Gaballo replaces Donaire in clash vs Rodriguez

FILE –Rising bantamweight Reymart Gaballo. Photo by Mark Giongco/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—Reymart Gaballo has replaced Nonito Donaire in facing Emmanuel Rodriguez for the interim WBC World bantamweight title on December 19.

According to The Ring Magazine, Gaballo was bumped to the main event of the Showtime Championship Boxing card and is set to face Rodriguez after Donaire pulled out of the fight as he tested positive for COVID-19.

The title was downgraded to interim from the full championship that was originally at stake for the Donaire-Rodriguez bout.

Interestingly, Gaballo (23-0, 20 knockouts) is the fourth fighter in this picture after Nordine Oubaali, the original WBC bantamweight champion, pulled out of the fight against Donaire after he tested positive for COVID-19.

The WBC then named Oubaali as “champion in recess” for his scheduled absence.

Rodriguez then replaced Oubaali in the match but will now instead face the Filipino knockout artist.

Gaballo became an interim WBA World bantamweight champion when he outpointed Stephon Young in 2018 but pundits believe the 24-year-old from Polomolok, Cotabato del Sur, is untested in the elite level.

Currently training in Miami, Florida with his Sanman Promotions stablemates, Gaballo was originally scheduled to face Jose Velasquez in the undercard had to be bumped up to the main event.

Manny Pacquiao’s MP Promotions is also Gaballo’s co-promoter.

“Rodriguez is a better fighter than Velasquez,” said Sanman Promotions President Jim Claude Manangquil. “But we felt this is the destiny of Reymart, to be a star.”