Emmanuel Rodriguez: Not Taking Gaballo Lightly, It Will Be Tough Fight

Former bantamweight world champion Emmanuel Rodriguez is very focused on his upcoming fight with unbeaten rising contender Reymart Gaballo.

On Saturday night, they will collide for the vacant WBC interim-bantamweight world championship in the main event of a Showtime televised tripleheader.

Also on the card, unbeaten welterweight Jaron “Boots” Ennis collides with veteran contender Chris Van Heerden for the vacant IBO title, plus unbeaten bantamweight Gary Antonio Russell vs former world champion Juan Carlos Payano will kick off the telecast in a 10-round duel.

Rodriguez was initially scheduled to face Nonito Donaire for the full WBC title. Donaire withdrew when he came up positive for COVID-19.

Gaballo, an unbeaten puncher who is largely untested, jumped on the opportunity to face Rodriguez in the main event, with a title at stake.

For his part, Rodriguez is not worried about the late change in opponent.

“I feel great right now. I’m physically and mentally in great shape and ready for whatever comes Saturday night," Rodriguez said.

“My training camp and my preparations for the fight really haven’t been impacted much with the change in opponents. They are similar fighters. The only difference is that Gaballo is younger and Nonito is more experienced. But it’s still a tough opponent in front of me that I’ll be ready for.

“I don’t believe that there’s much difference between Nonito and Gaballo. Gaballo tends to open up a little bit more than Nonito does, so it’s easier to connect on him. He is probably a little more aggressive than Nonito and his defense isn’t as good. I think Nonito would have been a tougher fight than Gaballo but I am not taking this fight lightly. 

“We’re prepared for whatever comes. If it goes 12 rounds, I’m ready for all 12. He’s going to have his game plan and we’re going to have ours, and I’m confident that I’m going to come away with the win.”