By Ronnie Nathanielsz

 

Little Filipino bantamweight Diosdado “Prince” Gabi has been sparring with Michael Katsidis at the Wild Card Gym of Freddie Roach in Los Angeles.

 

Golden Boy Promotions vice president and international matchmaker Eric Gomez said he watched Gabi spar with Katisidis and said the Filipino “went in there and was doing very, very well.”

 

Gomez said he was surprised because Katsidis is a “bigger and stronger guy” but that Gabi is “very, very motivated right now and says this is to secure a future for my family.” He said Gabi was taking the right approach.

 

Gabi (30-3-1, 21 KO’s)  battles undefeated Abner Mares (15-0, 9 KO’s) on the undercard of the Manny Pacquiao-Juan Manuel Marquez rematch titled “Unfinished Business” while undefeated lightweight Katsidis (23-0, 20 KO’s) clashes with Joel Casamayor (35-3-1, 21 KO’s) for the WBC lightweight title on March 22.

 

Katsidis battled Czar Amonsot last July and won a unanimous twelve round decision in a bloody encounter for the WBO interim title. The fight ended the face of Katsidis a gory mess and  both fighters had to be taken to hospital.

 

Unfortunately doctors discovered that Amonsot had a speck of blood outside the brain which ended his promising ring career.