading 116-112, 118-110 and 115-113.
Condes is a former IBF minimumweight champion. His record dropped to 25W-7L-1D, 21 KOs, while Budler scored his 21st win, six by knockout, against one loss. /Correspondent Rene Bonsubre, Jr.