MAYOL, A TRUE WORLD CHAMPION AND A TRUE FRIEND
By Rod Mijares, November 29, 2009The mark of a true world champion is in the character of a person and a boxer for that matter. Rodel Mayol, a Los Angeles based Filipino boxer, who has his share of heartaches in his quest for the elusive championship has finally relished the sweet aroma of his hard work and persistence.
Before, he has tried four times to topple the world boxing champions and four times he either lost or drew the fight. Where other promoters lost confidence in him, he found a savior in the living legend Manny Pacquiao, himself. He joined MP Promotions in August of 2007 and from thereon was training under the banner of the MP Promotions and at Wild Card Gym of legendary coach, Freddie Roach.
During his pre-fight press conference for his Cotto fight at the Beverly Hotel in Beverly Hills, California in October, Pacquiao convinced Mauricio Sulayman, the son of WBC President Jose Sulayman to give another crack for a championship fight for his protégé, Rodel Mayol. Pacquiao said, Mayol’s last defeat at the hands of WBO Light Flyweight champion Ivan Calderon in Puerto Rico last September 12, 2009 was not a true measure of Mayol’s capability as a champion-caliber boxer as the fight was held in Puerto Rico. Pacquiao said he has complete trust for Mayol that he is an exciting world class boxer, will be a future world champion and will bring honor to his country, as well.
As such, another chance was set and this was the opportunity that Mayol has been waiting for. On his fifth try, he won over the defending champion Mexican Edgar Sosa in convincing fashion in their WBC Light Flyweight Championship fight held on November 21, 2009 in Mexico via a 2nd round TKO.
“I am inspired that Manny won over Cotto and made history with a 7th championship belt in his 7th weight division a week before my fight. We trained at the same time at Wild Card Gym and he gave me pointers that I used during my fight. That is why I won,” Mayol said.
After winning the WBC world light flyweight championship, the first order of the day which is always in his mind is to visit his friend, Z Gorres, who is presently confined at University Medical Center in Las Vegas after an operation from brain injury. Z Gorres of ALA Boxing Promotions was a sure win in his very impressive fight last November 13, 2009 at the Mandalay Bay House of Blues in Las Vegas as he was leading in all 10 rounds before that fatal knockdown in the waning seconds of the 10th round when he was hit in the head. A true warrior he is, he was able to beat the count, held on to his opponent Colombian Luis Melendez and finished the 10th round. Gorres won on unanimous decision and posed for celebratory pictures embracing the Philippine flag before collapsing on his way out of the ring.
Today, Sunday in Las Vegas, a week after Mayol won the championship belt he travelled from California to Las Vegas along with his wife, Lira and son, Eizre Boyce Mayol; Rene “Best Friend” Espiritu and Jeremiah Quijano of Team Pacquiao and Fay Basquenas, a long time friend and supporter of Filipino boxers in Los Angeles to visit Z Gorres and pay their tribute personally.
“Nagpapasalamat ako sa Diyos at napakaligaya ko dahil nakita ko at nakausap si Z Gorres na gumaganda na ang kundisyon. Inaalay ko ang laban at championship belt ko sa kaniya,” (I am so thankful to God and I am happy that Z Gorres is already recovering. I am dedicating this fight and this championship belt to him), Mayol confided in me.
“Malaking bagay ang pagparito rito ni Mayol. Napakahalaga nito kay Z. Alam kong maligaya si Gorres sa pagbisita ni Mayol sa kaniya,” (It is a very big deal that Mayol come here. This is very important to Z. I know Gorres is very happy that Mayol visited him), Edito Villamor said. Edito is Z Gorres’ trainer and is taking care and looking after Z Gorres at UMC along with Tony Martin and Michael Aldeguer.
Mayol and Gorres are long time friends since their amateur days at the ALA Gym in Cebu City in the mid 90’s and when Mayol turned professional in 2000, Z Gorres followed in 2001 and both became championship caliber Filipino boxers.
With this kind gesture of Rodel Mayol, the current WBC World Light Flyweight Champion, he showed to his friend, Z Gorres, that he is not only a true world champion but a true friend, as well.
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