Third time’s a charm for world title prospect Mayol?

MANILA, Philippines - Will the third time be a charm for Filipino world title prospect Rodel Mayol? The 27-year-old fighter is set to challenge champ Ivan Calderon for the World Boxing Organization light-flyweight belt on June 13 at the Madison Square Garden - his third attempt at the world crown - and Mayol feels good about his chances now. Interviewed Tuesday on the radio program Sports Chat with Dennis Principe on DZSR, Mayol reported that his training camp at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles has been doing great. “Malaki ang tsansa ko kasi ngayon eksakto ako sa training, magandang maganda ang kundisyon kesa doon sa mga huling laban ko," said the LA-based Mayol (25-3-0, 19 KOs), who’s also being helped in training by Manny Pacquiao’s buddy and trainer Buboy Fernandez. Puerto Rican Calderon, who’s making his fourth title defense and first outing since suffering from a lacerated forehead in his August 2008 defense against Hugo Fidel Cazares, is undefeated in 32 fights with only six KOs to his name. “Hindi siya (Calderon) gaano malakas, puro puntos lang kaya kailangan naming maunahan siya," opined Mayol, who sparred with bigger Armenian and Puerto Rican fighters to approximate Calderon’s size and “dancing style." This will be his third crack at the world title after unsuccessful tries in 2006, losing a controversial decision to WBC minimumweight king Eagle Den Junlaphan, and in 2007, getting knocked out in eight by ex-IBF 108-lb holder Ulises Solis. He vowed to go all out this time. “Huling chance ko na siguro ito na magkaroon ng title fight kaya pagbubutihin ko talaga at gagawin ko ang lahat," he said. Mayol claimed he had learned lessons from his previous failures, especially against Solis whom he staggered early on only to run out of gas to finish off the Mexican. “Charge to experience na lang kung bakit natalo noon at kung anong pagkakamali. Sa third time sana swertehin na tayo at makuha na ang titulo," he said, citing insufficient training as the primary reason for his downfall. But now, he had a great training camp and more important, he gets valuable support from Pacquiao, who even lent Fernandez for his buildup. And the Pacman will provide an added inspiration come fight night as he and Roach are set to be at the venue to also watch the main bout between Pacquiao's prospective foe Miguel Cotto and Joshua Clottey. Mayol is seeking to join the elite roster of Filipino champions that include WBO light-welterweight king Pacquiao, IBF flyweight titlist Nonito Donaire, Jr. and IBF light-flyweight supremo Brian Viloria. – GMANews.TV