Hard-hitting Vic (Raging Bull) Darchinyan overpowered Filipino challenger Diosdado (Prince) Gabi and scored a one-punch knockout at 2:42 of the eighth round to retain the International Boxing Federation and International Boxing Organization flyweight titles at the Chumas Casino Resort in Santa Ynez, California, last Friday night (yesterday morning, Manila).
Gabi, 26, had nothing to be ashamed of. He never backed down in pushing the fight to Darchinyan and engaged the physically imposing Armenia-born Australian in a toe-to-toe duel that proved to be a fatal mistake.
Ignoring trainer Freddie Roach’s instructions to slip and slide, Gabi went for broke in trying for a knockout and paid dearly for it. Darchinyan landed a powerful left straight to the jaw during a fierce exchange and Gabi collapsed on his back in the eighth round. Glassy-eyed, Gabi courageously got up before referee David Mendoza counted to 10 but was ruled unfit to continue.
For a while, it looked like an upset was in the making as Gabi, a heavy underdog, started strong to take the first two rounds with dizzying one-two combinations that appeared to befuddle Darchinyan. The champion seemed to take Gabi lightly and showboated in the early rounds until he realized the tough Filipino wouldn’t go away easily.
After four rounds, ringside TV commentator Steve Farhood saw it even. But as Darchinyan began to settle down, Gabi started to fade. Darchinyan stepped up his attack in the seventh round and unloaded jarring lefts. In a display of grit, Gabi refused to retreat and stood his ground until the fateful end.
Darchinyan was taller by four inches and dwarfed the smaller Filipino. He looked much bigger and was never hurt by Gabi. Despite the size difference, Gabi was in the thick of the fight from start to finish. He vowed to leave everything in the ring and he did. Gabi walked out a beaten fighter but his honor was intact.
It was Mendoza’s second world title assignment. His first came two years ago when Joan Guzman halted Agapito Sanchez in a World Boxing Organization superbantamweight championship fight in San Diego. Mendoza’s biggest job so far was working Jesus Chavez’ split decision win over Carlos Hernandez in a World Boxing Council superfeatherweight title eliminator in Los Angeles last year.
Darchinyan, 30, predicted an early knockout but had to work extra hard to finish Gabi off in the eighth.
“Nobody can beat me,” said the Sydney Olympian. “Nobody can run away from me for 12 rounds. I am fit. I am strong. When I go into the ring, I am a different person. I cannot see anyone than my opponent. I have always been a hard hitter. It is a God-given talent but I train hard. I do about 1,000 push-ups a day. I am a power puncher but I can box as well as power punch.”
Gabi’s former manager and North Cotabato Gov. Manny Pi?ol failed to watch the fight on TV but when informed of the result, said he would welcome back the fighter from the US with open arms.
Gabi left behind his wife and son in Davao City last August to find fame and fortune in the US. Although Gabi had no contract with Pi?ol, he indicated in an application for a boxer’s license last year that the Governor’s brother Noli was his manager. That meant Gabi should’ve gotten Pi?ol’s consent before agreeing to terms on a new contract with Canadian lawyer Michael Koncz. When Gabi slipped out of the country, Pi?ol filed a case of estafa against him and alerted the Bureau of Immigration of the charge.
But yesterday, Pi?ol said he is dropping the case against Gabi.
“My heart bleeds for Gabi,” said Pi?ol. “He was lured into the lion’s den. I don’t think he realized what he got himself into. I pity him. Of course, I’ll welcome him back home. His wife Joy is my relative, the daughter of my caretaker in Kidapawan. But I will never take him back as my fighter again. Boxing is not a source of livelihood for me, it’s just a passion.”
Pi?ol took over Gabi’s career when he was earning only P5,000 a fight and turned him into a world contender.
“I’m not claiming to be a better manager than anyone,” said Pi?ol. “But I was offered the Darchinyan fight last year but I turned it down. A foreigner saw me in General Santos City offering to buy Gabi but I refused. He later stole Gabi and took him to the US.”
Pi?ol’s brother Soc said he begged for Gabi not to leave but couldn’t hold him back as Koncz reportedly paid P300,000 to the fighter’s father Diosdado Sr. as a bonus to manage his career.
Pi?ol said he has heard stories about Gabi?s supposedly shabby treatment in the US and can only sympathize with the fighter.
“What can I do?” said Pinol. “Koncz tried to call me at least six times the week before the fight but I never answered. He probably wanted to invite me to watch the fight.”
There were reports from Los Angeles that Gabi burned himself out training more hours after his regular workouts at the Wild Card Gym on Koncz’ orders and had to do odd jobs to make a little extra money.
A reliable source said Gabi lived under stressful conditions in Koncz’ home in Orange County and was told not to get involved in business negotiations related to his career, like when he was offered $10,000 to wear a temporary tattoo on his back.
Once, Gabi cried in the gym, talking about his life in Orange County to another fighter.
Koncz, however, said he never meant to disrespect Pi?ol. “All I’m doing is helping out Gabi by finding fights for him in the US,” said Koncz. “My interest is to help out Filipino fighters, that’s all. I don’t steal fighters away from managers. I want to work with their managers as a US contact.”
The loss to Darchinyan dropped Gabi’s record to 26-3-1, with 19 KOs. Darchinyan improved his record to 25-0, with 20 KOs.
