WBC orders Reymart Gaballo vs Emmanuel Rodriguez rematch

2020’s last big robbery is getting a do-over. The WBC announced today that “[a]fter a formal appeal was received by the WBC [and] a committee of ring officials completed a thorough analysis and review,” interim bantamweight champion Reymart Gaballo must rematch Emmanuel Rodriguez.

Recently restored champion Nordine Oubaali, meanwhile, “will defend his title in March with the winner, to fight mandatory contender Nonito Donaire.”

Gaballo (24-0, 20 KO) replaced the aforementioned Donaire on short notice to face Rodriguez (19-2, 12 KO), who himself stepped in for the aforementioned Oubaali. Steve Farhood had it 118-110 for the former champion and WBSS semifinalist, as did our own Scott Christ and judge Donald Sutherland, but John McKaie and Don Trella had it for the untested Filipino puncher.

You have to feel for Rodriguez, who saw Luis Nery flunk out of a planned clash on the scale and then had to deal with this nonsense. Here’s hoping he gets some proper judging this time.