REIGNING World Boxing Council (WBC) bantamweight champion Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire Jr. welcomed with apprehension the WBC’s mandatory order for him to defend his belt against fellow Filipino Raymart Gaballo.
Donaire (41-6 win-loss record with 27 knockouts) dethroned Frenchman Nordine Oubaali via a fourth-round knockout victory last May 29 in Carson City, California. Fighting Gaballo, however, has some minor kinks—they are both under Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) of Al Haymon.
“I need to wait for further announcement on the finality of the fight because we are both under the same boxing promotion,” Donaire told BusinessMirror on Wednesday. “Richard Schaefer and the PBC have been working on this fight for a month now. But whoever will be put in front of me by my promoter I’ll be ready to fight.”
Gaballo, undefeated in 24 fights with 20 knockouts, is coming off a controversial split decision win over Puerto Rican Emmanuel Rodriguez last December 19 in Connecticut to get the interim belt.
Donaire is supposed to fight World Boxing Organization (WBO) bantamweight champion Johnriel Casimero (31-4 record with 21 knockouts) in December, but everything is under negotiation.
“If their patience has run thin with Team Casimero, I understand,” Donaire said.
MP Promotions President Sean Gibbons, on the other hand, said they are still working through issues.
“For the WBO, we’re working on what’s next. We’re trying to line him [Casimero] up for a fight in December,” Gibbons said.
Gibbons didn’t give any details about the Donaire-Casimero ongoing negotiation.