Dayer Gabutan revs up for 4th title defense

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

CURRENT World Boxing Organization Oriental (WBO) bantamweight champion Dayer Gabutan is expected to return to the gym for another title defense next month.

Although everything is still in negotiation, Gabutan said he already started light training at the start of the year.

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“Walang pang malinaw kung sino ‘yung makakalaban ko pero by February siguardo ‘yun ‘yung next na title defense ko,” added Gabutan.

The Ambagiw, Besao, Mt. Province native successfully defended his title after stopping another Thai in Petch Twins Gym at the Kowloon Bay International Trade and Exhibition Centre in Hong Kong in September 2011.

Gabutan, who turned pro four years ago, captured his first professional boxing title when he defeated Jilo Merlin via a unanimous decision (116-113 twice and 115-113) in their 12-round minor title fight in 2010.

Gabutan will also seek his 17th career win and his 11th straight victory since losing to Richard Pumi-pic via a 7th round TKO in 2009.

Currently ranked sixth in the WBO bantamweight class, Gabutan is also being eyed to fight for the world title later this year after Filipino Nonito Donaire vacated the weight class who will now be fighting in the super bantamweight division.

Local promoter and Gabutan’s manager Brico Santig has also expressed his optimism the boxing titlist will also be included in one of Manny Pacquiao’s undercard in the near future.

“With his rankings up, we’re also lining up several fights for him in the near future and hopefully he could also land in the undercard of a future Pacquiao fight,” added Santig in an earlier interview.