Donaire predicts Gaballo future champ
By Joaquin Henson
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 20 Dec 2021
WBC bantamweight champion Nonito Donaire, Jr. said yesterday Reymart Gaballo will become a world titleholder someday soon. Donaire knocked out Gaballo with a left hook to the liver at 2:59 of the fourth round in Carson City, California, last Dec. 11 but the challenger displayed tough grit, behind by only a point in the three judges scorecards before the end.
The other night, Donaire treated Gaballo and his team to dinner at the Musashi Japanese steakhouse in Las Vegas. Donaire said he’s prepared to help Gaballo in his journey to the top. Gaballo’s manager JC Manangquil said it wasn’t the plan to engage Donaire from the onset. “Balak ni Reymart takbuhan sa umpisa pero nakipagsabayan kaagad,” said Manangquil. "Reymart learned a lot and got good advice from Donaire after the fight." Gaballo was out to prove himself against Donaire whom he calls “Champ Idol” and paid the price. “Para akong nasaksak sa tagiliran, sobrang sakit,” recalled Gaballo. “’Di ko kayang ituloy ang laban.” Only a second was left before the bell sounded to close the round.
Donaire said Gaballo needs to improve his balance and gain more experience but with his power and guts, it won’t take long before he claims a belt. MP Promotions head Sean Gibbons said after one or two more wins, Gaballo should be primed for another crack at the crown. “If we’re lucky, he could fight for the title before the year ends,” said Gibbons. Gaballo’s girlfriend Nicole, who is half-Filipina and half-Japanese, flew in from Tokyo to spend the holidays with him in the US. Gaballo will be back home before the New Year.
Donaire, 39, said outside the ring, he’s a friend to everyone. But inside the ring, he described himself as a killer. “It’s the enemy in the other corner,” said Donaire. “My mindset is no mercy. I bring a warrior’s mentality. My family was at ringside for the fight and my wife (Rachel) was in my corner. But I don’t feel pressure to perform before my family. I go out there to do what I have to do, regardless of who’s watching. Right now, my goal is to unify. I’ll fight anyone who has a belt. I want to be undisputed. My promoter (Richard Schaefer) has spoken with Mr. (Akihiko) Honda who represents (Naoya) Inoue and I’m hoping we can do a rematch, maybe in March, wherever. If (JohnRiel) Casimero is the WBO champion, I’ll fight him, too.”
Donaire said when he was hit by COVID over a month before the Gaballo fight, it wasn’t a severe case but he took two weeks off from the gym to fully recover. He credited sparmates Tomoki Kameda and Angelo Leo for getting him ready. Kameda, 30, is a former WBO bantamweight and interim WBC superbantamweight ruler with a 38-3 record, including 20 KOs. Leo, 27, is a former WBO superbantamweight ruler with a 21-1 record, including 9 KOs.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.
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