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Reymart “Assassin” Gaballo from General Santos City. (PNA file photo)
MANILA – Reymart Gaballo stunned the world boxing community on Sunday after beating Puerto Rican opponent Emmanuel Rodriguez by split decision to take the World Boxing Council Interim Bantamweight Championship at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.
Gaballo, who replaced Nonito Donaire after the latter tested positive for the coronavirus disease in 2019, survived two near-falls by Rodríguez while betting on his aggression to achieve the close victory.
After a slow-paced first round, Gaballo got things going in Rounds 2 and 3 with his aggressive playing style, eventually cutting open the bridge of Rodriguez’s nose.
Rodriguez, however, found an opening for his right hook in the fourth round that nearly sent Gaballo to the canvas.
Gaballo somehow bounced back in the middle rounds by continuing his attack, eventually landing a right hook to Rodriguez in Round 8.
However, Rodriguez, using his range to his advantage, knocked Gaballo nearly to the ground again in Round 10.
It was a ring generality game in the championship rounds as both fighters used their advantages to the fullest in the final six minutes.
David Sutherland was 118-110 for Rodriguez, but Don Trella scored 116-112 and John McKaie scored 115-113 for Gaballo to the surprise of even some Filipino fans.
However, Gaballo believes: “the fight was too close, but I controlled the fight.”
In reaction to the result, Rodríguez thought he should have won.
“Realistically, he only won two or three rounds. He even knows he lost this fight. Everybody knows I won the fight. This will be appealed because this is bad for boxing,” he said. (PNA)
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