By: Sean Crose
A rejuvenated Nonito Donaire returned to the ring on Saturday night with a scheduled round 12 defense of the WBC bantamweight belt he won from Nordine Oubaali last May. 41-6 Donaire’s opponent will be undefeated compatriot Reymart Gaballo, 24-0. Gaballo’s final opponent was Emmanuel Rodriguez, with whom Gaballo played his best last December, although some felt that it was Rodriguez who should have received the nod from the referees.
However, unlike Donaire, the 25-year-old Gaballo has never tasted defeat. He is also a power puncher, having finished all but four of his fights in the distance. On the other hand, he hasn’t faced competition from Donaire yet. He also doesn’t have the defending champion’s overall experience. In a sense, Gaballo was in a no-win situation. If he wins on Saturday, it will be argued to beat the champ on the hill. If he loses, then the chance to hold the WBC world belt evaporates before his eyes.
As for Donaire, his legacy is now fully guaranteed no matter what happens on Saturday. The man in his late forties looked like a soldier on his way out a few years ago. Boxing, however, is a sport full of surprises. Despite losing to Naoya Inoue in the next generation at the end of 2019, Donaire fell in form. So many styles that people are starting to seriously wonder if Donaire could ever make a comeback. Then, this past May, Donaire beat Oubaali for the WBC belt, and there’s no longer any question as to whether the man will return.
It should also be added that Donaire seems to be very favored for a walk this weekend. Then again, this is boxing.
The 18-0 undefeated Kudratillo Abdukakhorov will also be in the game on Saturday when he faces Cody Crowley 19-0 in a scheduled 10th round match. Abukakhorov was last seen retiring Javier Flores in March. Crowley was last spotted in the ring in September when he was assertive Josh Torres. Weightlifters Brandun Lee and Juan Heraldez will also fight on Saturday night, when they clash in a scheduled 10th round. 23-0 Lee was last in the ring in August when he defeated Ezequiel Victor Fernandez in the first round, while 16-1-1 Heraldez was last spotted being stopped by Regis Prograis in October 2020.
The Donaire-Gaballo card will be dropped off at the Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California. It will be broadcast live on Showtime starting at 10 p.m. ET on Saturday.
