Diosdado Gabi, nicknamed Prince (born September 9, 1979 in Davao City, Philippines) is a retired Filipino professional boxer.
Personal life Gabi is married and has a young son that he left back in the Philippines to fight overseas in the United States. "We come from a very poor family. My father is a fisherman. All we eat sometimes is what he catches. I try to send them as much money as often as I can".
Boxing career
Early career On May 8, 2001, after building an undefeated record of 11–0, Gabi fought for the minor World Boxing Federation (WBF) super flyweight title against the then holder of the title, Samson Dutch Boy Gym (40–0) of Thailand. Gabi suffered his first loss as a professional, losing on points to Dutch Boy Gym, who later retired undefeated with a record of 43–0. After two wins following his loss to Dutch Boy Gym, he suffered yet another setback when he faced another undefeated Thai, Peesaddaeng Kiatsakthanee (11–0), whom he lost to by unanimous decision (UD) for the latter's WBC Asian Boxing Council Super Flyweight title.
Gabi won seven more bouts, and drew once (after his loss to Kiatsakthanee) before he was able to vie for the WBC International flyweight title, then held by compatriot, Randy Mangubat. Gabi won the belt by technical decision (TD) through twelve rounds, winning by scores of 116–111, 114–112, 116–110. After winning three more fights after his win against Mangubat, Gabi fought Eric Barcelona (whom he defeated six years ago, in 1999, in just his fourth pro fight). The result of the fight was just the same, Gabi defeated Barcelona by TD through 5 rounds, after an accidental headbutt caused the fight to be stopped.
First and Last World Title shot On March 3, 2006, in Chumash Casino in Santa Ynez, California, in Gabi's second fight in the United States, he got his first (and last) shot at a world title. He fought the then undefeated IBO and IBF Flyweight World Champion, Vic Darchinyan (24–0). Unfortunately, Gabi was caught with a fierce left punch in the 8th round, resulting in an eight round technical knockout win for Darchinyan.
In an effort to help his fellow friend and fellow Filipino boxer Nonito Donaire prepare to fight Darchinyan, Gabi gave advice that the young fighter acknowledged after the bout. Donaire went on to knock out Darchinyan to become a unified world champion, something Gabi never accomplished, but he did help a friend, and that's what matters. Donaire said "Gabi taught me a little bit and told me what this guy (Darchinyan) did and he helped out a lot for this fight".
The Prince's Farewell On March 15, 2008, after winning four more bouts after his loss to Darchinyan, Gabi faced the then WBO–NABO Bantamweight Champion, Abner Mares for his title in the undercard of Manny Pacquiao's rematch with Juan Manuel Márquez. Mares, who was undefeated coming into the bout with 15 wins and 0 losses, stopped Gabi in his tracks in just two rounds. Gabi later retired from the sport following the loss.
Professional boxing record
ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes35Loss30–4–1Abner MaresTKO2 (12), 15 Mar 200834Win30–3–1Jose Angel BeranzaUD811 Aug 200733Win29–3–1Antonio Maria Cochero DiazTKO2 (8), 17 Mar 200732Win28–3–1Felipe RivasTKO1 (8), 6 Oct 200631Win27–3–1Mauricio PastranaTKO1 (8), 10 Aug 200630Loss26–3–1Vic DarchinyanTKO8 (12), 3 Mar 200629Win26–2–1Jose Alfredo TiradoTD4 (10)23 Sep 200528Win25–2–1Eric BarcelonaTD5 (10)10 Apr 200527Win24–2–1Jimmy PinontoanKO1 (10), 12 Feb 200526Win23–2–1Saensak SingmanasakKO2 (10), 19 Dec 200425Win22–2–1Sairung SingwanchaUD1010 Oct 200424Win21–2–1Randy MangubatTD12 (12), 9 Nov 200323Win20–2–1Roselito CampanaKO3 (10)14 Jun 200322Win19–2–1Alex GuevarraTKO3 (10), 23 Mar 200321Win18–2–1Joseph PadenTKO1 (10)8 Dec 200220Win17–2–1Warlito BartiquelKO1 (10), 23 Nov 200219Win16–2–1Leo EscobidoTKO4 (10), 20 Oct 200218Win15–2–1Wito RamirezPTS1020 Sep 200217Win14–2–1Rachman Kili KiliTKO1 (?)26 Jul 200216Draw13–2–1Jimmy PinontoanPTS813 Jun 200215Loss13–2Sot Sor VeerapolUD123 May 200214Win13–1Flash MurilloUD1015 Dec 200113Win12–1Alfren BulalaTKO9 (12)17 Nov 200112Loss11–1Samson Dutch Boy GymPTS128 May 200111Win11–0Felix MarfaTKO7 (?)3 Mar 200110Win10–0Sammy SordillaPTS1010 Feb 20019Win9–0Sammy SordillaTKO1 (?)11 Nov 20008Win8–0Rommel LibradillaTKO7 (10), 22 Sep 20007Win7–0Richard CabilloTKO1 (?)13 Aug 20006Win6–0Roberto OyanTKO1 (6)6 Aug 20085Win5–0Julius JalnaizTKO5 (?)15 Jan 20004Win4–0Eric BarcelonaUD614 Dec 19993Win3–0Ricky ManatadTKO4 (6), 7 Dec 19992Win2–0Rey ArlosTKO3 (?)2 Dec 19991Win1–0Cec AguilarKO1 (?)5 Nov 1999
Controversy On August 17, 2007, Gabi was ordered arrested for breaching a contract with Cotabato Vice Governor, Emmanuel Piñol. MTC Judge Antonina Escovilla issued the warrant of arrest based on the complaint of Piñol who sought P4.8 million from Gabi.
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