An accident has resulted in young Reymart Gaballo receiving a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
The 24-year-old native of General Santos City – who has amassed a record of 23-0 with 20 KOs – was supposed to take on Jose Velasquez in a bout that would serve as the undercard of Nonito Donaire’s world title opportunity against Emmanuel Rodriguez.
But then a sudden twist of fate happened as Donaire tested positive for the coronavirus (COVID-19).
Gaballo of Sanman Promotions received an offer for the fight. Safe to say, it was an opportunity that he did not resist.
“Noong una, hindi ko talaga naisip na sa akin bibigay ‘yung laban,” recalled Gaballo during an episode of The Hit List.
“Naka-focus po kami sa kalaban ko na si Velasquez. Pero ngayon nabaling sa kanya kasi bigla pong meron na kay idol Nonito. So ayun po, kailangan talaga mag-step up.”
Gaballo was in Miami when the news broke out that Donaire was forced to withdraw from the bout that is set to take place on Sunday (Manila time) at Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Connecticut.
Though on paper the fight was on short notice, Gaballo shared that he has been ready for it all this time.
“Matagal na rin akong nagtre-training at saka marami rin ako naririnig na mga usap-usapan na mga ilalaban sa akin,” said Gaballo, who last fought back in Decemebr 14 of 2019 – a TKO win over Chaiwat Buatkrathok.
“Hindi ko lang akalain na ‘yung isa ‘yung makakalaban ko.”
Rodriguez, though, will be nothing like anyone he has faced before.
The 28-year-old Frenchman is 19-1 with 12 KOs to his name. And he went toe-to-toe with the Monster himself, Naoya Inoue, back in May of 2019.
Gaballo remains unperturbed heading into the bout, knowing that this season is the time for miracles.
“I mean, ‘yung kakayanan ko lahat gagawin ko para manalo sa laban at saka hindi rin ako nagbibigay ng kumpyansa. Lagi ko iniisip ko na aabot kami ng twelve rounds kung ganon naman po.”
