WBC orders Nonito Donaire title defense vs Reymart Gaballo

FILE–WBC champion Nonito Donaire. Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images/AFP 

MANILA, Philippines — An all-Filipino title clash has been set after the World Boxing Council ordered a mandatory fight between WBC bantamweight champion Nonito Donaire and interim champ Reymart Gaballo.

The WBC, one of four major sanctioning bodies in pro boxing, made the announcement on Tuesday.

Donaire, who won the WBC belt last May when knocked out Frenchman Nordine Oubaali in the fourth round, was supposed to fight compatriot and WBO titleholder Johnriel Casimero in a unification bout last August before the two camps had a falling out.

Casimero ended up fighting and beating former champion Guillermo Rigondeaux of Cuba.

At 38, “The Filipino Flash” became the oldest bantamweight to capture a world title when he beat Oubaali.

FILE–Reymart Gaballo. Photo from Showtime Boxing’s Twitter

Gaballo, who is undefeated with 24 wins and 20 knockouts, claimed the vacant interim title in December last year following a split decision victory over Emmanuel Rodriguez of Puerto Rico.

The impending fight against Gaballo came as a surprise with Donaire still being linked with Casimero for a potential showdown.

Japanese champion Naoya Inoue, who beat Donaire in a 12-round slugfest in 2019, also remains in the mix for a possible rematch with the Filipino four-division champion.