by Ronnie Nathanielsz
Little Diosdado "Lion Heart" Gabi will soon be back in the ring after his first round TKO victory over former WBA champion Mauricio Pastrana of Colombia last August 10.
In an overseas telephone conversation with Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today, Gabi's manager Michael Koncz said two dates were being made available by Top Rank promoter Bob Arum - September 14 or 28 and he was "looking to see which one was the best opportunity." Koncz said that on one fight card Gabi would be the main event and the other a supporting bout and he was figuring out what would be the best for his fighter.
Koncz said he was able to get sanctioning for the WBC Continental Americas Title and was "now going through opponents to see which one will accept it." He said a win by Gabi will surely get the 26 year old Filipino southpaw back in the top ten although the August ratings had Gabi listed at No. 6 by the IBF and No. 19 by the WBC.
Koncz said :none of the champions are going to give us a voluntary title fight so we are going to have to get it through a mandatory."
The Los Angeles boxing manager and agent said he had spoken to Gabi about his desire to return to the Philippines and understood his feelings since Gabi was a family man. However, they agreed that Gabi would definitely return home for a visit either in November or December.
