Gabi in a hurry to come home

LAS VEGAS — It took flyweight contender Diosdado Gabi of Davao City only 96 seconds to dispose of former world champion Mauricio Pastrana of Colombia in the undercard of the Brian Viloria-Omar Nino Romero main event at the Orleans Arena here Thursday night.

Pastrana, 33, didn’t know what hit him. Gabi didn’t either.

At the sound of the bell, the Filipino buzzsaw—smaller by at least three inches—charged into Pastrana who clearly didn’t expect the explosive start considering Gabi was coming off an eighth round knockout loss to International Boxing Federation (IBF) flyweight titlist Vic Darchinyan last March.

Gabi said he let loose a right cross to the ribs that produced the first knockdown. But reporters swore a series of left hooks to the head brought Pastrana down off the ropes near his corner. The right to the body, however, set up the fall.

Pastrana, a proud gladiator, got up but grimaced in pain. Referee Richard Steele signaled the action to continue and Gabi wasted no time to move in for the kill. Gabi said a right hook to the face dropped the Colombian for the second knockdown but reporters said it was a left to the body that dumped him.

Once again, Pastrana rose courageously only for Gabi to storm in like a tornado swallowing up anything in its path. Pastrana fell from another shot in the midsection and Steele waved Gabi off.

Gabi’s fight was the last of six in the card but the Filipino community that came principally to cheer for Viloria stayed around to savor the consolation after the "Hawaiian Punch" was dethroned as World Boxing Council (WBC) lightflyweight champion.

The Filipino fans mobbed Gabi, took pictures with him and got his autograph. They also congregated around Gabi’s American trainer Freddie Roach who they called "a Filipino" in spirit.

So why was Gabi in a hurry to finish off Pastrana’

"I was told by my manager (Michael Koncz) I could go home soon," said Gabi in Filipino. "I miss my family. I haven’t seen my wife (Eva Joy) and our son Prince since last year."

Gabi left the Philippines in August last year to find fame and fortune in the ring with Koncz’ guidance. He has since fought thrice in the US, beating Jose Alfredo Tirado on a technical decision in Stockton, losing to Darchinyan and trouncing Pastrana.

Koncz said he’s lining up Gabi to fight Mexican Gerson Guerrero for the WBC International superflyweight crown in Las Vegas on Sept. 14 and if the Davao slugger wins, his reward will be a trip back home. Before leaving his family, Gabi promised to come back only with a world title. He’ll keep his promise if he beats Guerrero.

Koncz said he has high hopes for Gabi who may also be in line for a fight in the undercard of the third bout between Manny Pacquiao and Erik Morales on Nov. 18. Gabi, however, said it’s unlikely since he has an earlier appointment with Guerrero.

Gabi, 26, said he can’t wait to be reunited with his family.

When not training in the gym, Gabi earns $6 an hour, packing and hauling cartons and boxes at a store in Orange County. Gabi said he works about three days a week in the store to earn a few extra bucks.

Koncz told Gabi before facing Pastrana, he had to deliver an impressive performance to seal the fight against Guerrero. He couldn’t have been more impressive.

When told Pastrana was a former world champion, Gabi couldn’t believe it.

Pastrana has held the IBF lightflyweight, IBA (International Boxing Association) and IBO (International Boxing Organization) superflyweight and IBA bantamweight titles. He turned pro in 1991 and had a roaring 23-0 start.

Pastrana has lost only twice in his career by knockout—to IBF bantamweight champion Rafael Marquez and Gabi. His record is 32-7-2, with 20 KOs, compared to Gabi’s 27-3-1, with 19 KOs.

Pastrana took the fight on five days’ notice as a late substitute for Gabi’s original opponent Jose German Cruz who backed out. Pastrana’s cornerman said the fighter had been training and was ready to rumble but just got caught with his pants down.

In the dressing room after crushing Pastrana, Gabi got a long distance congratulatory phone call from North Cotabato Gov. Manny Pinol who used to be his manager and benefactor.

The next day, Gabi checked out of his Orleans Hotel room and moved to Caesars Palace where Manny Pacquiao was staying.

* * *

Tony Martin, the London-born engineer who lived many years in Cebu with his Filipina wife Yvonne and their four children, now trains fighters at the Vegas Gym here.

Martin, 64, was in Gabi’s dressing room before and after his fight against Pastrana last Thursday.

Believe it or not, Martin is training former world champion Hector (Macho) Camacho for a comeback.

"He walked into the gym one day and asked if I could train him," said Martin. "I agreed, of course, because it was a chance for me to work with a real legend. When I do the punch-mitts with him, I can see flashes of brilliance from the past, the handspeed, the power. But he’s 41 now. What’s driving him is he wants to win a 10th world title because he’s tied with (Oscar) de la Hoya with nine so far. His plan is to do three more fights, two tune-ups then go for the championship, no matter what governing body recognizes it."

Martin said he’s now strictly a trainer for professional fighters. He’s given up training amateurs who plan to turn pro, businessmen who want to get in shape and showgirls, including strippers who used to patronize his services.

What’s also occupying Martin lately is trying to sign up fights for Cebu businessman Tony Aldeguer’s fighters. He’s shopping a list of seven contenders, including Czar Amonsot, Aling Denoy, Dondon Sultan and Michael Domingo. A promoter who has shown interest in booking fights for the ALA Boys is Gary Shaw, said Martin.