Mobile Alerts  Newsletter  Archives  About Us  Advertise with Us Twitter GMANews.TV Facebook GMANews.TV RSS GMANews.TV
Sports

Mayol’s title bid thwarted anew by Calderon

The world title remains elusive to Filipino prospect Rodel Mayol.

For the second time, Mayol fell short in his title bid against Ivan Calderon as the unbeaten Puerto Rican WBO light flyweight champion escaped with a split technical decision in their rematch Saturday in San Juan, Puerto Rico (Sunday in Manila).

According to FightNews.com, a clash of heads between the Manny Pacquiao-promoted Mayol and the often-cut Calderon prematurely ended the fight in the seventh round.

Only one judge gave the fight to the Freddie Roach-trained Mayol, 68-65, while the two other judges handed it to the hometown bet Calderon via identical 68-65 scores.

Rodel Mayol, right, and WBO light flyweight champion Ivan Calderon while promoting their title fight. Jose Perez/PR Best Boxing Promotions
It was more or less a repeat of their first abbreviated showdown last June when Calderon got cut after head clashes and escaped with the crown after judges called it a split technical draw after six rounds.

In their rematch, Mayol stuck to his game plan of constantly pressuring Calderon but the Puerto Rican champ was bent on effectively counter-punching.

“I want people to understand that Mayol is a much different fighter than (former challenger) Hugo Cazares," Calderon, who suffered a cut on his forehead, was quoted by FightNews.com after the fight. “He is very intelligent with his game plan. He made me work extremely hard to earn this victory. I have a lot of respect for him."

This was the fourth crack at the world title for Mayol, who previously lost to WBC minimumweight king Eagle Den Junlaphan via decision in 2006 and to IBF light-flyweight holder Ulises Solis via KO in 2007 before his two heartaches against Calderon.

"Iron Boy" Calderon improved to 33-0-1, with 6 KOs, while Mayol dropped to 25-4-1 (19 KOs).
- GMANews.TV
Other Sports stories
TNT Texters to protest hefty fine for walkout
02/09/2010 | 08:36 PM
Deposed Philippine Cup champion Talk 'N Text is set to protest the hefty amount - over P1 million - the team was slapped with for walking out of and forfeiting Game 4 of its quarterfinal game... More
Ginebra Kings look to topple top seed Aces next
02/09/2010 | 07:28 PM
After eliminating defending champion Talk 'N Text, Barangay Ginebra now faces no less than the top seed team of the KFC-PBA Philippine Cup, Alaska Aces. More
Patriots confident of winning ABL crown
02/09/2010 | 06:54 PM
The Philippine Patriots have no doubt in their minds that they will romp off with the 1st ASEAN Basketball League title. More
Rizal Memorial football field up for renovation
02/09/2010 | 06:18 PM
The Philippine Sports Commission and De La Salle will renovate the 76-year-old football field at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in hopes of "reliving the glory days of football" in the country. More
Talk ‘N Text fined over P1M for walkout vs Ginebra
02/09/2010 | 03:41 PM
The walkout staged by Talk N’ Text that marred Game 4 of its PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinal match-up with Barangay Ginebra last Friday cost the Tropang Texters over P1 million in penalty. More
Lakers beat Spurs without Bryant, Bynum
02/09/2010 | 02:29 PM
LOS ANGELES — Pau Gasol had 21 points and 19 rebounds to lead five players in double figures, and the Los Angeles Lakers beat the San Antonio Spurs 101-89 Monday night without injured Kobe Bryant... More
Sampras loses to Verdasco in exhibition match
02/09/2010 | 01:59 PM
SAN JOSE, California — Former No. 1 Pete Sampras showed glimpses of his dominating best against a top player 12 years his junior in the second set of his 6-3, 7-6 (2) exhibition loss to... More
Utah-based Pinay golfer sets eyes on RP team, LPGA
02/09/2010 | 01:04 PM
Filipina Nyomy Jaycee Obcemea is what you may consider a late bloomer in golf. She started whacking the dimpled ball only more than a year ago and, yet, she finished the 2009 season ranked first in... More
Carter fires 48 as Magic sting Hornets
02/09/2010 | 12:33 PM
ORLANDO, Fla. — Vince Carter had a season-high 48 points, leading the Orlando Magic back from a 17-point second-half deficit to beat the New Orleans Hornets 123-117 on Monday night. More
Roach cuts down on Pacquiao’s sparring
02/09/2010 | 12:14 PM
Filipino ring icon Manny Pacquiao is not too far off his top fighting shape that trainer Freddie Roach will cut down on his sparring sessions in his preparations for his March 13 duel with Joshua... More
ADVERTISEMENT