DIOSDADO “Prince” Gabi will have his family and North Cotabato Governor Manny Pi?ol as his inspirations when he steps into the ring on September 23 to fight Mexican Jose Alfredo Tirado in Stockton, California.
Gabi, 26, who hails from Lasang, Davao City, said he is even hoping that Pi?ol will come to see his future fights in the United States.
“I sincerely hope the governor will come and watch my fights in the near future as his presence will help boost my moral,” said Gabi, who will fight Tirado in a 10-round encounter at the Stockton Civic Auditorium.
“I dedicate my Sept. 23 fight in Stockton, California to my family and Governor Pi?ol,” Gabi said in a statement sent to Davao sports journalists by his manager Michael Koncz.
Pi?ol is Gabi’s former chief backer who was responsible for guiding the boxer’s career and making him of what he is today.
Under Pi?ol’s care, Gabi rose to become one of the top-rated flyweight contenders in the world.
He is a former World Boxing Council international fly champ and is currently listed No. 5 in the WBC list.
But the relationship between the two soured when Gabi left Pi?ol unceremoniously and went with Koncz to the United States last August.
Because of this, Pi?ol sued Gabi.
But Gabi said he had reasons in leaving Pi?ol and that is to pursue his dream of becoming a world champion.
“Even though at this point of my career we have parted ways, I have full appreciation for Gov. Pi?ol. Whether the governor accepts me or not, I will forever give him credit for assisting me and bringing me to where I am today,” said Gabi, who will be making his US debut.
