Pinoy pug captures OPBF title

Looking like a scaled-down version of Manny Pacquiao, hard-hitting Rodel Mayol captured the Orient and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) minimumweight title via a first round knockout over defending champion Genki Ohnaka of Japan at the Tokuyama University gym in Yamaguchi, a three-hour car ride from Fukuoka, last Sunday afternoon.

Mayol, 22, came out smoking at the opening bell in typical Pacquiao style and threw caution to the wind as he attacked Ohnaka with both fists flailing. Ohnaka never knew what hit him. It was like he was struck by a thunderbolt. Mayol threw a vicious left-right combination that sent the flustered Japanese down for the count at the 2:45 mark.

Joy Ouano, who inked Mayol to a five-year renewal of his Stonewall stable contract and paid a signing bonus of $10,000 last week, phoned The Star yesterday morning from Yamaguchi to report the stunning victory.

Mayol, Ouano, trainer Carl Penalosa Jr. and fight judge Salven Lagumbay arrived from Japan last night.

Mayol’s management team is made up of Ouano representing Terry Carter, Japanese impresario Akihiko Honda and matchmaker Joe Koizumi. Carter, a former US Green Beret, lives in Lilo-an, Cebu, where the Stonewall fighters train. Mayol’s stablemates include world-rated contenders Marvin Tampus, Wyndel Janiola and Noel Tunacao.

Ouano said Koizumi indicated plans for Mayol to defend the OPBF crown in Japan in April or May preparatory to a crack at the World Boxing Council (WBC) championship.

"It was an easy win," said Ouano. "Rodel was confident and in 100 percent condition. You could see in Ohnaka’s eyes that he was afraid of Rodel. Ohnaka never wanted to fight Rodel and even offered to pay a step-aside fee to avoid defending against him. Finally, Joe convinced Ohnaka to fight Rodel after several delays."

Mayol earned $4,000 for the workout. Ouano said his management team will not share in the purse. "Rodel worked hard for it–he deserves every penny," said Ouano.

The win raised Mayol’s unblemished record to 15-0, with 12 KOs. It was his second assignment in Japan. Two years ago, he scored a six-round decision over Ken Nakajima in Takasago. Nakahima is one of only three fighters to survive the distance with Mayol–the others are Nino Suelo and Isidro Lorona.

The loss dropped Ohnaka’s record to 13-3-1, with six KOs. He won the vacant OPBF minimumweight title on a decision over Ki Moon Nah in Horishima last July.

Thai matchmaker Narong Hengtrakul recently said there’s no doubt in his mind that Mayol will become the next Ricardo Lopez and rule the 105-pound division. Lopez, a Mexican, reigned as WBC minimumweight titlist for eight years. Narong was at ringside when Mayol pulverized Namchai Thaksin-Isaru at 2:55 of the second round in Ormoc last September. Namchai was decked once in the first round and twice in the second.

Cebu-based businessman Tony Aldeguer discovered Mayol and gave him his first break as a pro. Mayol married Liva Mendoza last Aug. 18 and four days later, his bride gave birth to their first-born Eizre.