MANILA, Philippines – Rodel Mayol can count on a very influential backer in his bid to get a rematch with World Boxing Organization light-flyweight champ Ivan Calderon.
No less than pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao is backing a Mayol-Calderon II after the two fought to a six-round technical draw last Saturday in New York (Sunday in Manila), according to Mayol’s trainer, Buboy Fernandez.
“Sinusuportahan ng idolo nating si Manny Pacquiao ang paghingi natin ng rematch. Sabi niya, hayaan ninyo, ine-negotiate natin," Fernandez said Monday in a phone interview on the DZSR program Sports Chat with Dennis Principe.
Mayol is fighting under the stable of Pacquiao’s MP Promotions and with the "Pacman" working on it, Fernandez is confident the 27-year-old Mayol would get a second go at Calderon.
“Sana nga magka-rematch, laban tayo kahit saan, hindi kami natatakot basta fair play lang," Fernandez said.
The Mayol-Calderon fight was stopped in the sixth stanza due to a cut on the champ’s forehead, caused by a constant accidental clash of heads. Two judges were split on Mayol and Calderon while the third saw it even, allowing the pride of Puerto Rico to retain his crown.
Fernandez couldn’t believe how the ring officials decided to halt the fight, saying Calderon’s cut was not severe enough to merit a stoppage.
“Masyadong maliit yung sugat para ihinto. Yung ibang fighters nga sarado na ang mata tuloy pa rin ang laban yun pa kaya na kay liit liit," he lamented.
Fernandez said even Pacquiao, who witnessed the fight from his ringside seat, was surprised with the way the bout ended.
“Talagang lahat kami nagulat, pati si Manny, kasi hindi namin akalain na iyon ang gagawing desisyon. Bakit bigla na lang hininto yung laban, hindi naman reasonable na ihinto dahil masyadong maliit yung sugat at sa suntok naman galing," he said.
Nonetheless, Fernandez said the Mayol camp accepts the fact that the crown has eluded the US-based prospect again.
“Magsikap pa uli, lalo pa natin pagbutihin sa training, siguro sa susunod makuha na natin," said the trainer, noting how Mayol had tremendously improved his defense and footwork while preparing for Calderon.
Prior to drawing with Calderon, Mayol had previously vied for the world title twice, losing to WBC minimumweight king Eagle Den Junlaphan via decision in 2006 and to IBF light-flyweight holder Ulises Solis via KO in 2007. - GMANews.TV
