Mayol hopes to settle score vs old foe Romero

Rodel Mayol hopes to settle an unfinished business with Omar Niño Romero as the two get it on again for the second time this year for the World Boxing Council (WBC) flyweight title. The 12-round rematch is set on Saturday (Sunday in Manila) at the Site Bullring Exhibitor in San Juan Del Rio, Mexico.

The two first fought in February in a title fight that ended in a controversial third round technical draw. During that February 27 match in Guadalajara, Mexico, Romero hit Mayol with a low blow during an exchange in the third round, and while the reigning champion was waiting for the referee to step in, the Mexican threw a left hook on the Filipino that knocked him out cold. Mayol was later carried out of the ring on a stretcher amidst the frenzy in Romero's corner. But the celebration turned out to be premature as WBC officials deliberated on the matter and declared the fight a technical draw, allowing Mayol to retain his title belt. This time, Mayol is making sure he'll emerge as the clear winner. "I feel very strong and I'm sure that I will clearly beat (Romero)," said the 28-year old champion, a native of Mandaue, Cebu but now resides in Los Angeles, California. Wearing a ripped-off short that has the words "Viva Mexico" printed on it, Mayol easily tipped the scale at 108 pounds during Friday’s official weigh-in held outdoors just beside an old Catholic church. Romero also came in at 108 pounds, but obviously struggled to make the weight limit. "All is well," he said later. "I'll recover a bit and go tomorrow to recover what is mine. This belt will remain here and Mayol will return to the Philippines with empty hands." "I just want to knock Rodel Mayol out." Mayol will be making his second title defense, which he won via a second round technical knockout of Edgar Sosa last November. He has a 26-4 record with 20 knockouts. Romero, 34, is 28-3 with 11 KOs. He is best remembered as the conqueror of Filipino champion Brian Viloria and Juanito Rubillar. – JVP, GMANews.TV