It’s now or never for Gabi

Diosdado (Prince) Gabi of Davao City will let it all hang out in trying to wrest the International Boxing Federation and International Boxing Organization flyweight crowns from unbeaten Armenia-born Vic (Raging Bull) Darchinyan of Australia in a 12-round battle of southpaws at the Chumash Casino Resort in Santa Ynez, California, this morning (Manila time).

It’s the chance of a lifetime for Gabi who left his wife and son in Davao City last August to find fame and fortune in the US. His dream is to follow in Manny Pacquiao’s footsteps. He promised to return home a world champion.

A heavy favorite, Darchiyan is in the way of making Gabi’s dream come true.

Gabi’s trainer Freddie Roach couldn’t care less about the odds. "Gabi’s in great shape and I feel an upset," he said. "We are coming to win and it will be exciting."

World Boxing Council lightflyweight champion Brian Viloria, who’s in town for a visit, said yesterday if Gabi survives the first six rounds and fights Darchinyan from a distance, he’ll improve his chances of victory.

Viloria has sparred with Gabi at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles and knows the challenger’s capabilities.

"Gabi’s slick and hard to hit," said Viloria. "Once, while sparring in the gym, he was trapped in a corner, bent down low, crawled between the legs of his sparmate then opened up with a flurry when the other guy turned around. Of course, he won’t do that against Darchinyan. What Gabi will do is to try to outbox and outsmart Darchinyan. I realize Gabi is a huge underdog and his chances to win are supposed to be slim. But you’ll never know in boxing."

The judges are Lou Moret, David Denkin and Pat Russell while David Mendoza will be the third man in the ring.

Gabi’s former manager and North Cotabato Gov. Manny Piñol said as a Filipino fan, he hopes the challenger wins.

"Gabi could win if Darchinyan makes the mistake of carrying the fight to him," said Piñol. "Gabi is a good counterpuncher. But he doesn’t have Pacquiao’s heart and might be intimidated by Darchinyan’s power."

No doubt, the Australian is a hard hitter. He has scored 19 knockouts in a 24-0 record and his last six fights ended inside the distance.

However, Roach said Gabi is prepared to neutralize Darchinyan’s vaunted power.

"Gabi trained really hard," said Roach. "We had great sparring and we got some big punchers because we know Vic is dangerous. He is heavy-handed and so it is something we have respect for. I just think Gabi is a better boxer and we are going to prove that and show it. There is going to be a lot of action because the small weight divisions throw a lot more punches than the bigger guys."

Roach assured that despite Darchinyan’s high knockout rate, Gabi won’t run away.

"We respect the champion’s punching power but Gabi is not going to run from him," continued Roach. "He is motivated and not afraid. Gabi is not going to lie down and give up without giving it everything he has. Gabi will go in there, give 110 percent and he will leave everything in the ring."

For his part, Gabi guaranteed a fight to the finish.

"I feel 100 percent and I am happy that I got the opportunity for a fight with a champion," said Gabi. "I will work hard to win. I will try to land hard punches and go in as much as possible. This is a great, great honor, not only for my family but my whole country because it is really an honor when you win something like a big fight. This is a big turnabout in my life. I am ready to counter whatever it is that is going to happen in the fight. I have never been scared in any fight that I’ve had or will have in the future."

Roach, who also trains Pacquiao, said the People’s Champion and Gabi fight differently. "Manny is more close-up," he noted. "Gabi is a better boxer and thinks a lot more. Gabi is a hard-working kid, a dedicated guy. We are going to do the best we can."

Darchinyan, 30, has no respect for Gabi and said he will win by knockout. Selling the Filipino short could be his undoing.

"Gabi is a good fighter but I am good and I want to tell Gabi to choose for me a round, any round and I will stop him in any round, any minute," said Darchinyan. "If he does not run from me, it will be a first round knockout. I don’t know too much about Gabi. I know he has never been stopped. He will be this time. I will stop him. I want everyone to see how I will stop him. I am a much stronger fighter and I believe in my ability. I am perfectly comfortable with my power and America is the best place you can show your power. I think everyone will love my style."

Darchinyan started boxing when he was eight years old and said he isn’t tired of beakbusting. "I have a lot to show the world now, how I can be better in every fight," he said. "I am excited and it is not pressure. I love boxing. I love showing my power so that everyone can see it."

Darchinyan’s US promoter Gary Shaw is staging the "ShoBox: The New Generation" TV main event which will be telecast on the Solar Sports network at 12:30 this afternoon with a replay at 9:30 p.m.

Darchinyan represented Armenia at the 2000 Sydney Olympics and made it to the quarterfinals where he lost a 15-8 decision to Bulat Jumadilov of Kazakhstan. Three-time world champion Jeff Fenech saw Darchinyan at the Olympics and was impressed by his style. Fenech convinced Darchinyan to stay in Australia and join his stable.

After compiling a 152-18 amateur record, Darchinyan turned pro in November 2000–a year later than Gabi’s debut.

Gabi, 26, has a 26-2-1 record, with 18 KOs including eight in the first round. His only setbacks were decisions to Thais in Thailand. Gabi has never been stopped but was floored once by Randy Mangubat whom he beat on a technical decision.

Gabi’s handicap is he cuts easily. His last two fights ended in technical decisions because of cuts caused by accidental headbutting. That’s why Gabi can’t afford a slow start–he’s got to come out smoking from the first round to anticipate the eventuality of a stoppage due to cuts.

Roach said Gabi is ready to rumble.

"We have been in the gym for two months," said Roach. "When the fight came about, we were excited about it as world title fights don’t come everyday. So we jumped on it. It will be a great fight for Gabi and we are definitely ready."