Talented Diosdado “Prince” Gabi of Kidapawan City will attempt to become the next Filipino boxing star when he challenges World Boxing Council flyweight champ Pongsaklek Wongjongkam in Thailand on October 8. The southpaw Gabi, currently ranked WBC no. 12 and holder of the WBC International title, was chosen to face Wongjongkam owing to his impressive credentials which include 22 wins, 2 losses, 1 draw with 17 knockouts. Kidapawan City-based Socrates Piñol, in an interview yesterday, informed SecondsOut that his ward will be leaving for the United States very soon to hook up with legendary trainer Emmanuel Steward in order to get the best training available to beat such a formidable world champ as Wongjongkam. “We are sending Gabi to the United States right after we take care of his visa. Steward is highly anticipating his arrival at his Kronk Gym in Detroit, and we look forward to working with the legendary trainer,” Pinol said. The Thai boxing hero boasts of a fearsome 51-2 win-loss slate adorned with 28 knockouts and has been unbeaten in his last 42 fights dating back to 1996 when he was knocked out by Filipino Jerry Pahayahay in the fifth round. Pongsaklek had won the WBC title with a shock first-round knockout win over Filipino Malcolm Tunacao in March, 2001 and has since successfully defended the title nine times, even registering the quickest knockout win in flyweight history when he crushed Japanese Daisuke Naito, inside 0:58 of the opening round.
