Former IBF bantamweight world champion Emmanuel Rodriguez (19-1, 12 KOs) will now take on unbeaten former WBA interim bantamweight champion Reymart Gaballo (23-0, 20 KOs) for the vacant WBC interim bantamweight title in the main event on Showtime Championship Boxing December 19 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn.
Nordine Oubaali and Nonito Donaire were originally set to meet for Oubaali’s WBC title. Then when Oubaali tested positive for COVID-19, he was made champion in recess and it was Donaire vs. Rodriguez for the vacant WBC title. When Donaire later tested positive for COVID-19 also, the Rodriguez vs. Gaballo fight was made for the vacant interim title.
The tripleheader will also feature unbeaten welterweight Jaron “Boots” Ennis (26-0, 24 KOs) taking on his toughest opponent to date in veteran contender Chris Van Heerden (28-2-1,12 KOs) in a 12-round co-main event for the vacant IBO welterweight title. Plus, unbeaten bantamweight Gary Antonio Russell (17-0, 12 KOs) will face former world champion Juan Carlos Payano (21-4, 9 KOs) in a 10-round showdown to kick off the telecast.
Non-televised undercard action will see rising prospect Brandun Lee (20-0, 18 KOs) battling Dakota Linger (12-4-2, 8 KOs) in a 10-round super lightweight attraction.
Gaballo is a much more dangerous fight than Donaire these days.
This article is a bit confusing. Title says fight is off because donaire has covid and new foe for Rodriguez. The content says donaire was fighting someone else and both have covid and Rodriguez and a totally different fighter fighting for an interim title.
Read it again then. After Donaire’s original opponent came down with COVID Rodriguez replaced him. Now it’s Donaire with COVID so he is being replaced.
Manny, ah! It was edited. Now it makes sense.
This is a step back for Ennis, Van Heerden was smoked by by Spence nearly 4 years ago. Ennis has had nearly as much matches as Spence and still fighting this level of fighters while mouthing off at Spence and Crawford.
That’s right, Ennis should be fighting any top ten guy under Crawford or Spence.I think Josesito Lopez or Sergei Lipinets could be a good step up, before facing guys at Porter or Thurman level.
Ask any top 10 Welter if they are willing to get in there with Ennis. You know they are not. Ennis beat guys too easily and he’s too talented for Josesito Lopez or Sergei Lipinets. He can only fight who’s willing. And no fighter at 147 will even speak his name.
Emmanuel Rodriguez is too skilled for Reymart Gaballo, but should fight him with caution, because Reymart has two bricks that could end the fight in a blink of the eyes.
well damn i was hoping to see Donaire become champion again i know hes past his prime but im still pulling for him and hope hes doing well with the damn T-virus
Duke basketball team call off the season after a 2-2 start and blamed COVID. It is now an accepted excuse.