Photo: Sanman Boxing/Facebook

By Shawn De Guzman

Filipino contender Jayson Mama is taking on former world champion and Mexican Angel Ayala Lardizabal in a 10-round bantamweight bout in Mexico City on Friday.

Mama,  was once a world title challenger, aims to continue his rise back to the rankings against Ayala, who on the other hand, is making his debut to the bantamweight division.

The 29-year-old, who hails from General Santos City, made weight for the contest, tipping the scales at 117 pounds while Ayala came in a little lighter at 116lbs.

Mama was once a bright prospect for the country but lost against then reigning International Boxing Federation (IBF) world flyweight champion Sunny Edwards in 2021.

He recovered and won four straight fights from that loss but has now suffered two defeats and a draw in his last four bouts. He currently has a 21-3-1 record

Ayala, meanwhile, is coming off his first taste of defeat against Masamichi Yabuki to yield his World Boxing Council (WBC) world flyweight crown. 

The former Mexican champion, however, isn’t stranger to fighting Filipinos having fought and took down previously undefeated Filipino Dave Apolinario. Ayala has a record of 18-1.