Nonito Donaire Continues To Defy Time as he Takes Out Mandatory Challenger Reymart Gaballo
At the Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California, Nonito Donaire (42-6, 28 KOs) made the first defense of the WBC world bantamweight title against WBC “interim” world bantamweight champ Reymart Gaballo (24-1, 20 KOs).
The defending champ is a legend in the lower-weight divisions. Winning world titles at 112, 118, 122, and 126 pounds, the “Filipino Flash” is a future Hall of Famer. Despite his advanced age, the 39-year-old is enjoying a resurgence.
2019 saw him engage in the Fight of the Year in his loss to Naoya Inoue in the World Boxing Super Series Bantamweight Finals in November of that year. Donaire followed that up by blitzing Nordine Oubaali in four rounds to capture the WBC title in May 2021.
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While Gaballo doesn’t have near the resume, his hunger was strong. His last fight was a highly controversial one. In December of 2019, he defeated former IBF 118 pound champ Emmanuel Rodriguez by a split decision in a fight which left many fans claiming foul. Tonight, he stepped into the ring with one of his boxing idols.
A MASTER AT WORK
Donaire is cool as a cucumber in the ring. He was patient, willing to wait for his opportunities. Gaballo showed himself to be a fighter of some skill as he was able to find a home with the jab, and occasional combinations. He also tried to nullify the champ’s vaunted left hook.
But you knew the champ would eventually find a home for his home-run punch. In the third, he started to warm up and land with some consistency. Late in the round, a thunderous left hook to the liver put Gaballo down for the count.
Nonito Donaire is truly a boxing marvel. It seems like age is only a number when it comes to the Filipino legend. After the fight, he said he wants a unification bout and is targeting a rematch with unified bantamweight champion Naoya Inoue.
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By: Michael Wilson Jr.
