CEBU, Philippines — Reigning WBC bantamweight king Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire, Jr. is open to fighting either of his countrymen John Riel “Quadro Alas” Casimero or Reymart “Assassin” Gaballo whoever of them will step into the ring against him come December 11.
Donaire was originally eyeing a unification bout with Casimero, the WBO 118-pound titlist, but Gaballo’s name suddenly came into the picture after the WBC officially installed the undefeated Sanman Gym stalwart as Donaire’s mandatory challenger just three days ago.
In his Facebook post on Wednesday night (early Thursday morning, Phl time), Donaire revealed that learned after their Face Off interview with Casimero on Powcast Sports recently that there’s trouble brewing within Team Casimero and that it may derail again his planned showdown with the loudmouth fighter from Ormoc City.
The 38-year-old Donaire though hopes that the issue hounding Casimero and his handler Sean Gibbons, the president of MP Promotions, will be threshed out soon.
“After the Face Off with Casimero, it was said there’s some internal issues in their side that need to be resolved before they move forward. Hopefully it will be resolved amicably,” Donaire wrote.
Donaire made it clear through that his door remains open on another all-Filipino world title bout with Gaballo, who earned a shot at his throne after claiming the WBC interim bantamweight belt with a controversial split decision over Mexico’s Emmanuel Rodriguez in December 2020.
“Gaballo is mandatory. But we all know this is boxing and as far as I know, Sean (Gibbons) handles both Gaballo and Casimero. If Casimero and Sean resolve their problems, it is possible for Gaballo to step aside but it is all up to them at this point. I am fighting Dec. with whoever steps in the ring,” Donaire furthered.
Donaire and Casimero were actually booked to face off each other last August 14 in Las Vegas but what could have been a historic match-up between two Filipino world champions fell through after Donaire backed out for what he said a blatant display of misbehavior by Casimero.
Even until now, Donaire and Casimero engaged in an intense verbal tussle on social media, further fanning what is surely be a hot war once their paths will cross in the battlefield.