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Pacquiao fighter Mayol stops Sosa, wins title


(Updated 4:30 p.m.) Win some, lose some for Filipino boxers. On the same day that Marvin Sonsona lost his WBO super flyweight crown to the weighing scales in Canada, compatriot Rodel Mayol finally won a world title over in Mexico.
Rodel Mayol of the Philippines waves a flag in this file photo taken after his last fight with WBO mini-flyweight champion Ivan Calderon of Puerto Rico last June. AP
A fighter promoted by Manny Pacquiao’s MP Promotions, Mayol hacked out a second round technical knockout win over hometown bet Edgar Sosa Saturday in Chiappas, Mexico (Sunday in Manila) to wrest the WBC light-flyweight belt from the long-time champion. According to PhilBoxing.Com, Mayol sent Sosa into the canvas in the first round after an accidental head butt that resulted in a slight cut on Sosa's head. The Filipino again dropped the Mexican champion with a combo in the next stanza but Sosa beat the referee's count. Mayol unleashed a barrage of punches once more, forcing the referee to cut the fight short. Mayol finally hit paydirt on his fifth attempt at the world title. He 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, then settled for a six-round split technical draw with WBO mini-flyweight king Ivan Calderon of Puerto Rico last June and absorbed a seven-round split technical decision from Calderon last September. The 28-year-old Mayol hiked his record to 26-4-1 and 20 KOs, while ending Sosa's domination of Filipino challengers. Sosa (37-6, 21 KOs) beat Brian Viloria (majority decision) for the then vacant WBC crown in 2007 then thwarted Sonny Boy Jaro (unanimous decision) and Juanito Rubillar (seventh round TKO), both in 2008. "I finally got it! Thanks to God," Mayol was quoted in a report by PhilBoxing.com. The Mandaue-born, LA-based Mayol said he's open to a return engagement with Sosa. "He asked me for a rematch after the fight and I'll give it to him. But I'll have to talk to Manny first," he said, referring to his boss. Grateful for Pacquiao's support New champ Mayol achieved his feat exactly a week after his “promoter" Pacquiao grabbed his record seventh division crown at the expense of former WBO welterweight kingpin Miguel Cotto. "I would like to thank Manny Pacquiao for helping me and not losing faith in me," said Mayol, who was trained by Jessie Arevalo for the Sosa fight. Mayol’s upset win over Sosa, who had made 10 successful defense of the WBC 108-lb plum prior to the bout, made up for the unfortunate experience of erstwhile champion Sonsona in Canada. The 19-year-old Sonsona came in 2.6 lbs over the 115-lb limit for his first defense against Mexican Alejandro Hernandez, consequently getting himself stripped of the crown he won two months ago. The fight proceeded as scheduled Saturday in Canada (Sunday in Manila) with Sonsona engaging Hernandez in close fight that ended in a split draw. If it’s any consolation, Sonsona kept his win-loss-draw ring record clean at 14-0-1. He plans to move up two divisions higher for his next fight. Sonsona’s place in the Filipino roster of champions was thus replaced by Mayol, who joined Pacquiao, WBA interim super flyweight boss Nonito Donaire, Jr., IBF light flyweight ruler Viloria, and WBO miniumweight supremo Donnie Nietes in the elite club. - Olmin R. Leyba, GMANews.TV
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