Diosdado Gabi has aspirations of taking over the flyweight division to provide for a better tomorrow for his family.
Gabi hopes to wrestle the IBF flyweight championship from Vic Darchinyan on Friday night in a 12 round bout at the Chumash Resort and Casino in Santa Ynez, CA. The Darchinyan vs. Gabi showdown will headline a seven-bout “ShoBox: The New Generation” card which is presented by Gary Shaw Productions.
Gabi (26-2-1, 18 KOs) from Davao City, Philippines, is coming off a fifth round technical decision victory over Jose Tirado in September in Stockton, CA.
The young 26-year-old has been training for the last three and a half months for this world title shot at LA Fitness in Los Angeles. Gabi has also been training at the famous Wild Card Gym in Hollywood.
Earlier this year, Gabi was hopeful to fight WBC Flyweight champion Pongsaklek Wonjongkam but that proposed matchup fell through. Currently, Gabi is rated #2 in the WBC, #4 by the IBF, and #13 by the WBO.
For Gabi, fighting for a world title is a blessing. Although he feels he has worked hard to get a title shot, Gabi was very humbled as well.
“I’m very happy for this opportunity,” said Gabi, who recently married and became a father for the first time within the last year.
“I’m very happy to represent the Philippines and all the people have wished me luck.”
Gabi will have one of the top flyweights in the world staring across the ring at him on Friday. Darchinyan surprised many when he dethroned then-champion Irene Pacheco by knockout in December 2004. In 2005, Darchinyan made two title defenses in his homeland of Australia, both of which were knockout victories.
Gabi shows respect toward the champion and knows it his encounter with Darchinyan is a tough task.
“I know that Vic is a good boxer,” analyzed Gabi, who made his professional debut in November of 1999. “He throws good amounts of punches. He has very good movement when he boxes.”
Another factor in the strategy is that both fighters are left-handed.
Gabi states that it will not matter so much when he faces Darchinyan in the ring.
“Sometimes it is good and sometimes it could be bad. I have no problem with him being left-handed. Even though I have fought mostly right-handed fighters, I have been sparring with numerous left-handed fighters. They have preparing me to get ready for this fight.”
Other than sparring, Gabi has maintained a vigorous training schedule for this fight, which includes completing 560 sit-ups a day. He has even worked with athletic & fitness instructors for strength and conditioning.
Manager Michael Koncz knows that Gabi is more than ready for this title opportunity.
“Gabi has been taunted by world title fights,” said Koncz, a boxing manager based in Southern California. “He has waited for a long time. Gabi is happy to fight for a world title. He has great support coming from his hometown. They have prayer meetings for him. He is ready for this title shot.”
Fellow countryman and world champion Manny Pacquiao has wished Gabi luck and said he would pray that he is victorious.
Although this endorsement humbles Gabi, he is taking this fight seriously. He is fighting for himself, his family, and his city.
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Tickets are still on sale at the Chumash Resort & Casino box office or by calling at 1-877-CHUMASH. Tickets are priced at $70, $50, $40, $30, and $20. Doors to the venue open at 5pm and the first bell is at 5:30pm local time.
Showtime will televise the Darchinyan-Gabi world title bout plus the Anthony Mora – Rustam Nugaev co-feature bout, beginning at 11 pm ET/PT.
Nick Charles will provide the play-by-play, while Steve Farhood will provide color commentary.
