Mayol to defend WBC title today

CEBU, Philippines - Rodel “Batang Mandaue” Mayol (26-4-2, 20KOs) will defend his World Boxing Council (WBC) light flyweight title in what is expected to be a grudge rematch of sort against former Mexican champion Omar Niño (28-3-2, 11KOs) in the main event of the “Top Rank Live” card today in San Juan del Rio, Queretaro, Mexico.

Their previous encounter last February 27 at the Coliseo Olimpico de la UG in Guadalajara ended in bizzare fashion, with Mayol keeping his crown but had to carried out of the ring on a stretcher.

In that fight, Niño hammered Mayol with a low blow and before the referee could call for a timeout, the Mexican was able to sneak in a wicked left hook that flattened Mayol. The match was eventually declared a technical draw after three rounds.

Niño was fuming over what he perceived a highly questionable decision and now that he’s given the chance to meet again his tormentor, he vowed to wage an all-out war to the extent of knocking out the Mandaue City-native fighter.

But Mayol, confident as ever, calmly shrugged off Niño’s sharp verbal tirade.

“He said he’s going to knock me out. Let’s just wait and see for he might end up eating his own words,” said Mayol in an earlier e-mail to this writer.

After easily making weight during yesterday’s official weigh-in, Mayol wasted no time in pronouncing that there is no doubt in his mind he will come out victorious.

“I had no problem to make the weight, I feel very strong and very sure I’ll beat Omar Niño clearly. There will be no doubts, and I’m always giving the audience a great show. I feel happy for the support of the people here in San Juan. Mexico is my second home,” Mayol told boxingscene.com. “No more words, it is time for action.”

Likewise, Niño expressed superb readiness to advance into the battlefield, even reiterating that he is hell-bent on sending Mayol down at the seat of his pants.

“I struggled a bit to make the regulatory weight, but all is well. I’ll recover a bit and go tomorrow to recover what is mine, and toast with which surely be more satisfaction to Mexico. This belt will remain here and Mayol will return to the Philippines with empty hands. I just want to knock Rodel Mayol out,” said Niño.

The 28-year-old Mayol, who is now managed by the Filipino ring superstar Manny Pacquiao, will make the second defense of the crown he won via a stunning second-round stoppage of Mexico’s Edgar Sosa on November 21, 2009 at the Palenque de la Feria in Chiapas, Mexico. (FREEMAN NEWS)