By Ronnie Nathanielsz
Michael Koncz who handled Filipino flyweight Diosdado Gabi and even got him a world title shot against Australia’s devastating puncher Vic Darchinyan says he was surprised to learn that Gabi had signed up with trainer Freddie Roach according to a story filed by Winchell Campos on the Philboxing.com website.
In an email to Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today, Koncz said that at the present time he has “little comment on the subject matter of Gabi being under new management” stressing that he had “no intention of playing mental gymnastics with Gabi or the people that influenced him in this matter.”
Boxing promoter and manager Rex “Wakee” Salud, a close friend and confidant of Filipino ring idol Manny Pacquiao who has had dealings with Koncz said he had arranged for Gabi to stay in the apartment of Campos near the Wild Card Gym and that he believes Pacquiao spends for Gabi’s food etc. He said Roach “felt sorry” for Gabi who was allegedly ill-treated by Koncz’ wife. But Salud said Koncz was “trying very hard” and that Gabi himself had told him Koncz was :”okay” but he didn’t want to stay in his home.
Koncz indicated that he was aware of a number of articles “with negative and perhaps damaging references to me” but that he was not prepared, at this time, to rebut what he referred to as “ the self-serving propaganda relating to Gabi or the new people around him.”
Koncz noted that until his August 10 fight in Las Vegas , Gabi lived with him and his family and “in addition to the monetary expenditures I obviously spent considerable time with Gabi.” Koncz said “I hope and believe that the time spent and my efforts have made him a better fighter as evident by Gabi’s aggressive style demonstrated in his first round knockout win over Mauricio Pastrana.”
The California-based boxing man said that he sincerely did his best to help Gabi “both as a person and secondly as a prize fighter” and he was leaving it Gabi’s supporters and others to determine if his efforts produced positive results in the advancement of Gabi’s pro boxing career.
Koncz said the last time he spoke to Gabi was on August 18 at the Wild Card Gym during which he confirmed a fight on the September 14 Top Rank card at the Orleans Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. Koncz claimed there was :”no indication or mention of his intention to seek new management. On the contrary we had lengthy discussions in Las Vegas after his fight in Vegas and things were fine.” Koncz disclosed that he learned about the management change from someone at the California State Athletic Commission Office.
Roach has reportedly obtained a fight for Gabi on the undercard of the September 16 rematch between Marco Antonio Barrera and Rocky Juarez but there was no word on his opponent.
