Saturday, September 30, 2006 GenSan boxer out to avenge Gabi's loss By Charles Raymond A. Maxey
ANOTHER Filipino fighter will take a shot at boxing glory when challenges Armenia-born Australian Vic Darchinyan for the latter's International Boxing Organization (IBO) and International Boxing Federation (IBF) flyweight titles on October 7 at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.
Glenn Donaire, aiming to win a world boxing title for his native General Santos City just like Manny Pacquiao and Rolando Navarrete, will have his hands full against the power-punching Darchiynan in their 12-round bout which serves as the main undercard of the Diego Corrales-Joel Casamayor battle.
But, Donaire, called "The Filipino Bomber," in unfazed.
The GenSan fighter said he is ready for Darchinyan, known as "Raging Bull," come fight time, and even vowed to avenge the defeat of his friend Diosado Gabi at the hands of the champion last March.
Gabi, a native of Lasang, Davao City, tried to claim the title against Darchinyan but failed as he suffered an 8th round KO.
In that fight, Gabi actually started strong and even outboxed Darchinyan in the earlier rounds. By the fifth round, Darchinyan started to land big shots and eventually caught Gabi with a jarring left to end the fight.
"Gabi is a good friend of mine and we had some good times together before his fight. Too bad he was depressed the time he fought Darchinyan and wasn't mentally ready to he got knocked out. I want to do same to Darchinyan and revenge the defeat of my friend Gabi," Donaire told the Cebu-based Philboxing.com website during a press conference Friday in California.
"I really feel good about this fight and I am ready as ever. It will be nice to bring home a title and bring pride to our people," Donaire added.
Donaire, who holds a record of 16-2-1 with 9 KOs, said he is aware of Darchinyan's power, but has a specific game plan against the champ the moment they step into the ring.
Darchinyan is, indeed, a power puncher and boasts of a fearsome record of 26-0 with 21 KOs.
Darchinyan said he also stop Donaire but refused to predict what round.
"I tell you what, I will knock him out with either hand, left or right. After the fight, he will no longer be the Filipino Bomber," Darchinyan said.
Darchinyan was referring to the statements earlier made by Donaire that the champion relies mainly on his powerful left hand.
"I am sure I will knock him out," added Darchinyanw, who will be fighting sans trainer Jeff Fenech in his corner for the first time.
It was reported that Fenech and Darchinyan had a disagreement, which forced the former to leave his boxer in the middle of his training.
The 26-year-old Donaire lost to Z Gorres last year, but has won his last three fights, which should make him very confident in going up against Darchinyan.
