Gaballo to fight Velasquez on Dec. 19 in US

By Lito delos Reyes

DAVAO CITY – Undefeated Reymart “Assassin” Gaballo of Gen. Santos City will fight orthodox Jose “Pancora” Velasquez of Chile for the vacant World Boxing Association Interim World Bantamweight Championship on Dec. 19 at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Connecticut, USA.

Gaballo, 24, earlier won vacant WBA Interim World Bantamweight Championship title by a unanimous decision over Stephon Young last March 23, 2018 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood.

But he failed to defend it last 2019.

“Gaballo will look to regain his title back as he faces tough Velasquez for the vacant interim,” said JC Manangquil, president of Sanman Boxing Promotion.

Gaballo had three fights in 2019.

He first scored a technical knockout in the 2nd round over Yuya Nakanura of Japan last Feb. 9 at Midas Hotel and Casino in Pasay City.

Then he stopped Yeison Vargas of Colombia via a TKO in the 6th round last Aug. 31 at Minneapolis Armory in Minneapolis.

Gaballo then TKO Chaiwat Buatkrathok of Thailand in the 6th round last Dec, 14 at The Flash Grand Ballroom of the Elorde Sports Complex in Paranaque City.

Velasquez, 31 has not been beaten for 20 fights since 2016.

He recently won by a majority decision over Cesar Ignacio Paredes of Peru last Jan. 18, 2020 in Gimnasio Eulogia Borquez Pere in Quellon.

The fight will be the undercard of the vacant WBC World bantamweight championship title between the Philippines’ Nonito Donaire Jr. (40W-6L-0D, 26KOs) and Puerto Rico’s Emmanuek Rodriguez (19W-1L-0D, 12KOs).