Photo from Showtime Boxing’s Twitter
MANILA, Philippines — Reymart Gaballo ended the year on a winning note, albeit in controversial fashion.
Gaballo claimed the interim WBC bantamweight title in a highly-disputed split decision win over Emmanuel Rodriguez on Sunday (Manila time) at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.
Gaballo wins via SD after going the distance with @ERodriguezManny pic.twitter.com/9vvOpaZwO8
— SHOWTIME Boxing (@ShowtimeBoxing) December 20, 2020
The unbeaten Filipino got the nod of the two judges, 116-112 and 115-113, while the other judge had it 118-110 for Rodriguez, who was on top of things for the majority of the fight.
Nonetheless, Gaballo remained on track for his first world title shot.
Both Gaballo and Rodriguez served as substitute fighters, filling in for Nonito Donaire and reigning WBC champion Nordine Oubaali.
Donaire and Oubaali were forced to withdraw due to COVID-19.
The 24-year-old Gaballo improved to 24 wins with 20 knockouts while the Puerto Rican Rodriguez fell to 19-2, 12 KOs).