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Wednesday, February 16, 2005
Gabi trains sight on world crown
AFTER another scintillating victory, Filipino flyweight Diosdado "Prince" Gabi is ready to go for a world-title shot.
North Cotabato Governor Manny Piñol, Gabi's chief backer, said they will go for either the International Boxing Federation or World Boxing Council crown before June this year.
Piñol made the announcement immediately after Gabi crushed Jimmy Pinontoan of Indonesia in the first round Saturday at the Royal Mandaya Hotel.
Gabi, 25, sent Pinontoan to dreamland with a single punch--a left-hand shot to the rib cage area that stunned the dinner-boxing crowd because of its quick ending.
It was the second meeting between the two boxers. In June of 2002, Gabi and Pinontoan fought to a draw in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Gabi, ranked 7th by the WBC and 11th in the IBF, had earlier posted a second-round KO win over a Thai opponent last December.
According to Piñol, their American business manager Michael Koncz is currently negotiating with the camp of IBF champion Vic Darchinyan of Australia.
The WBC title-holder is Pongsaklek Wongjongkam, the man Gabi was set to fight last year had the Thai champ not backed out at the last minute.
If the negotiations go smoothly, Gabi may face Darchinyan early May this year in the United States.
Piñol also plans to send Gabi to the US the soonest possible time and conduct their world title preparations in several noted American gyms. (CRAM)
For Bisaya stories from Davao. Click here.
(February 16, 2005 issue)
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