Reymart Gaballo is unbeaten in 23 bouts with 20 knockouts. Emmanuel Rodriguez got clobbered in 2 rounds in his last fight.
If records are to be the basis, the Filipino should be the favorite over the Puerto Rican when they dispute the World Boxing Council interim bantamweight crown on Saturday, December 19 (Sunday, December 20, Philippine time) at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.
Betting lines, however, put Gaballo as a +135 underdog and Rodriguez a -170 favorite in their 12-round encounter. It means a $100 wager on Gaballo will earn $135 if he wins while a $170 bet on Rodriguez will net just $100.
Reason: Rodriguez is the former International Boxing Federation bantamweight champion and the only guy who destroyed him after 19 wins with 12 knockouts is Japanese “Monster” Naoya Inoue.
The 24-year-old Gaballo has stopped his last 4 opponents and 15 of his last 16, with only American Stephon Young remaining standing after the final bell of their battle for the World Boxing Association interim 118-pound belt on March 23, 2018.
Overall, the pride of Sanman Promotions has notched only a total of 61 rounds or an average of 3 to dispatch his opponents.
Despite his hammer-like right, Gaballo refused to predict a knockout, telling Sanman head JC Managquil he is prepared to go 12 rounds against Rodriguez.
Gaballo gave the assurance he will emerge the victor, however.
Both Gaballo and Rodriguez, 28, checked in at 117.6 pounds during the official weigh-in Saturday, indicating they have prepared really hard.
Gaballo held training camp in Miami before flying out to Connecticut via private jet provided by Premier Boxing Champions on Wednesday. He was accompanied by chief trainer Moro Fernandez and deputy Franco Chocano.
Like Gaballo, Rodriguez said he is ready to go the full route and return to relevance after the Inoue debacle.
The winner between Gaballo and Rodriguez will be pitted against either Nonito Donaire, who got bumped off after testing positive for COVID-19, or Nordine Oubaali, who earlier backed out from Donaire after contracting the coronavirus and was declared champion in recess. – Rappler.com
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