By Ronnie Nathanielsz
Diosdado “Prince” Gabi, rated No. 4 flyweight by the World Boxing Council, is scheduled to battle former two-division world champion and current No. 2 Rosendo Alvarez of Nicaragua in a world title eliminator in Puerto Princessa, Palawan scheduled for June 17, according to Gabi’s manager, North Cotabato Governor Manny Pinol.
Pinol told Manila Standard Today that he had “a lengthy conversation about the title eliminator” with international promoter Murad Muhammad who now promotes the rugged Gabi and said he had invited Murad to come over for the fight. Gov. Pinol, a former journalist and a boxing commentator said the world-rated Gabi would begin training immediately. Pinol said the winner of the Gabi-Alvarez showdown will fight the
winner of the title clash between Thai world champion Pongsaklek Wonjongkam and Mexico’s Jorge Arce.
Gabi is coming off a first round knockout of Jimmy Pinontoan last February 12 following a smashing second round KO of Thailand’s Saensak Singmanasak last December 19. The 25 year old, stockily-built Gabi has a record of 24-2-1 with 18 knockouts while Alvarez who is 35 years old has a record of 34-2-2 with 22 knockouts.
In his last appearance on February 26 Alvarez scored a seventh round KO over Regalo Gamez. The Nicaraguan was stripped of his light flyweight title on October 2, 2004 when he failed to make the weight in a title defense against Beibis Mendoza although Alvarez eventually won a split decision.
Boxing man Akbar Muhammad who runs a training camp in California said he believes that while Alvarez is “a legend among the lighter weights, he is 35 years old and has had weight problems in recent years. He is ready to be taken” and Gov. Pinol firmly believes that Gabi can take him.
