Gaballo to Lock Horns Against Kaikanha in WBC Eliminator
By Carlos Costa
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 17 Feb 2023
As ordered by the WBC, world-ranked Filipino former belt-holder Reymart Gaballo (on the left), will battle veteran Nawaphon Kaikanha of Thailand in a 12-rounder WBC Bantamweight World Title Eliminator next, the winner becoming mandatory challenger, thus getting a direct shot at the 118 world crown.
Born in Polomolok, Cotabato del Sur, the hard-swinging 26-year-old Gaballo (25-1, 21 KO's), seems to own the skills and power required to climb back up to the top of his weight-class, his many fans believing in him.
Reymart's one-and-only defeat was to the stone-like fists of fellow Filipino Nonito Donaire.
Other than that, Gaballo's pro boxing career has been flawless.
Gaballo drops foe.
But, five years older than Gaballo, the Thai Kaikanha (57-2-1, 47 KO's), has his own goals of glory.
Kaikanha, from Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, has been a regional champ for years, now wanting to get into world title contention with a big bang win over the younger Mindanao boxer. Will he get it?
The clash could not be more important.
That's because the winner of the Gaballo vs Kaikanha will battle the winner of the Nonito Donaire vs Alejandro Santiago rumble for the WBC Bantamweight world title later this year, and what will happen?
Who will be the two big winners?
Will Kaikanha stop Gaballo to get in the ring against Nonito?
Or will Gaballo ravage Kaikanha to get a rematch against the Filipino Flash?
And how about the Mexican Alejandro Santiago?
The Mexican is got two big fists and knows how to swing them, or we may ask Jerwin Ancajas who fought to a draw with Santiago 3 years ago.
Which brings us to this final question: What are the chances of Alejandro Santiago against the skills, speed and ring-smarts of the super popular, much-beloved 40 year-old Nonito Donaire, the popular one and only "Filipino Flash," born in Bohol?
Notably, these two important fights are happening because the WBC world bantamweight title is currently vacant after undefeated Japanese superstar "Monster" Naoya Inoue left the division in pursue of even more boxing accolades and glory as a super bantam.
Will Gaballo successfully deal with his next Thai foe for a new shot at the World Title later this year?
Photo of Gaballo's KO Win Courtesy of Sanman.
The author Carlos Costa can be reached at carlos@philboxing.com and whatsapp +639184538152.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Carlos Costa.
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