WBC orders Gaballo-Rodriguez rematch after controversial win

Reymart Gaballo. Photo from Showtime Boxing’s Twitter

MANILA, Philippines — Filipino prospect Reymart Gaballo will get the chance to prove his controversial win over Emmanuel Rodriguez was no fluke.

The World Boxing Council (WBC) has ordered a rematch between Gaballo and Rodriguez after the Polomolok, South Cotabato native escaped with a split decision win last month in Connecticut, USA.

The outcome raised eyebrows as many were convinced that Rodriguez did enough to win the bout. Rodriguez’s camp officially put the bout under protest.

“After a formal appeal was received by the WBC a committee of ring officials completed a thorough analysis and review of the match, resulting in the order of free negotiations for an immediate rematch between Gaballo and Rodríguez,” the WBC announced as posted on boxingscene.com.

The two judges scored the fight, 116-112 and 115-113 for Gaballo, who claimed the WBC interim belt, while the other had it 118-110 for Rodriguez.

The victory kept the 24-year-old Gaballo undefeated at 24-0 with 20 knockouts while Rodriguez, the former IBF champion, dropped to 19-2, 12 KOs.