In an impressive display of skill and power, Reymart Gaballo, the current World Boxing Organization (WBO) No. 1 bantamweight contender, secured a quick victory on Tuesday night. Hoping to gain valuable rounds for his preparation towards a potential title shot, Gaballo entered the ring to face Thai veteran Phai Pharob in a WBO Oriental bantamweight title fight. However, the fight ended abruptly, lasting just 32 seconds into the first round, as Gaballo landed a devastating knockout punch.
The electric atmosphere at the Midas Hotel barely had time to settle when Gaballo, known for his hard-hitting style, unleashed a three-punch combination that culminated with a powerful left hook to Pharob's liver. The impact of the blow sent the 40-year-old Thai boxer, a former World Boxing Association (WBA) interim minimumweight champion, crashing to the canvas. Writhing in pain, Pharob made no attempt to get up as referee Danrex Tapdasan initiated the count and called an end to the fight.
Reflecting on his victorious moment, Gaballo shared his thoughts, 'I thought he would still get up, but I really felt the punch. It was a solid hit.' The scheduled 12-round bout quickly turned into a highlight reel moment for the 27-1 (22 KOs) Filipino boxer.
The fight served as the main event of a nine-fight card organized by Sanman Promotions in collaboration with MP Promotions. In the co-main event, super flyweight prospect KJ Catajara marked his return after a year-long layoff with a unanimous decision victory over Jun Blazo in an eight-round bout.
Gaballo's only prior shot at a world title was for the World Boxing Council (WBC) bantamweight belt. That fight ended in a fourth-round knockout by the hands of Nonito Donaire, Jr. in December 2021, constituting the lone blemish on Gaballo's professional record. Interestingly, Nonito Donaire, Jr., who defeated Gaballo, showcased his boxing prowess by delivering a similar liver shot.
Receiving training from Nonito Donaire, Sr. for the second consecutive fight, Gaballo attributed the significant improvements in his career to his coach. 'Coach Donaire constantly reminds me about precision, timing, and balance,' Gaballo revealed. It was during their training sessions that they had been working on the body shot that ultimately secured Gaballo's victory.
This victory has solidified Gaballo's position as the mandatory challenger for the WBO bantamweight champion, Jason Moloney of Australia. Moloney successfully defended his belt for the first time last month with a majority decision victory over Saul Sanchez. Moloney had previously captured the WBO title by defeating Filipino boxer Vincent Astrolabio in May 2023.
In a country currently lacking a world boxing champion from any of the four major governing bodies, Gaballo represents one of the Philippines' brightest hopes to break through. Talks of Moloney potentially participating in the undercard of the Vasily Lomachenko-George Kambosos, Jr. fight scheduled for May 12 in Perth have surfaced, though his opponent for the second title defense remains undisclosed. ESPN confirmed that Gaballo's local promoter, JC Manangquil of Sanman Promotions, is actively pursuing a title shot for him against Moloney.
Gaballo intends to stay dedicated to his training, recognizing that the call for the title shot could come at any moment. 'I will continue training relentlessly. I'll immediately get back to it,' Gaballo declared with determination.
Moloney, who has suffered losses only at the hands of top-tier fighters Naoya Inoue and Emmanuel Rodriguez, remains a formidable opponent. However, Gaballo has already demonstrated his capability by defeating Rodriguez via split decision in December 2020, further solidifying his credentials as a legitimate title contender.
As the quest for a world championship continues, Gaballo remains focused and ready to face any challenges that come his way. With his impressive victory over Pharob, he has proven his worth and showcased the exciting potential he possesses. The boxing community eagerly waits to see if Gaballo's journey will culminate in him claiming the coveted WBO bantamweight title.
