Gabi bound for Kronk gym

World Boxing Council International flyweight champion Diosdado (Prince) Gabi of Lasang, Davao City, will be trained by the legendary Emanuel Steward at the Kronk gym in Detroit.

North Cotabato Gov. Emmanuel Piñol’s brother Soc told The Star yesterday Steward has agreed to train Gabi after reviewing tapes of his recent fights. Steward was contacted by Gov. Piñol six months ago through his publicist Helga Risoy. Gov. Piñol was referred to Risoy, a Norwegian, by common Filipino friends in Las Vegas.

Steward confirmed the Filipino’s arrival to The Star in a brief interview before Game 5 of the recent National Basketball Association Finals at the Palace in Auburn Hills.

Gabi, 24, has a 22-2-1 record, with 17 KOs. The eldest of 11 children, Gabi is a product of the Davao City amateur boxing program of late Councilor Bing Reta. He was a simon-pure champion, capturing gold medals at the Arafura Games in Darwin, Australia, and the Mindanao Open championships in Kidapawan.

Gabi turned pro in November 1999 and after 11 straight wins, lost a close decision to unbeaten Samson Kratiangdaeng Gym in a World Boxing Federation superflyweight title bout in Udon Thani, Thailand, in May 2001. Gabi’s only other loss was a split decision to Sot Singwangcha in a World Boxing Association Asia-Pacific junior bantamweight championship fight in Bangkok a year later.

Gabi has won his last nine outings, seven by KO.

According to Soc, Steward has invited Gabi to live in his Detroit mansion.

"Only one other fighter, Sugar Boy Meyers, has been invited by Steward to stay in his home," said Soc. "After reviewing Gabi’s tapes, Steward told us he likes his style, his speed, his footwork, his ability to anticipate what his opponents will do and his flashiness which reminds him of Sugar Ray Leonard. Gabi is not as strong as Manny (Pacquiao) but I think Steward can develop his power like what he did to Tommy Hearns."

Gov. Piñol, who was recently reelected to a third straight term, plans to send Gabi to the US late this month. Accompanying Gabi will be Soc and Gov. Piñol’s other brother Noli.

Steward, 59, has worked the corners of at least 27 world champions including Hearns, Leonard, Julio Cesar Chavez, Oscar de la Hoya, Evander Holyfield, Leon Spinks, Aaron Pryor, Jeff Fenech and Gaby Canizales. He compiled a 94-3 amateur record and won the Golden Gloves title as a bantamweight in 1963. He never turned pro and instead trained fighters to achieve success in the ring. He produced his first world champion, lightweight Hilmer Kenty, in 1980. Steward guided seven of his students to capture Golden Gloves crowns in 1971. At the 1984 Olympics, his wards Frank Tate and Steve McCrory won gold medals.

"Steward is a legend and a Hall of Famer," said Soc. "Gabi will learn a lot from him. What we regard highly is Steward’s experience. He’s a good person, too. He’s not charging a fee. We hope he can be Gabi’s business manager in the US and we will arrange a sharing agreement."

Gabi joined Gov. Piñol’s stable after disengaging from previous manager Roger Sumampong and signed a five-year contract. He is married to Joy Polines of Mlang, North Cotabato, where Gov. Piñol was once Mayor. The Gabis are expecting their first child in October.

Soc said negotiations are underway for Gabi to fight for the world title in October. "The offer is for a purse of $7,000 but we’re asking for $10,000," he said. "We’re also trying to book Gabi in the undercard of the de la Hoya-Hopkins fight in September. If Gabi is better off campaigning in the US and foregoing the world title shot in October, we will study that option. Our priority now is for Gabi to train under Steward and become a better fighter with his guidance."

Soc called Gabi the uncrowned world flyweight champion. "He’s a perfect boxer," said Soc. "We’ve studied tapes of the different flyweight champions, except Lorenzo Parra, and we’re confident Gabi can beat them all. Gabi isn’t tall — he’s only 5-3 — but his reach is incredible. His hands reach down to almost his knees. In sparring with featherweights, you can see how long Gabi’s reach is when he throws his jabs."

Soc said Gov. Piñol’s dream is to develop a world champion whom Filipinos can be proud of. "Gabi comes from a poor family," said Soc. "His father fishes for a living and still uses the old method of tusuk-tusok whle his mother sells the catch in the market. Their income is dependent on how much fish is caught and sold. Gabi is now the family’s breadwinner. If Gabi becomes a world champion, his story will be an inspiration to all Filipinos. He will go from rags to riches."

Gabi has victimized a slew of top-ranked Filipino fighters, including Randy Mangubat, Roselito Campana, Eric Barcelona, Flash Morillo, Alfren Bulala and Felix Marfa. Last year, he beat Indonesians Jimm Pinontuay and Rahman Kilikili in Jakarta.

"Gabi is ripe for a world title shot," said Soc. "We call him the Prince because he fights like Naseem Hamed. With Steward in his corner, we’re confident Gabi will be the next Filipino world champion."