Mayol keeps world title after technical draw

(Update) The Philippines’ Rodel Mayol kept his World Boxing Council (WBC) light-flyweight title after his defense against rugged Mexican Omar Niño Romero ended in a controversial third-round technical draw Saturday at the Coliseo Olimpico de la UG in Guadalajara, Mexico. In a wild finish to an action-packed duel, Niño hit Mayol with a low blow in the third. Then, just as referee Vic Draculich was about to step in, the Mexican unleashed a left hook that knocked the defenseless Filipino champion out cold. A winded Mayol was taken out of the ring on a stretcher. The 27-year-old fighter from Manny Pacquiao’s MP Promotions stable was brought to the Military Regional Hospital in Gualajara and was thoroughly checked as a precaution, according to PhilBoxing.Com. "He's okay now," Dr. Ed de la Vega who acted as Mayol's cutman, reported. "Although he was hit hard on the jaw, there was no fracture in his jaw and his neck is fine. We are about to get back to our hotel from the hospital." Ring announcers initially declared Niño the winner by technical knockout. However, ring officials headed by WBC vice president Mauricio Sulaiman, after deliberating on the situation, ruled the fight a technical draw, allowing the LA-based Filipino to retain the crown he won last year via a second-round TKO of long-time Mexican titlist Edgar Sosa last November in Chiapas, Mexico. - GMANews.TV