Aggression worked for Reymart Gaballo as he bested Emmanuel Rodriguez by split decision to clinch the World Boxing Council interim bantamweight crown at Monhegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut on Saturday, December 19 (Sunday, December 20, Philippine time).
Feeling he packs more power after they traded punches in the 1st round, Gaballo chased Rodriguez around the ring the rest of the 12-rounder to earn the nod of judges Don Trella (116-112) and John Mckaie (115-113), negating the 118-110 score of David Sutherland for the Puerto Rican.
Gaballo thus stretched his win run to 24 with 20 knockouts, while handing Rodriguez (19-2, 12 knockouts) a second straight defeat after being manhandled by Naoya Inoue in two rounds and yielding his International Boxing Federation 118-pound belt in May last year.
With Gaballo firing away, Rodriguez got content defending and throwing counters which did not deter the pride of General Santos City from coming in.
Though Rodriguez appeared to be more effective with his jabs and hooks, Gaballo was busier, unloading a total of 520 punches, especially in the last 3 rounds where he focused on the body.
Gaballo landed 93 punches while Rodriguez connected on 109 while throwing only 372.
“I am so happy and so blessed,” said Gaballo during the post-fight conference. “It was too close, but I’m always (moving) forward and controlling the fight.”
According to Gaballo, he’ll be returning to the Philippines soon to reunite with his family in General Santos City since he’s been holed up in the United States for 8 months.
“I am so proud of Mart. He did what needs to be done and showed he’s not intimated by a more experienced opponent,” said Sanman Promotions head JC Manangquil.
Manangquil thanked Moro Fernandez, who trained Gaballo in Miami, and MP (Manny Pacquiao) Promotions head Sean Gibbons, who pushed for Gaballo as Rodriguez’s replacement opponent when four-division world champion Nonito Donaire initially tested positive for COVID-19.
Rodriguez was also a substitute for French champion Nordine Oubaali, who pulled out after contracting coronavirus.
The victory lined Gaballo for the regular title duel with Oubaali next year. – Rappler.com
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