Nonito Donaire out of title fight after contracting COVID-19

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

 

Nonito Donaire won’t be fighting this December after testing positive for COVID-19.

As the vacant World Boxing Council (WBC) bantamweight belt is waiting for a holder this December 19, Donaire’s hopes of claiming the title vanished after his COVID-19 tests turned out to be positive.

The development was first reported by BoxingScene.com where they also reported that the organizers are already looking for suitable replacements as Donaire’s opponent Emmanuel Rodriguez is already all-systems-go heading into the main event.

With almost a week left before the bout, organizers had to look for a late replacement for Donaire and found fellow Filipino Reymart Gaballo to square off with the Puerto Rican hard-puncher.

Gaballo found his stride upon showing off on American soil and is considered as one of the Filipino rising stars in boxing and is currently undefeated in 23 fights with 20 knockouts.

The organizers are already finalizing the Rodriguez-Gaballo bout which will put Donaire’s fate on hold together with his original opponent, Nordine Oubaali of France who was also pulled-out due to COVID-19.