| |
|
Gabi Faces Rivas in Larios Undercard
By Winchell Campos PhilBoxing.com Sat, 07 Oct 2006
TUCSON, Arizona--Diosdado "Prince" Gabi Jr. gets to show his wares on national US television when he takes on young local boy Felipe Rivas in the undercard of Oscar Larios' comeback fight Friday night (Saturday in Manila) at the Desert Diamond Casino in this border city here.
After hurdling Thursday's weigh-in and with the help of Manny Pacquiao's Filipino trainer Buboy Fernandez who lent his expertise in pre-fight conditioning, Gabi ended anxious moments in making weight and promised to put on an impressive show knowing that a huge audience will be watching.
Gabi faces Rivas, a 22-year-old fighter from nearby Phoenix, Arizona, who is an inch taller. The 5'2" Gabi, 29-3-1 (19 KOs), has a huge advantage in experience and a three-inch advantage in reach.
"Sana maganda ang ipapakita ko sa laban na ito. Inspired ako at sana ipagdasal ako ng mga kababayan ko dahil para sa kanila ang laban na ito," said Gabi, who turned 27 three weeks ago. "Mexicano ang kalaban ko kaya ini-expect ko na maganda ang laban na ito," said Gabi.
In his first fight under Golden Boy Promotions, Gabi came in at 115 1/2 pounds, just a shade over the contracted weight of 115 pounds. Since his fight is not a championship match, a one-pound allowance is allowed.
Superfeatherweight champion Marco Antonio Barrera, a partner of Golden Boy Promotions, led the ceremonies, even as Larios, the main attraction here, hurdled the 126-pound limit. He faces journeyman Roberto Bonilla.
Trainer and manager Freddie Roach is set to plane in before the fight which will be shown over the Telefutura channel and he expects Gabi to be on top of his game, having trained well at the Wild Card gym in Los Angeles.
"Excited na ako para lumaban at handa na ako. Gusto ko na ring umuwi dahil sabik na sabik na ako sa aking pamilya," said Gabi, who has been promised a bigger fight soon as well as a possible title shot in the near future.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Winchell Campos.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
A TRIO OF MATCHUPS ADDED TO "CHAMPIONING MENTAL HEALTH: A NIGHT OF BOXING" PRESENTED BY 555 MEDIA AND BASH BOXING , Fri, 09 May 2025SHAW SURGES AS CAPITO STUMBLES IN TITLE DEFENCE | 2025 UK OPEN POOL CHAMPIONSHIP , Fri, 09 May 20252025 USA Boxing Youth Men’s and Women’s High Performance Teams announced , Fri, 09 May 2025Jessie Villasin chess tournament on Sunday By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 09 May 2025Press Conference Notes: San Diego Favorite Emanuel Navarrete Set to Reignite Mexico-Philippines Rivalry against Charly Suarez , Fri, 09 May 2025SALITA PROMOTIONS PRESENTS: UNDISPUTED HEAVYWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP CLARESSA SHIELDS vs. LANI DANIELS SATURDAY, JULY 26 * LITTLE CAESARS ARENA , Fri, 09 May 2025Unbeaten Anthony Velazquez pitched shutout at home in Springfield , Fri, 09 May 2025TYSON FURY VOTED THE MOST ENTERTAINING BOXER IN THE WORLD, ACCORDING TO BRITISH FANS , Fri, 09 May 2025Undefeated super middleweight contender Darius Fulghum preparing to ‘Make a big splash’ vs. Bek Melikuziev , Fri, 09 May 2025OKC Routs Denver; 149-106, Ties Series; Semis Series in East Remain Topsy-turvy as Boston Goes Down 0-2 With 91-90 Loss to NY By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Thu, 08 May 2025SHAW SENDS A MESSAGE IN HUNT FOR UK OPEN GLORY | 2025 UK OPEN POOL CHAMPIONSHIP , Thu, 08 May 2025WBO presents the Amanda Serrano Championships , Thu, 08 May 2025GM Antonio faces tough competition in ASEAN Seniors Chess Championships in Penang, Malaysia By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 08 May 2025Boxing: Entertainment Sport or Sport Entertainment? By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Wed, 07 May 2025JIM LAMPLEY'S BOOK TOUR IS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA THIS WEEK! , Wed, 07 May 2025CAPITO IGNITES TITLE DEFENCE IN STYLE | 2025 UK OPEN POOL CHAMPIONSHIP , Wed, 07 May 2025Sol Levinson: The Man Whose Gloves Elevated Boxing By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Tue, 06 May 2025Undefeated Cuban Heavyweight Prospect Dainier Pero Finishes Intense Las Vegas Training Camp Ahead of May 9 MVP Main Event on DAZN , Tue, 06 May 2025The Past Week in Action 5 May 2025: Inoue-Cardenas Saves Historic Boxing Weekend; Canelo-Scull Sets New Record for Fewest Punches Thrown By Eric Armit, , Tue, 06 May 2025Sampson Lewkowicz Congratulates Cardenas, Romero and Espinoza and Vows to Make Next Year's Cinco de Mayo Unforgettable, Highlighted by David Benavidez Facing the Winner of Bivol vs. Beterbiev , Tue, 06 May 2025Saving the Best for Last: GSW Upstages Raw Rockets By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Tue, 06 May 2025Antonio, Bagamasbad face tough competition in Woman FIDE Master Sheerie Joy Lomibao Open Rapid Chess Tournament on May 18 By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 06 May 2025Andres “Savage” Cortes Finishes Strong Training Camp Ahead of Crucial May 10 Clash Against Salvador Jimenez at Pechanga Arena San Diego , Tue, 06 May 2025SALITA PROMOTIONS and ALL THE SMOKE FIGHT PRESENT HALL OF FAME FIGHT NIGHT , Tue, 06 May 2025IBA embraces Bare Knuckle Boxing , Tue, 06 May 2025 |

|
|
|
|
|