Another world champ on the way

Following in Manny Pacquiao’s footsteps, Oriental champion Rodel Mayol of Mandaue bravely invaded Mexico’s heartland and knocked out Erik Morales’ protégé Lorenzo Trejo of Tijuana in a World Boxing Council (WBC) minimumweight title eliminator in Cancun last Saturday night (yesterday morning, Manila).

The climax came at 2:29 of the fourth round after Mayol landed a vicious uppercut that sent Trejo down for the full count. Mayol started strong and decked Trejo in the first round to set the tone for the match.

It was another nightmarish ending for Mexican boxing. Only a week ago, Pacquiao halted Morales-the Mexican legend known as "El Terrible"-in the 10th round and Jimrex Jaca of Negros Oriental disposed of Mexican Geronimo Hernandez in less than three minutes on the same Las Vegas card.

Games and Amusements Board (GAB) chairman and member of the WBC Board of Governors Eric Buhain watched Mayol trounce Trejo at ringside and said the future couldn’t be brighter for Philippine boxing. Buhain was also at ringside when Pacquiao and Jaca won.

"Imagine two possible WBC champs this year and we’re only in January," said Buhain.

"Rodel will be back home after Malcolm Tunacao fights on Feb. 5 in Japan. Then, they’ll return together. Trejo was really hit. He folded up quite badly. I was personally worried. During the awarding, he was sitting still in his corner, unaware of what was happening. But I’m happy he’s now up and about. Rodel is a very bright prospect for Philippine pro boxing and a future world champion."

On overseas phone, Mayol said, "Kundisyon po ako talaga at alam ko mananalo ako...para po sa bayan ang panalo ko at sisikapin ko makuha ang titulo...nagpapasalamat ako sa mga sumuporta sa akin, lalo na kay Chairman Buhain na hindi ako pinabayaan sa Mexico."

It was Mayol’s first fight in 10 months. His inactivity was caused by a widespread reluctance of opponents to face him.

Morales canceled plans of showing up in Cancun to recover from the beating he absorbed from Pacquiao. Aside from Trejo, another Morales fighter Jackie Nava was on the card to face Kelsie Jeffries for the women’s title. Morales manages some 30 Mexican fighters, including Trejo and Nava.

Buhain will arrive in Manila on Feb. 6. He will welcome Mayol and Tunacao at the airport when they land on Feb. 10.

Pacquiao’s win over Morales earned a mandatory shot at the WBC superfeatherweight crown held by Marco Antonio Barrera. Mayol’s victory also lined himself up for a mandatory crack at the WBC 105-pound title held by Tokyo-based Thai Den Janlaphan, known as Eagle Kyowa.

There is no doubt as to Mayol’s championship caliber. Since turning pro in 2000, the two-time Palarong Pambansa gold medalist has compiled a 22-0 record, with 17 KOs. Mayol won the Philippine title in only his fourth pro outing and wrested the Oriental crown on a first round stoppage of Genki Ohnaka in Tokuyama in 2003. He has figured in six overseas fights so far and was never threatened.

Mayol, 24, is managed by Japanese businessman Yasuo Mastsuoka whose wife Gina is a Filipina. The oldest of five children, he was managed by Tony Aldeguer and Terry Carter before joining Matsuoka’s stable.

Mayol’s father Rodrigo and mother Leonisa Generalao split up eight years ago. His father, who has four children with a second wife, used to be a tricycle driver and is jobless in Mandaue. His mother now lives in Malolos with a jeepney driver.

When Mayol was in Grade 3 at the Mandaue City Central School, he knocked out a campus bully-bigger and three years older-with a single blow. But it wasn’t until he was 15 that he began seriously training as an amateur fighter under Brix Flores.

In August 2003, Mayol married Liza Mendoza. A few days later, his bride gave birth to their first-born, a son named Eizre.

Only four fighters have survived the distance with Mayol and none came close to upsetting the 5-4 prospect nicknamed "Batang Mandaue." Last April, he scored a unanimous 12-round decision over Takayuki Korogi in Osaka as the three judges Bruce McTavish, Hiroyoshi Yasuda and Bill Clancy scored it identical 120-107 shutouts.

Trejo, 28, had won his last eight fights before losing to Mayol. His record is now 24-13, with 11 KOs.

Kyowa, 27, is on his second reign as WBC champion. Last Jan. 9, he stopped Ken Nakajima to retain the crown. Kyowa’s record is 15-1, with six KOs, and his only loss was a fourth round technical knockout to Isaac Bustos after he injured his right shoulder two years ago. His Filipino victims are Elmer Gejon, Fabio Marfa and Noel Tunacao.