Gabi had vowed to finish off his opponent early, and the 5-foot-2 boxer didn’t disappoint his handlers Freddie Roach and Buboy Fernandez. A vicious blow to the body ending the round led to the rousing victory.
Gabi hurt Rivas with a similar body shot midway through the round, leaving the Mexican now based in Phoenix writhing in pain. But the ring physician allowed the fight to continue.
The last body punch that caught Rivas proved too much to handle as the Mexican refused to answer the bell for the second round. Gabi jumped with joy as the fight was officially stopped.
It was the second straight knockout win for Gabi who decked former three-time, two-division champion Mauricio Pastrana last August. He now has a ring record of 30-3-1 (20 KOs).
"I offer this win to my countrymen," said Gabi, under a three-year contract with Oscar dela Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions.
Roach, who helped train Gabi for this fight, was happy with the victory that could lead Gabi to a crack at the world title next year after another fight in December.
"I see a bright future in Gabi because he works hard in the gym. He really is impressive and I am excited," said Roach of the 27-year-old southpaw.
Gabi said he can’t wait to see his family in Lasang, Davao City, including a two-year-old son. He’s been training in the US for more than a year now.
Gabi’s fight added spice to the main bout that featured Oscar Larios, the gritty Mexican who survived 12 rounds against Manny Pacquiao last July 2 at the Araneta Coliseum.
Larios got back on the winning track, knocking out Nicaraguan Roberto Bonilla in the sixth round of their 130-lb match.