Prince Gabi to become King?

The Prince who would be King is bidding to become a world champion.

Diosdado (Prince) Gabi of Davao City takes on International Boxing Federation (IBF) flyweight champion Vic (Raging Bull) Darchinyan of Australia in a scheduled 12-round title bout at the Chumash Casino and Resort in Santa Ynez, California, on March 3, it was announced by the Filipino challenger’s manager Michael Koncz in a long distance telephone call yesterday.

Koncz said the fight is the main event of a Showtime program to be shown on the Show-Box TV series and will be promoted by Gary Shaw who signed up Darchinyan a few days ago. Shaw is also Manny Pacquiao’s US promoter.

"I talked to Manny on the phone the other day and he told me he’s coming for the Gabi fight so I’m excited about that," said Koncz.

Gabi is the IBF’s No. 1 contender in the 112-pound division. He is also ranked No. 2 by the World Boxing Council (WBC). When Gabi moved to the US last August, he was rated No. 5 by the WBC and No. 10 by the IBF.

Hall-of-Famer Emanuel Steward of the fabled Kronk Gym in Detroit was once being considered to train Gabi but the 26-year-old southpaw hooked up with Freddie Roach at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles instead.

The unbeaten Armenian-born Darchinyan, whose trainer is former world champion Jeff Fenech, is as tough as nails with a record of 24-0, including 19 KOs. He has won his last six fights inside the distance.

Darchinyan, 30, won the IBF crown via an 11th round stoppage of Irene Pacheco in Florida in 2004. He annexed the International Boxing Organization (IBO) title and retained his IBF diadem by halting Mzukisi Sikali in the eighth round of a unification bout in Australia last March. Then, he stopped challenger Jair Jimenez in the fifth round to keep both championships in Sydney last August.

Filipino Silvio Glenogo was knocked out by Darchinyan in the second round in Sydney in 2001.

Gabi, who is 3 1/2 inches shorter than Darchinyan, has not lost in his last 14 outings since dropping a 12-round decision to Sot Sor Veerapol in Thailand in 2002. His only other setback was a decision to Samson Dutch Boy Gym in a World Boxing Federation superflyweight title bout in Thailand in 2001. Gabi’s record is 26-2-1, with 18 KOs.

Last September, Gabi made an auspicious US debut by beating Jose Alfredo Tirado on a fifth round technical decision in Stockton. The fight was stopped due to a nasty cut in Gabi’s left eyebrow inflicted by an accidental headbutt. Gabi was ahead in the three judges’ scorecards, 50-45, 50-45 and 49-46, when the referee called it a night.

Gabi dedicated the win to North Cotabato Gov. Manny Piñol who nurtured his career until he blossomed into a world contender.

It was estimated that Pinol invested about P4 million in Gabi. A misunderstanding between Gabi and one of Pinol’s brothers led to an unsavory breakup. Gabi backed out of a WBC flyweight title eliminator that Pinol had arranged and said he was retiring from the ring. Gabi later "un-retired" and left for the US with Koncz as his new manager.

"I never meant to disrespect the governor," said Koncz. "I kept him posted on what I was doing from the start. I premised my actions on the assumption that Gabi was a free agent and had no existing contract with a manager. All I’m doing is helping out Gabi by giving him a break in the US."

For his part, Gabi issued this statement:

"Even though at this point in my career, we have parted ways, I have full appreciation for Gov. Piñol. Whether the governor accepts me or not, I will forever consider him as my co-manager. Also, I will always give him credit for assisting to bring me where I am today."

Gabi has invited Piñol to watch his title fight at ringside as "his presence will boost my morale."

Gabi lives in Koncz’ Los Angeles home. He left behind his wife Joy Polines and their son Prince in their North Cotabato home to campaign in the US and vowed to return a world champion.

Koncz, a Canadian lawyer, said Roach has polished Gabi’s skills in the gym. "Gabi used to go in there to try to finish off his opponent with one big punch," said Koncz. "Now, he’s learned to be patient. He’s doubling and tripling up on his jab. His defense is phenomenal. He’s so elusive in the ring."

Koncz previously booked US fights for Bobby Pacquiao and Rey (Boom Boom) Bautista and has lined up Z Gorres and Czar Amonsot to see action against Mexican opponents at the Orleans Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas this Friday (Saturday morning, Manila).