Davao City roots for Gabi in Unfinished Business

DAVAO CITY, Philippines - When Manny Pacquiao climbs the ring this Sunday (Manila time) to fight Juan Manuel Marquez of Mexico in an attempt snatch the latter's World Boxing Council super featherweight crown in Las Vegas, Filipino fight fans back home will be glued to their television sets and giant screens to cheer their beloved hero. In Davao City, boxing fans will not only be rooting for Pacquiao but also go all out for their local hero Diosdado Gabi, the little boxer who will also be fighting in the card dubbed "Unfinished Business." The 28-year-olf Gabi, called the "Prince" and a fisherman's son from Lasang, is in for a tough fight against 22-year-old Mexican wonder and undefeated Abner Mares. What make Gabi's fight significant is that he is on a four-match win streak and will see action on the founding anniversary of Davao City. March 16, Sunday, marks the 71st Araw ng Dabaw and the celebration will culminate with a grand parade scheduled to start at 7 a.m. City Hall will also install a wide screen at the Almendras Gym to allow the people of Davao watch the Pacquiao--and Gabi's--fight for free on pay per view basis to be shouldered by the local government. Gabi has a record of 30-3-1 with 21 KOs, while Mares will enter the ring carrying a slate of 15-0 with 9 KOs. Gabi, a southpaw and fighting in the bantamweight division, once fought for the world flyweight crown against Armenian-born Australian Vic Darchinyan, but lost the fight via an eight-round stoppage. Since that defeat, the Davao boxer is on a hot streak having won his last four fights. He stopped former champion Mauricio Pastrana in the first round, scored another first round stoppage over Felipe Rivas, posted a second round TKO win over Antonio Diaz and won by decision against Jose Angel Beranza of Mexico. A victory over Mares will put Gabi a step closer towards another world title shot. - Sun.Star