FILE–Filipino boxer Reymart Gaballo. Harry How/Getty Images/AFP
MANILA, Philippines—Former contender Reymart Gaballo will get another shot at contending for a world title.
The World Boxing Council has ordered a bantamweight title eliminator fight between Gaballo and Nawaphon Kaikanha of Thailand in May in the United States, according to a report by boxingscene.com.
Gaballo was once the WBC interim bantamweight champion three years ago after he edged Puerto Rico’s Emmanuel Rodriguez in December 2020 but failed to gain full champion status after he got knocked out by compatriot Nonito Donaire a year later.
Donaire is already slated to fight for the WBC belt with Mexico’s Alexandro Santiago as his likely opponent after his original foe Jason Moloney reportedly opted to pursue the WBO strap.
The bantamweight titles were recently vacated by Naoya Inoue, who moved up to super bantamweight, shortly after becoming undisputed champion at 118 pounds last December.
After losing to Donaire, the 26-year-old Gaballo (25-1, 21KOs) got himself back on track last October 29 when he scored a second-round stoppage over fellow Filipino Ricardo Sueno in a fight held in his hometown of General Santos City.
Kaikanha (57-2-1, 47KOs), meanwhile, is scheduled for a fight against countryman Attanon Kunlawong on February 25 in Thailand.
His impending bout against Gaballo will be his second title eliminator bout in less than a year after he lost to Moloney on points last October.