Mayol stays busy before title fight

BEFORE another crack at a world title, Rodel Mayol keeps himself busy as he sees action two months from now in a tune-up fight in Baguio.

Mayol, the former World Boxing Council light flyweight titleholder, takes on Mexican Jose Alfredo Tirado in the City of Pines on Sept. 22.

"This is an activity fight for me," said the 30-year-old Cebuano. "I can already fight for a world championship at any time."

Tirado is a 32-year-old veteran that has fought some renowned names like Z Gorres, Diosdado Gabi, Victor Proa, Luis Maldonado, Raul Martinez and Cristian Mijares. He has a record of 27-11 with 19 knockouts.

Mayol said he is being groomed to fight the winner of the Brian Viloria and Hernan "Tyson" Marquez unification bout on Sept. 29 at the Home Depot Center in California, putting him in the mix along with unbeaten Milan Melindo, who is also hoping to challenge the winner of that fight.

"It depends on who will win between ‘Tyson’ and Viloria. I'm willing to fight Viloria if it is for a world championship," he said.

Mayol last fought in the same event as Viloria's last fight in March. Both Filipino warriors won their fights, and Mayol scored an impressive unanimous decision over former world champion Julio Cesar Miranda, while Viloria stopped longtime rival Omar Nino Romero in the ninth.

Whether it will be Viloria or Marquez, Mayol is convinced that he will fare well against either and that it is his time to become a world champion once again.

"I think I have a huge chance of winning against either one because their styles fit mine and I'm at the peak of my career."