By Ronnie Nathanielsz
Diosdado “Prince” Gabi, the little southpaw with a big heart,wants to be flyweight king and hopes to wear the crown after his title battle with undefeated Australian Vic Darchinyan at the Chumash Casino Resort in Santa Ynez, California today.
Despite his sterling record of 26 wins, 19 by knockouts, 2 losses and 1 draw Gabi is a huge underdog against the hard-hitting Darchinyan who has one-punch knockout power as evidenced by his 19 knockouts in 24 wins. But Gabi’s trainer Freddie Roach is quietly confident that the southpaw from Davao City who had trained hard for some two months and made tremendous sacrifices in order to achieve his dream of winning a world title and providing his family with a better life, would upset the cocky Darchinyan.
Darchinyan’s trainer and former multi-titled world champion Jeff Fenech showed some concern over the fact that the champion had only trained for four weeks which may tell in the end if the fight goes the distance. But Darchinyan put his fears to rest by asking Gabi to name the round in which he would be knocked out by the champion.
Gabi won in his US debut when he scored a fourth round technical decision against rugged Mexican Jose Antonio Tirado who last February 3 was given a neat boxing lesson by OPBF No.1 and WBO No. 4 super flyweight Z “The Dream” Gorres. Darchinyan hasn’t fought since August 24 last year when he scored an eighth round TKO over Jair Jimenez.
Roach concedes that Darchinyan is a tremendous puncher who could take an opponent out with one shot but believes that Gabi isn’t fazed by the champion’s reputation. Roach said Gabi is “a good little boxer. I think he is going to surprise people. He is technically very sound and he’s got pretty good defense. He is a solid fighter and we are coming to win.”
Gabi’s manager, California-based boxing man Michael Koncz is confident that Gabi will leave everything out there in the ring. Koncz who has played a crucial role in getting fights for promising Filipino boxers including Bobby Pacquiao, Rey “Boom Boom” Bautista and others has helped Gabi all the way and is hoping it pays off for a decent young man who wants only to bring honor to his country and be king in the ring.
