Gaballo spoils Donaire-Casimero party

Efforts are underway to save the mouth-watering bantamweight unification showdown between Nonito Donaire and John Riel Casimero from being shelved even as another Filipino fighter looms as a potential Donaire foe for 11 December.

“Still working on it,” MP Promotions chief Sean Gibbons said after reports surfaced that Reymart Gaballo is ready to fill in for Casimero.

The camp of Donaire insists that Casimero’s party has yet to agree on the contractual terms, forcing the team of the World Boxing Council to order a bout between Donaire and the unbeaten Miami-based Gaballo.

During a video streaming by Powcast Sports yesterday, Donaire and Casimero both expressed the desire to face each other.

“Good luck sa darating na laban natin kung matuloy (Good luck to you in case our fight happens),” Casimero, the World Boxing Organization ruler, told Donaire.

Donaire likewise urged Casimero to iron out whatever kinks that he has with Gibbons so they can proceed with the fight.

“Hopefully, may clarity ang interview na ito. Ayusin nyo muna ang issue nyo with your promoter. (Hopefully, this interview cleared up everything. Settle the issue with your promoter),” Donaire said after Casimero revealed that he has yet to see a copy of the proposed fight.

Told about the possibility of Donaire-Casimero vanishing in thin smoke, Gibbons swears the fight can still be salvaged.

But if it doesn’t, Gaballo, who fights out of JC Mananquil’s Sanman Promotions of General Santos City, will be ready to take on the Donaire challenge.

Gaballo, who has a 24-0 record with 20 knockouts, has been training under Cuban tactician Moro Fernandez since last month.

Mananquil, thrilled by the news of a possible Donaire fight, also clarified that he has yet to receive a contract but is upbeat the fight becomes a reality.

“It will be an honor to fight a legend like Nonito. This will be (a) great (fight). It is Reymart Gaballo’s time now. Gaballo will be the new (WBC) champion,” Mananquil said.