Philippines, 12 May 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Gaballo honored to fight Donaire


PhilBoxing.com



Reymart Gaballo.

Talks are now underway for WBC bantamweight champion Nonito Donaire, Jr. to stake his crown against interim titlist Reymart Gaballo in a mandatory defense, leaving WBO ruler JohnRiel Casimero out of the equation for the meantime. Donaire lives in Las Vegas while Gaballo has been training in Miami since August so it won’t be a problem arranging the fight somewhere in the US, possibly in December.

Donaire recently called out Casimero to push through with their showdown that was cancelled last Aug. 14 but when the WBC ordered the defense against Gaballo the other day, the Filipino Flash said he’s ready for anyone. “Casimero has apologized for saying all that stuff about Rachel,” said Donaire referring to the social media rants on his wife. “He wants me to send him the contract for a fight but I can’t do that. That’s the promoter’s job, not mine. If Gaballo steps aside for Casimero, that’s fine with me. I’ll fight Casimero or Gaballo, whoever the WBC appoints.”

Gaballo’s manager JC Manangquil said stepping aside isn’t an option. “Reymart’s time is now,” he said. “It’s an honor to fight Donaire. We’ve been hoping for this opportunity. Reymart’s been in Miami for close to two months, getting ready for a fight. Then, this happened. It’s every fighter’s dream to become a world champion. We would’ve preferred to fight a champion who’s not Filipino but that’s boxing. If a Filipino is in the way of Reymart fighting for the world title, he won’t back down.”

Manangquil said Gaballo is one of the most disciplined fighters in his SanMan stable. “He trains every day, he eats right and he never goes over 126 or 128 pounds,” he said. “Making 118 is easy. The fight will probably be in December so Reymart will be more than ready to go.” Gaballo is now in camp with Cuban trainer Osmori Fernandez in Miami.

Manangquil said Gaballo is ripe for a title shot. “He’s at the right age, 25, with a lot of experience fighting abroad,” he said. “The timing is perfect.” Gaballo hasn’t fought since defeating Puerto Rico’s Emmanuel Rodriguez via a split 12-round decision to win the WBC interim belt in Uncasville, Connecticut, in December 2020. His record is 24-0, with 20 KOs. He has won fights in Minnesota, Florida, Mexico and Hawaii.

Donaire, 38, wrested the WBC crown from Nordine Oubaali on a fourth round knockout last May to raise his record to 41-6, with 27 KOs. Donaire and Gaballo have faced only one common opponent, Stephon Young. In 2018, Gaballo decked Young in the third round enroute to scoring a unanimous 12-round verdict in Hollywood, Florida. The next year, Donaire halted Young in six in Lafayette, Louisiana.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • WBC president Mauricio Sulaimán on Barcelona-Real Madrid La Liga finals
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 12 May 2026
  • Canadian Cruiserweight Contender Ryan Rozicki Fires Warning Shot at Chris Billam-Smith Ahead of Zuffa Boxing 07 showdown on June 6
    , Tue, 12 May 2026
  • Judgement Day coming this Friday In Germany for Paddy Donovan
    , Tue, 12 May 2026
  • Six Rounds to Silence the Magic Man: Why Rolando Dy is Malignaggi’s Worst Nightmare
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Mon, 11 May 2026
  • The Eternal Contender: Inside Nonito Donaire’s Record-Breaking Title Run
    By Dong Secuya, , Mon, 11 May 2026
  • Boxing trio reunited up there
    By Joaquin Henson, , Mon, 11 May 2026
  • 1st CK Ingles Chess Kings Set to Kick Off
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 11 May 2026
  • Zhu Outguns "The Assassin" Ian Abne in Cebu Thriller, Earns Shot at IBF Champ Taduran
    By Carlos Costa, , Sun, 10 May 2026
  • Arañas Survives Harsh Knockdown, Stops Noynay to Claim WBF Strap in Cebu (Fist of Fury X Results)
    By Carlos Costa, , Sun, 10 May 2026
  • Mindoro faces strong Mexican opponent
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 10 May 2026
  • Blood, Grit, and Iron: Zhu Outlasts Abne in a Cebu War
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 10 May 2026
  • Tickets ON SALE NOW for Abdullah Mason-Joe Cordina at Cleveland State University’s Wolstein Center
    , Sat, 09 May 2026
  • IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia bags gold in ASEAN E-Sports chess qualifying round
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 09 May 2026
  • Wardley vs Dubois: Heavyweight Tussle in Manchester
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 09 May 2026
  • Fireworks Expected as Cebu's Arañas and Noynay Rumble for WBF Silver Belt
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 09 May 2026
  • Keyshawn Davis: "Nahir Albright’s Going To Be the Fourth Guy I Stop in a Row!"
    , Sat, 09 May 2026
  • Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaiman: Cinco De Mayo, A Historic Celebration Of Boxing
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Fri, 08 May 2026
  • Abne, Zhu Make Weight for IBF Eliminator in Cebu; Winner Fights Taduran
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 08 May 2026
  • IBA presents stacked fight card for May 21 event in Mexico City
    , Fri, 08 May 2026
  • Laurente to promote amateur boxing
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 08 May 2026
  • Heavyweight Gustavo Trujillo Has a New Date Returns May 30 at War Memorial Auditorium in Fort Lauderdale
    , Fri, 08 May 2026
  • Toro Promotions & Whitfield Haydon Officially Announce ‘Sizzling Summer Boxing Series’
    , Fri, 08 May 2026
  • Jean Henri Lhuillier Drives ASAPHIL’s Winning System Through Long-Term Vision and Coaching Continuity
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 08 May 2026
  • Dy ready to face Malignaggi in BKB on May 16
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 07 May 2026
  • ‘A younger lion always comes for that old lions spot. Your time is up, GET OUT OF MY WAY! – Manny Ritti challenges former ONE FC World Champion Nobutsu Suzuki May 29 in Perth – Thunderdome 54
    , Thu, 07 May 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.