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GABI MAKES US DEBUT IN STOCKTON By Salven L. Lagumbay PhilBoxing.com Mon, 19 Sep 2005 Former WBC International flyweight boss Diosdado ?Prince? Gabi will be featured in the main event at the Stockton Civic Auditorium on Friday September 23 for his American debut. The fight card is being presented by James Grunsky Promotions. The 26-year-old Gabi (25-2-1, 18 KO's) is presently ranked number 5 in the world by the WBC although his manager states that the September 23 fight will be at 116 lbs and not at the flyweight category. The opponent in the 10 round main event is hard-hitting Mexican Jose Alfredo Tirado who?s record stands at 22 wins, 2 losses and 3 draws with 17 wins coming by way of knockouts. Gabi arrived in the United States on August 3, 2005 and is living in Orange County. Gabi and his manager take a 45-minute drive from Orange County to Los Angeles to train under the watchful eyes of 2002 trainer of the Year, Freddie Roach at the Wild Card Gym in Hollywood. "My good friend and match maker for the September 23 card, Jimmy Montoya, who is also in charge of the West Coast operations for Guilty Boxing Promotions has provided us with a credible and very tough opponent nevertheless, we believe Gabi is up for the task. This will be a good test and an indicator as to where Gabi stands in the world title hunt," stated Koncz. Under the tutelage of Freddie Roach Gabi has sparred approximately 75 rounds. Utilized as the main sparring partner was Brian Viloria who is now the WBC Junior Flyweight Champion also, approximately 25 rounds were done with Brazilian Flyweight Jose Albuquerque. For this past and final week of sparring in addition to Albuquerque, Gabi did 3 rounds on Monday, Tuesday and Friday with IBF Super Bantamweight Champion Israel Vazquez. "When Gabi was presented for training camp in the later part of July his weight had ballooned to 140 lbs and my concern was reducing his weight down to 112 lbs over this short period of time may effect Gabi?s stamina and more importantly, his over all health," Koncz added. In this regard, Koncz has retained the services of a nutritionist who has placed Gabi on the following meal schedule: breakfast consist of two hard boiled eggs and a whole yam, after training or lunch steamed green vegetables and one portion of grilled salmon fish or chicken and at 7 pm a large portion of tossed green salad topped with fish flakes. As snacks throughout the day oranges, apples and bananas are utilized. In addition, Justin Fortune, Manny Pacquiao's conditioning coach, puts Gabi through a variety of well thought-out and vigorous conditioning and strength drills on a daily basis at the Wild Card Gym. This combination is enabling Gabi to reduce his weight and is putting him in top physical form without any deterrence to his over all health. Gabi?s weight as of Sept. 17 was 120 lbs. Gabi states ?I have been training very hard for my US debut fight as I know my opponent is very good. I thank Mr. Grunsky for giving me this opportunity to have my first fight on American Soil in Stockton, California. On September 23 I will give 110 percent in the ring in an effort to entertain the people of Stockton.? Gabi then went on to state that, ?Coming to America I have made great sacrifices leaving my friends, family, beautiful wife Eva Joy and our 10 month old son Prince. But I know in my heart I will give a better life for my family when I fulfill my dream of becoming World Champion. I pray and ask for the continued support of my family, fans and country men as when I return to the Philippines I hope to be Champion of the World?. END Click here to view a list of other articles written by Salven L. Lagumbay. |
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