Dela Hoya: "Megafight is almost a done deal" -- Manila Bulletin

By NICK GIONGCO, Manila Bulletin

In a shocking revelation, Oscar De La Hoya, whose promotional outfit represents Floyd Mayweather Jr. in the negotiations to stage a November 13 fight with Manny Pacquiao, told the Spanish TV station Univision that the superfight is close to being done.

"Up until now, it’s been a very difficult negotiation process for various reasons but right now we’re very close,” De La Hoya said in Spanish and translated by fight scribe John Chavez of boxingtruth.com.

The interview took place before the Game Four of the NBA Finals at Staples Center in Los Angeles and De La Hoya, who heads Golden Boy Promotions (GBP), added that “we’re very close in finalizing the contracts that were once very complicated.”

Since there is no other fight to make but pit Pacquiao and Mayweather together, De La Hoya said “the two fighters now realize that this fight must be made.”

“It has to be made because the boxing fans want to see it happen and right now it’s the biggest fight that can be made in the world,” said De La Hoya, who lost to Mayweather by decision in 2007 and to Pacquiao when he quit on his stool in 2008.

“I think right now we are very, very close in finalizing the contracts. I can’t talk right now in detail about the negotiations but I will say that we are very close,” added De La Hoya.

The past several weeks, the camps of Pacquiao and Mayweather have been mum about the status of talks regarding the fight.

The issue of random drug-testing and purse split are the talking points in the negotiations.

Source: mb.com.ph

Q & A with Rodel Mayol -- 15Rounds

By Anson Wainwright, 15Rounds.com

In the last year Rodel Mayol 26-4-2(20) has been involved in a career’s worth of controversial endings. His last four fights to be exact all World title fights have had unsatisfactory conclusions. First he fought Ivan Calderon for the WBO 108 crown it was his third attempt at a world title, the fight was stopped due to a terrible cut on Calderon’s forehead. It went to the scorecards and after six completed rounds it was declared a draw. Mayol’s gutsy display earned him a straight rematch, incredibly the same cut was again opened up on Calderon’s forehead. With the fight stopped in the seventh it was again it was in the hands of the judges who scored it narrowly for Calderon. Finally things went in Mayol’s favour last November when he beat long reigning WBC Light Flyweight champion Edgar Sosa. Midway through the second stanza the two fighters clashed heads violently, Sosa was badly hurt and dropped. He was ultimately stopped and left with a broken cheek bone. While many believed it should of been declared a No Contest the referee missed it and declared Mayol the victor. Last time out he fought another Mexican Omar Nino. In the third round when they were separated from a clinch and Nino cold cocked Mayol knocking him out, with the fight declared a technical draw. On 19 June they will have a rematch again in Mexico, here’s to hoping we can have a conclusive result without a hint of controversy this time.

Hello Rodel, welcome to 15rounds.com

Hi Anson, thank you for taking time to interview me. I appreciate it.

Anson Wainwright - Firstly your scheduled to make the second defence of your WBC Light Flyweight title against Omar Nino on 19 June in Mexico. You fought in February but the fight was called a no contest after you were hit late. What is your take on what happened?

Rodel Mayol - Regarding the decision on my last defence against Nino, I would sincerely would want it a disqualification for Nino if it was me to decide. Since it was what WBC has decided- I fully respect and accept it.

Anson Wainwright - Your last 4 fights have ended strangely the two with Calderon had unsatisfactory ending due to cuts and so did the Edgar Sosa fight. What are your thoughts on both Calderon fights and then the Sosa fight?

Rodel Mayol - Strange as it maybe, but these bouts are the only bouts I have ever encountered headbutts in my list of bouts. I guess it is due to clash of boxing styles between them and me. But I would like to stress out that all of these headbutts have been unintentional.

Anson Wainwright - Who is in your team. Who is your manager, trainer & promoter? Also what gym do you train at?

Rodel Mayol - My coach is Jesus Arevalo. He is Freddie Roach’s assistant coach in WILDCARD GYM. Jeremiah Quijano my long-time and trusted friend is also my assistant coach. My cutman is Dr. Edgardo dela Vega. My team is small but they are very loyal and supportive to me in any way I could ask for. My manager is Mr. Manny Pacquiao and I am under MP Promotions and Top Rank.

Anson Wainwright - Could you tell us how things were for you when you were young growing up in The Philippines and how it took you into Boxing?

Rodel Mayol - It all started with my love of basketball. I never knew that I be a boxer out of it and become who I am right now.

I had a fight with a fellow player that made a bully out of me. I was beaten since I am a small boy. I lived very close by a neighbouring boxing gym, so I trained to take revenge and beat the guy in the future when we meet again. I never had the chance to beat him-I ended up being busy in boxing.

Anson Wainwright - You turned pro in 2000 and for several years looked like you may not win a World title coming up short against Eagle Kyowa & Ulises Solis & then the two fights with Ivan Calderon. How did it feel to finally win the title against Sosa?

Rodel Mayol - Every boxer wants to be a champion. I think that is the ultimate goal you need to achieve to be successful and happy in this career. I have been on a very long journey. But perseverance, hard work, love of the sport and having the heart of a champion is what it takes to bring you into this position. Sosa fight maybe the perfect timing for me- and I have been very patient and I never gave up. The defeats and heartbreaks I encountered in the shortcoming of my previous world title bouts made me stronger.

Anson Wainwright - You have fought many very talented fighters who do you feel was your toughest opponent?

Rodel Mayol - It would be Ulises Solis.

Anson Wainwright - What do you consider your best performance and why?

Rodel Mayol - I would say it was my fight with Edgar Sosa. Nobody believed me at that time any longer. I guess just got tired believing. It was the perfect timing, I was in the best condition in my entire career, and i shocked everybody.

Anson Wainwright - If you could fight anyone who would it be? What goals do you still have in Boxing?

Rodel Mayol - I do not have preference on who. But I would love to fight big names in my weight division. I intend to keep the WBC belt and defend it whatever it takes. And if God gives me more blessings, I would love to collect other belts as well.

Anson Wainwright - What do you like to do with time when your not Boxing? what are your hobbies?

Rodel Mayol - I love to go fishing. It gives me a lot of time to relax, enjoy and time to think. It has also helped me build patience and perseverance. Other than that, I spend my time with my family and friends.

Anson Wainwright - Recently Manny Pacquiao won the race to congress in The Philippines. That is a fantastic achievement. What are your thoughts on that?

Rodel Mayol - I am very happy for his success. He deserves all of it. Because of Manny, boxers especially in the Philippines has been given a higher elevation in society. Boxers are intelligent - -not mere brawlers in the ring.

Anson Wainwright - Do you have a message for Omar Nino?

Rodel Mayol - I am excited to defend my WBC belt against him the 2nd time around and I have no plan in letting anyone borrow my belt (LOL!)

Thanks for your time Rodel, good luck in your upcoming fight.

Source: 15rounds.com