Mayol New WBC Light Fly Champ By: James U. Sy Jr.

Rodel Bryan Generalao “Batang Mandaue” Mayol (B: 1981) of Mandaue City, Cebu,Philippines dethroned defending World Boxing Council (WBC) light flyweight champion Edgar Alejandro Sosa (B: 1979) of Mexico via 2nd round TKO last November 22, 2009 (the 23rd in manila) at the Palenque de la Feria, Chiapas, Mexico.

Mayol became the second Filipino to win a world western boxing title within the week after Emmanuel “Manny” Dapidran Pacquiao of General Santos defeated defending champion Miguel Cotto of Puerto Rico for the WBO welterweight title last November 14, 2009.

An accidental headbutt caused Sosa to fall to the canvas and open a cut above his cheek. The referee deducted a point from Mayol. Sosa was later hospitalized for the fractured cheekbone. Sosa said, “The only way Rodel Mayol could beat me was by intentionally fouling me. He should have been disqualified.” The camp of the Mexican boxer will be filing a protest with the WBC to change the decision to a no contest.

This was the fifth attempt by Mayol for a world title and the first successful one. Mayol improved to 26-4-1 20 KO; Sosa fell to 37-6 21 KO. Mayol was a 5 times Philippine amateur boxing champion before turning pro and joining the ALA Gym.

Sosa won the WBC light flyweight crown by beating then champion Brian Viloria via unanimous decision on April 14, 2007. He successfully defended his title eight times, the last one against Porsawan Popramook which he won via 4th round TKO on April 4, 2009.

Meanwhile, undefeated “Marvelous” Marvin Sonsona of General Santos, 19, vacated his World Boxing Organization (WBO) junior bantamweight crown after failing to make the weight for his bout against Alejandro “Payasito” Hernandez. Sonsona weighed 117.6 lbs. on the day of the fight, exceeding the weight limit of 115 lbs. Hernandez was exactly 115 lbs.

The match, which was held on November 22, 2009 in Canada, ended in a draw and the championship was still vacant. The judges scored the fight 115-113, 113-115, 114-114. Sonsona is now 14-0-1 12 KO; Hernandez is 22-7-2 11 KO.