01.08.07 – By Joshua “Travz” Travilla: While Erik Morales and David Diaz are collectively taking on most of the front page headlines in the boxing news this Saturday, few have mentioned the fight on the undercard between Rodel “Batang Mandaue” Mayol (23-1-0-18) against seasoned champion, Ulises “Archie” Solis (24-1-2-18), whom the boxing world widely considers as one of the finest light flyweight champion of the world today.
Both fighters are positive about the outcome of the fight due to the fact that they both are coming off sensational knockout wins respectively in their recent fights. Mayol defeated the unknown Masatsugu Okada of Japan via first round stoppage, on September 18, 2006, while Solis destroyed Jose Antonio Aguirre, a former long time WBC minimumweight king, via 9th round stoppage on May 19, 2007, as he methodically blasted him apart with a solid combinations. During the bout, Mayol knocked Aguirre down twice in the fourth round, courtesy of some wicked combinations.
Mayol’s only loss was in the hands of Japan based Thai lander, Eagle Kyowa for the WBC minimumweight championship, on May 6, 2006, losing by a 12-round unanimous decision. For his part, Solis suffered his first setback via majority decision to Nelson Dieppa, for the WBO light flyweight championship, on July 30, 2004.
In terms of quality fights, Solis has got an excellent resume compared to Mayol. However, Solis mustn’t take the challenger for granted because the native of Mandaue City, Philippines, has excellent power and blinding speed, more than enough to pull off an upset if Solis gets careless. Mayol can pull off surprises, for instance, like what he did to Lorenzo Trejo, who absorbed a fourth round TKO in front of his countrymen in Plaza de Toros, in Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mexico for the WBC minumumweight eliminator, on January 28, 2006.
Mayol doesn’t have much chance at beating Solis, to put things bluntly. While his power and speed are impressive, Solis is much to tough for Mayol, and should take him out before the distance. However, if Solis takes Mayol lightly, the fight can go the other way, as Solis isn’t that much better than he can afford to take it easy.