CEBUANO world champion Rodel Mayol is up for another tough task as he defends his World Boxing Council (WBC) light flyweight crown in Mexico against local warrior Omar Niño Romero on Feb. 27.
After finally becoming a world champion last Nov. 21 by beating Mexican Edgar Sosa in Mexico via a second round stoppage, Mayol will be attempting a difficult feat by beating two Mexican fighters in back-to-back world title fights.
The only other Filipino to achieve this almost impossible accomplishment was World Boxing Organization (WBO) mini-flyweight champion Donnie Nietes, who won both of his world title defenses against Erik Ramirez and Manuel Vargas, both by decision.
The 33-year-old Romero has an impressive record of 28 wins, three losses and a draw with 11 knockouts. He is ranked No.1 in the WBC and the WBO, and fourth in the International Boxing Federation (IBF) as a light flyweight.
Romero is famous for snatching the WBC light flyweight title from Filipino world champion Brian Viloria by a unanimous decision victory in 2006. However, he lost the title after failing a post-fight drug test in his rematch with Viloria later that year. Romero also owns victories over Sosa, former world titlist Jorge Arce and Filipino veteran journeyman Juanito Rubillar.
It took the 28-year-old Mayol five world title attempts before winning a world championship.
His first title shot was when he was still an undefeated title contender in 2006 against then WBC strawweight champion Eagle Kyowa in Japan, but he lost via a unanimous decision against the hometown hero.
After a year, Mayol fought for the IBF title but also failed after being stopped in the fourth round by Ulises Solis.