Gabi in do-or-die title bid

Filipino challenger Diosdado (Prince) Gabi said the other day he will do what it takes–at the risk of his own life–to dethrone unbeaten International Boxing Federation and International Boxing Organization flyweight champion Vic (Raging Bull) Darchinyan in their scheduled 12-round bout at the Chumash Casino Resort in Santa Ynez, California, on Friday (Saturday morning, Manila).

Both Darchinyan’s titles will be on the line in the battle of southpaws.

"In my heart, I know I am going to win," said Gabi through his Canadian manager Michael Koncz. "But if I don’t, I will leave everything in the ring."

Gabi’s declaration only meant one thing. It’s do or die for the Prince who would be King.

"I left my wife (Joy) and young son (Prince) behind when I came to the US last August to pursue a world title," he said. "I think about them all the time. I worry a lot about them. I worry they will run out of food. We come from a very poor family. My father is a fisherman. All we eat sometimes is what he catches. I try to send them as much money as often as I can."

Gabi, 26, said he will return home to the Philippines only as a world champion.

"Twice, I was promised world title fights but they were postponed," he continued. "This fight means so much, not just to me but for my family and everybody from my hometown of Davao City. They have never had a world champion. It makes me proud to know that I have the whole city behind me for this fight. There are people praying for me to win. They are so supportive of me. It makes me work harder. I train six days a week and do 564 sit-ups a day."

Gabi said there is no tomorrow for him because if he blows this chance, there will probably not be another opportunity to capture a world crown in the near future.

"I have waited five years for this opportunity," said Gabi who lost a decision to then-World Boxing Federation superflyweight champion Samson Dutch-Boy in his first attempt to win a world title in 2001. "I am ready to fight. I am very eager and excited. I am confident and in great shape. I feel I have the style to win the title. I respect Darchinyan and know he is a strong and powerful puncher. He hits like a featherweight. I have a lot of knockouts in my record but I don’t have the one-punch knockout power that he has. I feel I have good boxing ability and that is what I plan to do against Darchinyan. To stand and exchange would be a mistake. That’s what he wants. I am not a runner but I am faster than he is. I plan to use my speed to give him angles. I want to be elusive and make him work to catch up to me."

Manny Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach will be in Gabi’s corner for the bout which airs live on the US Showtime cable network as the main event of "ShoBox: The New Generation."

The fight will be telecast at 12:30 p.m. this Saturday on the Solar Sports channel with a replay at 9:30 that night.

Tickets for the match are priced from a low of $30 to a high of $70.

Darchinyan, 30, was born in Armenia and now lives in Australia. His trainer is former three-time world champion Jeff Fenech and his US promoter is Gary Shaw whose fighters include Diego Corrales, Winky Wright and Pacquiao.

Darchinyan has shown no respect for Gabi and is clearly looking beyond the Filipino in planning for his next fight. He could pay dearly for the overconfidence.

"After I take care of business with Gabi, I want Jorge Arce," said Darchinyan, referring to the flamboyant World Boxing Council interim champion of Mexico. "We met face to face and I told him I wanted to fight him. He’s a tough fighter but he’s not smart at all. He comes straight at you. He doesn’t run. He comes forward and I can stop him. I know I can beat him. I will destroy him."

Roach said oddsmakers shouldn’t rule out a Gabi victory.

"Gabi has a lot of skills," he noted. "He can box and he’s got power, too. It’ll be a competitive fight."

As usual, Roach declined to predict the outcome and only said Gabi will come to fight and to win.

Gabi is giving up over four inches in height to Darchinyan and will try to dazzle the Armenian with his speed. He boasts a 26-2-1 record, with 18 KOs. Gabi has not lost in his last 14 outings dating back to 2002. His only setbacks were disputed decisions to Samson and another Thai, Sot Sor Veerapol, in Thailand.

Gabi has scored eight first round knockouts, indicating he’s a fast starter. Darchinyan’s record is 24-0, with 19 KOs and only one in the first round.