FORMER interim world champion Reymart Gaballo his much-awaited ring return after a 10-month layoff and takes on Ricardo Sueno for the World Boxing Organization (WBO) Oriental and World Boxing Council (WBC) Asia Continental bantamweight belts on Saturday night, Oct. 29, 2022, at the Lagao Gym in Gen. Santos City.
Gaballo, 26, is eager to bounce back after suffering a fourth round knockout at the hands of Filipino superstar Nonito Donaire Jr. on Dec. 11, 2021, in a WBC bantamweight title fight at the Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California.
Gaballo wants to climb back up the bantamweight ladder and earn another crack at a world championship. He’s still ranked No. 7 by the WBC and No. 14 by the WBO. Japanese superstar Naoya Inoue currently holds the WBC, World Boxing Association (WBO) and International Boxing Federation belts, while Paul Butler is the WBO champion. Inoue and Butler are unifying the division as they take on each other on Dec. 13.
The 28-year-old Sueno should be a good opponent for Gaballo’s comeback. He’s tested some promising prospects with the likes of Regie Suganob, John Paul Gabunilas, Thai Thanongsak Simsri and Japanese Taku Kuwahara.
Sueno scored a fourth round knockout of unheralded Ernie Mino Jr. in his last fight.
Gaballo is 24-1 with 20 knockouts, while Sueno is 11-6-4 with four knockouts.
Gaballo tipped the scales at 117 pounds, while Sueno was a pound lighter at 116 pounds.
Ian Sampan (6-0, 5 KOs) is tested against gatekeeper Joe Tejones (13-11, 7 KOs) in a 10-round main supporting bout.
In the undercard, Alex Santisima Jr. (4-0, 2 KOs) trades leathers with former regional champion Jess Rhey Waminal (14-6-1, 8 KOs), hard-hitting Benny Cañete (6-0, 5 KOs) is fighting Jovanie Tagusi (6-6-2, 3 KOs), former world title contender Froilan Saludar (32-6-1, 22 KOs) slugs it out with battle-scarred veteran Crison Omayao (24-26-5, 8 KOs), Judy Flores (10-1, 6 KOs) takes on Michael Camelion (11-18-3, 9 KOs), Kenneth Egano (4-1, 2 KOs) squares off with Jelo Bacalso (1-2-1, 1 KO), Joshua Belicena (1-1, 1 KO) locks horns with Rustom Sario (1-0), Ricky Cristobal tests his mettle against experienced Rocky Sardido (8-27-5, 3 KOs), Nelbert Gaballo (2-0, 1 KO) is up against Yoben Limentillo (2-6, 1 KO), Aussie prospect Tyler Blizzard (2-0) faces off with Nicardo Calamba (9-36-5, 6 KOs) and Donato Jordan (0-1) kicks off the show against John Paul Deaga