Rising bantamweight Reymart Gaballo. Photo by Mark Giongco/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—Filipino bantamweight contender Reymart Gaballo will have his biggest test in his seven-year career when he faces former World champion Juan Carlos Payano.
In a RingTV.com report, MP Promotions president Sean Gibbons said that Gaballo could face Payano, a former WBA World bantamweight champion, in the next few months once Premier Boxing Champions resumes its operations.
Gaballo (23-0) has proven that he has power behind his right hand with already 20 knockouts under his name and 15 stoppages in his last 16 bouts.
The last time his fight went to the judges’ scorecards was in March 2018 when he defeated Stephon Young via unanimous decision for the interim WBA World bantamweight title.
Payano (21-3), meanwhile, is going to be Gaballo’s most experienced opponent to date. The 36-year-old from the Dominican Republic fought in four World title fights including his latest loss to Naoya Inoue, who now holds the WBA and IBF bantamweight championships.
“This will be a good fight for both of us. I will do everything I can to win the fight,” said Gaballo, 23, who is now based in Miami like Payano. “I know he is a veteran but I’ll do my best to win the fight.”
The Payano bout was originally targeted to take place in May for the undercard of Nonito Donaire-Nordine Oubaali WBC bantamweight title fight.
Gaballo has been in his training base in Miami with coach Osmiri “Moro” Fernandez along with stablemates Mike Plania and Mark Bernaldez in Sanman Productions.
“We did training every day because coach Moro looks out for us,” said Gaballo. “It’s a bit hard but not that much. We are far from our families but it’s ok because we can talk over the phone.”
Gibbons, who also handles Gaballo in some capacity, expressed his confidence with the young fighter whom he described as “good looking, charismatic, and can punch with an exciting style.”
“That is the Philippines’ next superstar,” said Gibbons.