WITH his second round conquest of Roilo Golez last weekend, Dayer Gabutan is being lined up for bigger fights hoping to get a crack at a championship belt this year.
Gabutan’s manager Brico Santig of the Highland Boxing Gym in La Trinidad said he is eyeing a regional belt for his ward who returned to the ring after 15 months of lay-off.
“We’re looking for a possible regional belt, maybe later this year depending on his schedule because we don’t want boxing to get in the way while he’s enrolled,” said Santig.
Santig believes Gabutan’s victory is a testament of the boxer’s patience and hardwork in the gym.
“Dayer just resumed training four months ago and he has shown that he still has the power and will to became a champion again,” added Santig.
“Siguro magandang bigyan muna natin ulit siya ng isa pang laban dito before natin isabak sa isang title belt. Hopefully mag tuloy- tuloy ulit sya sa boxing,” Santig conintued.
Gabutan made short work of Golex in their supposed 10 round match-up in the main event of the "Highland Brawl: The Return Bout" with a second round technical knockout.
Prior to their rematch, Gabutan was on a two fight losing skid, vowing to Xiaojun Qui in September 2015 for the WBC Silver super bantamweight title and a non title fight match against Golez in June 2016.
Gabutan last won against Mike Espanosa via a fourth round TKO in 2014 after three losses against Rey Ramos, Takhiro Shigee and Vusi Malinga.
“Siguro concentrate muna ako sa pag-aaral and kung may time training ng kunti habang walang laban,” added Gabutan who once held the WBO Oriental bantamweight title from 2010 to 2012.
Gabutan said he sees no third encounter against Golez after avenging his fourth round knockout in 2016.
“Hindi na siguro,” added the Ambagiw, Besao native Gabutan. “Antayin ko na lang kung ano ang plano ng manager ko at yun ang paghahandaan namin.” (Roderick Osis)