WHILE he would have preferred another foe, Nonito Donaire Jr. sees staking his World Boxing Council bantamweight crown against top-ranked compatriot Reymart Gaballo in a mandatory title fight being arranged sometime in December as a “win-win” situation.
“I still think it is a blessing na makita nila ‘yung Filipino versus Filipino. It is still a ‘win-win’ situation kasi ang mananalo pa rin Filipino,” Donaire said during the Games and Amusements Board’s 3rd Professional Sports Summit held online last Wednesday.
The Mexico-based ring body recently ordered Donaire, whose manager-trainer is his wife Rachel, to start negotiating for a mandatory title clash with Gaballo, who has a spotless record of 24 wins, 20 by knockout, and is the No. 1 contender in the WBC bantamweight division.
Donaire, who has a record of 41 wins (27 KOs) against six defeats, will make the first defense of the title he wrested from erstwhile undefeated Frenchman Nordine Ouubaali via a fourth-round knockout victory last May 29 at the Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson City, California.
At 39, the Bohol-born champ is 14 years older than Gaballo, who hails from Gen. Santos City.
Donaire said he is training hard even though his last fight was four months ago and will set up his training camp soon.
Donaire also lauded the GAB under Chairman Baham Mitra for looking after the welfare of professional boxing stakeholders, especially the boxers, who were given financial aid by the Department of Social Welfare and Development when the pandemic hit last year through the agency’s efforts.
“Without any prompting, they gave financial benefits to qualified boxers through the DSWD. That kind of compassion is what we always need in leadership,” Donaire said. “GAB plays an important role in looking after the safety and health of our boxers before and after fights.”
Donaire urged local boxers “to stay focused and do not fall into complacency as you do not know when the call for the next fight would be. Be always ready as this is our profession.”
He looked forward to being able to fight anew in the Philippines in the future, adding he had missed the support of local ring fans who had witnessed his fights at the Araneta Coliseum and in Cebu.
