Mayol, Batawang out to make impression in ‘Back on Track’

Cebuano ring stars Rodel “Batang Mandaue” Mayol and Bert “Ninja” Batawang both vowed to put up an impressive show of boxing finesse when they take on separate Thai foes in the “Back on Track” double main event card tomorrow night at the Cebu Coliseum.

Mayol (23-3, 18KOs), who will fight before hometown fans for the first time in six years, will battle Wisan Sor Suchanya (9-6-1) in a non-title bout scheduled for 10 rounds, while Batawang (51-7, 35KOs) squares off with Samransak Singmanassak (32-13-1, 26KOs) in a 12-round brawl for the WBO Oriental light flyweight championship.

“It’s been a long time that I haven’t fought here in Cebu and I’m very thankful to Sir Sammy (Gello-ani) for giving me this opportunity,” said Mayol during the news conference yesterday at the spacious penthouse of Hotel Fortuna.

“This fight will be my gauge if I still have what it takes to be a world champion someday or I should retire from boxing,” added the former OPBF minimumweight champion. “I know my opponent is tough, but I must knock him out to make an impression.”

For his part, Batawang was reluctant to predict a knockout saying that it will just come when opportunity presents itself.

“I can’t promise a knockout because we don’t know what happens in the ring. I’ll just try my best to come up with a good showing,” said Batawang.

Like Mayol, Batawang also lost by TKO in his bid to dethrone WBC light flyweight titlist Ulises Solis of Mexico, prompting international promoter Sammy Gello-ani to name his comeback venture in Cebu boxing promotion as “Back on Track.”

“This is just the beginning of several events that you will be witnessing in Cebu,” said Gello-ani. “We’re giving them (Mayol and Batawang) another chance because they’re part of Cebu boxing in the past. What makes me proud is that they took this promotion as a challenge for them to prove they are worthy of a second chance.”

In the equally-exciting supporting bouts, Former PBF flyweight champion Federico “Magnifico” Catubay (20-14-3) of SGG Stable will trade bombs with Brix Bomb Ray (6-3-1) of Davao’s Tony Dacer Stable, while Eric Macas (8-0, 5KOs) of Bong Yap Stable will risk his undefeated record against veteran slugger Pedro Malco (14-17-2) of Zamboanga City.

Also worth watching for is Chum Sedillo of Amlan, Negros Oriental, who will have his baptism of fire in the pro arena against Rosendo Navares of Ozamiz City. Sedillo holds an immaculate 23-0 record with all of his wins by knockout in the amateur ranks.

The rest of the undercards pit Roemart Sentillas (3-0) vs. Ed Earl Orellano (4-0-1), Roldan Castrodes (6-0) vs. Jerome Buntog (1-3-1), Rodel Adelmita (4-0) vs. Edzel Tuñacao (2-0-0), Ryan Tampus vs. Jerome Aguirre, and Ariel Adan vs. Arnel Dunal.

Tickets are priced at P50 for general admission, P100 for upper box, P250 for lower box, and P500 for ringside.