Gabi Faces Rivas in Larios Undercard
By Winchell Campos
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 07 Oct 2006
TUCSON, Arizona--Diosdado "Prince" Gabi Jr. gets to show his wares on national US television when he takes on young local boy Felipe Rivas in the undercard of Oscar Larios' comeback fight Friday night (Saturday in Manila) at the Desert Diamond Casino in this border city here.
After hurdling Thursday's weigh-in and with the help of Manny Pacquiao's Filipino trainer Buboy Fernandez who lent his expertise in pre-fight conditioning, Gabi ended anxious moments in making weight and promised to put on an impressive show knowing that a huge audience will be watching.
Gabi faces Rivas, a 22-year-old fighter from nearby Phoenix, Arizona, who is an inch taller. The 5'2" Gabi, 29-3-1 (19 KOs), has a huge advantage in experience and a three-inch advantage in reach.
"Sana maganda ang ipapakita ko sa laban na ito. Inspired ako at sana ipagdasal ako ng mga kababayan ko dahil para sa kanila ang laban na ito," said Gabi, who turned 27 three weeks ago. "Mexicano ang kalaban ko kaya ini-expect ko na maganda ang laban na ito," said Gabi.
In his first fight under Golden Boy Promotions, Gabi came in at 115 1/2 pounds, just a shade over the contracted weight of 115 pounds. Since his fight is not a championship match, a one-pound allowance is allowed.
Superfeatherweight champion Marco Antonio Barrera, a partner of Golden Boy Promotions, led the ceremonies, even as Larios, the main attraction here, hurdled the 126-pound limit. He faces journeyman Roberto Bonilla.
Trainer and manager Freddie Roach is set to plane in before the fight which will be shown over the Telefutura channel and he expects Gabi to be on top of his game, having trained well at the Wild Card gym in Los Angeles.
"Excited na ako para lumaban at handa na ako. Gusto ko na ring umuwi dahil sabik na sabik na ako sa aking pamilya," said Gabi, who has been promised a bigger fight soon as well as a possible title shot in the near future.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Winchell Campos.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Donaire awaits WBA order
By Joaquin Henson, Tue, 30 Dec 2025Anthony Joshua injured in car crash in Nigeria
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Tue, 30 Dec 2025Sampson Boxing Signs Red Hot Middleweight Vito Mielnicki Jr to Exclusive Promotional Contract
Tue, 30 Dec 2025Undefeated Carl Jammes Martin Plots Next Move as New Year Unfolds
Mon, 29 Dec 2025Alvin Gayeta Roma leads Mansa Engineering Consultancy Team B to rule New York Chess Academy Team Tournament; pockets P100,000
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 29 Dec 2025Llover, Casimero stop foes in Japan
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 28 Dec 2025Organizing Committee Meets for Dr. Eugene Torre Rapid Chess Tournament Honoring FIL-CHI’s Golden Anniversary
Sun, 28 Dec 2025KEYSHAWN DAVIS RETURNS ON THE RING 6 UNDERCARD AT MADISON SQUARE GARDEN
Sun, 28 Dec 2025IM Datu captures 4th IIEE Chess SIKAT, Jeremy Marticio repeat champ for 5th mini-tournament
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 27 Dec 2025THE RING 6: NIGHT OF THE SAMURAI WEIGH-IN RESULTS AND FIGHT NIGHT RUNNING ORDER CONFIRMED AS INOUE AND PICASSO CLASH IN RIYADH
Fri, 26 Dec 2025THE RING 6: NIGHT OF THE SAMURAI PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
Fri, 26 Dec 2025THE RING 6: NIGHT OF THE SAMURAI OPEN WORKOUTS COMPLETE AS UNDISPUTED KING INOUE GETS READY FOR PICASSO CLASH IN RIYADH
Thu, 25 Dec 20253-Time, 2-Division World Champion & IBF No. 1, Mandatory Bantamweight World Title Challenger Miyo Yoshida long overdue for her 8th World title fight
Thu, 25 Dec 2025Game On! 1st Paower Pickleball Cup Ignites Action in San Fernando
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 25 Dec 2025Late Replacement Tellez Ready to Shock the World Against Amanda Serrano for WBA & WBO Featherweight Titles on January 3 in Puerto Rico
Wed, 24 Dec 2025