GABI MAKES US DEBUT IN STOCKTON
By Salven L. Lagumbay
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 19 Sep 2005
Former WBC International flyweight boss Diosdado
?Prince? Gabi will be featured in the main event at
the Stockton Civic Auditorium on Friday September 23
for his American debut.
The fight card is being presented by James Grunsky
Promotions.
The 26-year-old Gabi (25-2-1, 18 KO's) is presently
ranked number 5 in the world by the WBC although his
manager states that the September 23 fight will be at
116 lbs and not at the flyweight category.
The opponent in the 10 round main event is
hard-hitting Mexican Jose Alfredo Tirado who?s record
stands at 22 wins, 2 losses and 3 draws with 17 wins
coming by way of knockouts.
Gabi arrived in the United States on August 3, 2005
and is living in Orange County. Gabi and his manager
take a 45-minute drive from Orange County to Los
Angeles to train under the watchful eyes of 2002
trainer of the Year, Freddie Roach at the Wild Card
Gym in Hollywood.
"My good friend and match maker for the September 23
card, Jimmy Montoya, who is also in charge of the West
Coast operations for Guilty Boxing Promotions has
provided us with a credible and very tough opponent
nevertheless, we believe Gabi is up for the task.
This will be a good test and an indicator as to where
Gabi stands in the world title hunt," stated Koncz.
Under the tutelage of Freddie Roach Gabi has sparred
approximately 75 rounds. Utilized as the main
sparring partner was Brian Viloria who is now the WBC
Junior Flyweight Champion also, approximately 25
rounds were done with Brazilian Flyweight Jose
Albuquerque. For this past and final week of sparring
in addition to Albuquerque, Gabi did 3 rounds on
Monday, Tuesday and Friday with IBF Super Bantamweight
Champion Israel Vazquez.
"When Gabi was presented for training camp in the
later part of July his weight had ballooned to 140 lbs
and my concern was reducing his weight down to 112 lbs
over this short period of time may effect Gabi?s
stamina and more importantly, his over all health,"
Koncz added.
In this regard, Koncz has retained the services of a
nutritionist who has placed Gabi on the following meal
schedule: breakfast consist of two hard boiled eggs
and a whole yam, after training or lunch steamed green
vegetables and one portion of grilled salmon fish or
chicken and at 7 pm a large portion of tossed green
salad topped with fish flakes. As snacks throughout
the day oranges, apples and bananas are utilized.
In addition, Justin Fortune, Manny Pacquiao's
conditioning coach, puts Gabi through a variety of
well thought-out and vigorous conditioning and
strength drills on a daily basis at the Wild Card Gym.
This combination is enabling Gabi to reduce his
weight and is putting him in top physical form without
any deterrence to his over all health. Gabi?s weight
as of Sept. 17 was 120 lbs.
Gabi states ?I have been training very hard for my US
debut fight as I know my opponent is very good. I
thank Mr. Grunsky for giving me this opportunity to
have my first fight on American Soil in Stockton,
California. On September 23 I will give 110 percent
in the ring in an effort to entertain the people of
Stockton.?
Gabi then went on to state that, ?Coming to America I
have made great sacrifices leaving my friends, family,
beautiful wife Eva Joy and our 10 month old son
Prince. But I know in my heart I will give a better
life for my family when I fulfill my dream of becoming
World Champion. I pray and ask for the continued
support of my family, fans and country men as when I
return to the Philippines I hope to be Champion of the
World?.
END
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Salven L. Lagumbay.
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