Gabutan seeks better record in IBF

A WIN in tonight’s IBF title eliminator would mean bigger fights for Dayer Gabutan and even a crack at the world title.

Gabutan, the fighting pride of Besao, Mt. Province, will face a veteran in Vusi Malinga of South Africa at the Carnival City in Brakpan, South Africa.

“Pinaghandaan namin ito. Laban kung laban,” said Gabutan who has been locked up inside the Highland Boxing gym since January this year for a tougher training regimen which consists of at least 100 rounds of sparring.

Currently ranked no. 2 WBO, the reigning oriental bantamweight champion will stake his unbeaten record of 12 fights since 2009 and defended his title six times since winning the strap in 2010 against Jilo Merlin.

“We were thinking na ilaban si Dayer for the upcoming Strawberry festival dito sa Trinidad pero when we received the call for a shot sa title eliminator ng IBF, sinabi ko na ito na yung time for Dayer,” said manager Brico Santig of the Highland Boxing Gym.

Although faced in an unfamiliar territory, Gabutan’s trainer Joven Jorda said they will face toe-to-toe the knock out artist Malinga in front of a hostile crowd.

“Kung sa power lang siguro kaya naming sabayan yung Africano pero kung sa speed at liksi, lamang kami,” added Jorda who hooked up with Gabutan in November of 2011.

Jorda said they are seeing the fight to last until the 12 round but any knock out in the early rounds in favor of his 24 year old ward will be most welcomed during the fight.

The youthful Gabutan is being touted as a slight favorite going into the fight with a ring record of 18 wins, one loss and two draws that goes with nine knockouts including his recent second victory against Indonesian Lande Olin last December.

Malinga, who has a record of 20 wins with four losses and one draw, will have to shake off ring rust since his last fight was in June 2012.