Mayol gets shot at WBA title

CEBU, Philippines - Cebuano fighter Rodel "Batang Mandaue" Mayol (30-5-2, 22KOs) gets another chance to regain lost pride and glamour as he is set to challenge World Boxing Association (WBA) flyweight champion Hernan "Tyson" Marquez (32-2, 25KOs) of Mexico on March 24 in Mexico.

Initially, Mayol is scheduled to see action in a boxing promotion of pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao on March 17 in Saranggani Province but had to pull out of the card in favor of the world title shot that suddenly comes his way.

"Pacquiao told me that I have to grab the opportunity. He even advised me to train hard because I have a big chance of beating Marquez," said Mayol after a meeting with Pacquiao yesterday at the Wack Wack Golf and Country Club in Manila where the global Filipino icon is taking part in the pro-am event ahead of the US$300,000 ICTSI Philippine Open.

Mayol said he is set to meet Pacquiao's Canadian adviser Michael Koncz on Friday in Manila to finalize the deal.

"Koncz called me up last Tuesday night informing me of the offer to fight for a world title. I'm so happy about it, but anxious at the same time because I know this will be my last chance to prove I still have what it takes to be a champion," said Mayol.

Mayol said he will be back in Cebu this weekend to start his rigid training regimen either at the ALA Boxing Gym or at the sweat shop of Cebuano topnotch promoter Rex "Wakee" Salud.

After three failed attempts, the 30-year-old Mayol finally crowned himself as world champion after he scored a second round stoppage of Edgar Sosa to clinch the WBC light flyweight belt on November 21, 2009 at the Palenque de la Feria in Chiapas, Mexico.

Mayol's reign only lasted for seven months as he was dethroned by Oscar Niño Romero via 12-round unanimous decision on June 19, 2010 at the Plaza de Toros in San Juan de Rio, Queretaro, Mexico.

Mayol came back strong from that setback, racking up four straight victories capped by an impressive fourth round TKO of Ernie Marquez on October 27 last year at the San Miguel Indian Casino in Highland, California.

"Fighting in Mexico is always a difficult challenge for me, but I have to be prepared and ready for everything. There's no turning back," said Mayol.

The good news for Mayol is that Marquez has fought and lost to Filipino fighters Nonito Donaire, Jr., now a four-division world champion, and Ritchie Mepranum.

But since his defeat to Donaire, the 23-year-old Marquez streaked to five straight wins, including a third round TKO of Mayol's compatriot Edrin Dapudong on July 2 last year in Sonora, Mexico. He last defended his throne with a masterful first round knockout of Luis Concepcion on October 29, 2011 also in Sonora. (FREEMAN)