22-0, 16 wins by KOs. Rodel Mayol was simply sensational He was then fighting in Indonesia, Mexico, Japan, Philippines and wherever he went, he won. He was a very good boxer with tremendous power on his fists. He moved very well around the ring and unleashed wicked body shots. I believed in him and thought it's just a matter of time before he becomes a world champion.
Rodel "Batang Mandaue" Mayol
He faced Eagle Kyowa, a Thai based on Japan for a world title. He was giving a good fight but when the fight went the distance, he was weakened and just like how a dying candle fades.. succumbed to the champion via a unanimous decision. He was even knocked down on the final round of that championship fight.
He rebounded with a first round KO in his next fight which was also held in Japan. The struggle in reaching the minimum weight limit of 105 was thought to be the culprit why he melt down against the Eagle. And true enough, on his move up to 108, he demolished Masatsugu Okada of Japan.
The Slide
And then faced Ulises Solis of Mexico for another crack at the title. Mayol's power rocked Solis. There was a knock down in the 6th round that was not called by the referee (perhaps a hometown dirty little trick), nevertheless, Solis got seriously hurt and brought Mayol so close to a championship belt. Unmoved, the heart of the Mexican champion awoke and brought Rodel crashing down to the canvas on the 8th. A TKO loss for Rodel.
The downward spiral turn did not stop there, Rodel got embarrassed by his next Mexican opponent, Adrian Hernandez. Another crushing knock out. This time, Hernandez only needed half the rounds that Solis took to demolish the Filipino.
Rising Up Again
Rodel Mayol went back home to the Philippines to reestablish his lost glory and start a come back path. He won back to back and was given another crack at a world title. With Freddie Roach now on Rodel's corner, the "Batang Mandaue" (Mandaue Kid) of Cebu, Philippines had a solid chance to live up to the expectations he had built from the start (22-0).
Mayol and his new coach, Freddie Roach
He used his considerable reach advantage and was able to connect power shots against the nifty little boxer from Puerto Rico, Ivan Calderon. Calderon is one of the best little boxers in the planet. Ivan won the 105 title and now holds a 108 championship belt. Calderon was also considered one of the 10-best pound-for-pound fighters on the world (regardless of weight).
Mayol appears to be winning the fight using his height and power advantage. He could have been a little more active and could have applied a little more pressure to bring the fight to the champion. However, considering his tendencies to weaken during the late stages of a fight, it could have been part of their strategy.
The fight did not go past the 6th round though. Ivan Calderon got cut from an accidental headbutt and was unable to continue. The rule says that if a fight is stopped due to a clash of heads beyond the 4th round, the fight will be decided by the judges' score cards. Judge Tony Paolillo scored it 56-58, Judge Tom Schreck 58-56 and Judge Steve Weisfeld 57-57. It was a split-draw. And since it was stopped by a headbutt, the official verdict is a Technical Draw, the belt remains with the champion.
Rematch
Mayol and Calderon fights for the WBO title, September 13, 2009
This Sunday, Rodel Mayol gets a rematch against Calderon in the champions hometown of Puerto Rico. It becomes doubly hard to win the title against any champion's turf. In Rodel's case, a total domination or a knock out could be his only way to snatch the title.
Rodel must be able to cut the ring against his smaller but faster opponent. He should not let Ivan box his way and get comfortable. He should land his body blows to slow down the champion and connect with his power punches to catch the attention of the judges in his favor. He must be fully prepared and not let his stamina problems be a factor on this fight.
Rodel should be a lot more active and throw everything he has got against Ivan. He has all the talent and potential to lift the championship belt and come out victorious. As we have learned so far though, talent and potential may not be enough. This is now or never for Rodel, it is just about time for his star to shine and join fellow current Filipino champions, Manny Pacquiao, Marvin Sonsona, Brian Viloria and Donnie Nietes. Or fade forever like a dying candle.
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