Monday, May 05, 2008 Mayol, Batawang stop foes in Back on Track
GETTING back on track came sweet and swift for Rodel “Batang Mandaue” Mayol and Bert “Ninja” Batawang as they disposed their Thai opponents in the early rounds of their double header main event of the “Back on Track” at the Cebu Coliseum last Saturday night.
Batawang (52-7,36 KOs) was in for a tough fight as he faced the hard-hitting Samransak Singmanassak (32-18-1) before stopping the Thai in the fourth round of their 12 round title bout for the World Boxing Organization Oriental light flyweight crown.
After furious exchanges in the first three rounds, the 36-year-old Batawang got clear look at his opponent and capitalized with a heavy right that landed straight into the Thai’s jaw and knocked him out.
Singmanassak tried to get up before the count was up but he was still dazed and fell back to the mat again.
Singmanassak also managed to hurt Batawang in the third round.
“He was a tough opponent. I got hurt by his punch in the third round,” said Batawang after winning the WBO Oriental light flyweight belt.
Batawang is thankful to Sammy Gello-ani for believing in him and giving him a shot even if he failed in his title shot against IBF light flyweight king Ulises Solis.
“I thank my manager for giving me a title fight. I was promised that next time I will be given a world title fight,” told Batawang.
WBC super featherweight champion Manny Pacquiao went to the ring to congratulate Batawang, while WBO Asia-Pacific chairman Leon Panoncillo Jr. gave him the the belt.
Meanwhile Mayol (24-3,19 KOs) was equally impressive as Batawang as he manhandled Wisan Sor Suchanya (9-6-1) with a 5th round TKO victory.
Mayol stopped Suchanya with a flurry of punches. Even if Suchanya was still on his feet, the referee stopped the fight in the 2:32 mark to prevent the Thai from getting more hurt.
Mayol beautifully used his jabs to open up for his three-punch combinations, showing the visitor was clearly no match as he dominated the fight most of the time.
Pacquiao was impressed with Mayol’s performance and believes that he has the talent to become a future world champion like him. (EKA)
