Friday, February 24, 2006
It's power v. skills in Darchinyan-Gabi fight
By Charles Raymond A. Maxey
THE coming championship fight between International Boxing Federation (IBF) flyweight champion Vic Darchinyan and Filipino challenger Diosdado Gabi is expected to be a showdown of power against skills.
Mike Koncz, Gabi's manager, said although they acknowledge that Darchinyan is a powerful puncher, his fighter will rely on his boxing skills to offset whatever advantage the champion has come fight time.
"This is about power versus skills. Darchinyan has the power but Gabi is the more skillful fighter between the two," Koncz told Sun.Star Davao Wednesday.
Darchinyan, born in Armenia but now fighting for Australia, puts his championship belt on the line against Gabi in a 12-round title clash on March 3 at the Chumash Casino Resort in Santa Ynez, California.
Darchiyan boosts of a ring record of 24-0 with 19 KOs and is regarded as the hardest puncher in the flyweight class Friday.
Gabi holds an equally impressive record of 26-2-1 with 18 KOs.
And although he is riding on a 13-match winning streak, with eight of those victories coming via the short route, Gabi clearly does not possess the kind of power Darchinyan has.
But Koncz is unfazed.
"Gabi has been training hard and wants to win this fight for himself, his family and country, specially his hometown Davao City. He is motivated and his confidence is overflowing," Koncz said.
Another good thing going for Gabi, Koncz said, is he has famed American trainer Freddie Roach in his corner.
"We have the best trainer in the world today, and Gabi is very impressive in training. He is determined," Koncz said.
For Bisaya stories from Davao. Click here. (February 24, 2006 issue)
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