Diosdado Gabi


Diosdado Gabi, nicknamed Prince 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 super flyweight title against the then holder of the title, Samson Dutch Boy Gym 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, whom he lost to by unanimous decision for the latter's WBC Asian Boxing Council Super Flyweight title.
Gabi won seven more bouts, and drew once 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 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. 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 shot at a world title. He fought the then undefeated IBO and IBF Flyweight World Champion, Vic Darchinyan. 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 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

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
35Loss30–4–1Abner MaresTKO2, 0:4915 Mar 2008Mandalay Bay, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.For WBO-NABO bantamweight title
34Win30–3–1Jose Angel BeranzaUD811 Aug 2007ARCO Arena, Sacramento, California, U.S.
33Win29–3–1Antonio Maria Cochero DiazTKO2, 2:5917 Mar 2007Mandalay Bay, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
32Win28–3–1Felipe RivasTKO1, 3:006 Oct 2006Tucson Desert Diamond Casino, Tucson, Arizona, U.S.
31Win27–3–1Mauricio PastranaTKO1, 1:3610 Aug 2006The Orleans, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
30Loss26–3–1Vic DarchinyanTKO8, 2:423 Mar 2006Chumash Casino Resort, Santa Ynez, California, U.S.For IBF and IBO flyweight titles
29Win26–2–1Jose Alfredo TiradoTD4 23 Sep 2005Stockton Memorial Civic Auditorium, Stockton, California, U.S.Fight stopped after Gabi suffers a cut on the upper left bridge of his nose from an intentional head-butt by Tirado
28Win25–2–1Eric BarcelonaTD5 10 Apr 2005Almendras Gym, Davao City, PhilippinesUnanimous TD; Fight was ordered to stop due to accidental head-butt in round 5
27Win24–2–1Jimmy PinontoanKO1, 0:3712 Feb 2005Royal Mandaya Hotel, Davao City, Philippines
26Win23–2–1Saensak SingmanasakKO2, 1:3419 Dec 2004Royal Mandaya Hotel, Davao City, Philippines
25Win22–2–1Sairung SingwanchaUD1010 Oct 2004Antipas, Cotabato del Norte
24Win21–2–1Randy MangubatTD12, 1:509 Nov 2003Cotabato Provincial Gymnasium, Barangay Amas, Kidapawan, PhilippinesWBC International flyweight title at stake; Fight stopped due to a cut on Gabi's forehead produced from an accidental head-butt
23Win20–2–1Roselito CampanaKO3 14 Jun 2003Kidapawan, Cotabato del Norte, Philippines
22Win19–2–1Alex GuevarraTKO3, 0:5323 Mar 2003Cotabato Provincial Gymnasium, Barangay Amas, Kidapawan, Philippines
21Win18–2–1Joseph PadenTKO1 8 Dec 2002Almendras Gym, Davao City, Philippines
20Win17–2–1Warlito BartiquelKO1, 2:3223 Nov 2002University of Mindanao Gymnasium, Tagum, Philippines
19Win16–2–1Leo EscobidoTKO4, 2:3520 Oct 2002Almendras Gym, Davao City, Philippines
18Win15–2–1Wito RamirezPTS1020 Sep 2002Philippines
17Win14–2–1Rachman Kili KiliTKO1 26 Jul 2002SCTV Studio, Jakarta, Indonesia
16Draw13–2–1Jimmy PinontoanPTS813 Jun 2002Jakarta, Indonesia
15Loss13–2Sot Sor VeerapolUD123 May 2002Nonthaburi, ThailandFor ABCO super flyweight title
14Win13–1Flash MurilloUD1015 Dec 2001Almendras Gym, Davao City, Philippines
13Win12–1Alfren BulalaTKO9 17 Nov 2001Almendras Gym, Davao City, Philippines
12Loss11–1Samson Dutch Boy GymPTS128 May 2001Udon Thani, ThailandFor WBF (Federation) super flyweight title
11Win11–0Felix MarfaTKO7 3 Mar 2001Mandaue City Sports and Cultural Complex, Barangay Centro, Mandaue, Philippines
10Win10–0Sammy SordillaPTS1010 Feb 2001Philippines
9Win9–0Sammy SordillaTKO1 11 Nov 2000Philippines
8Win8–0Rommel LibradillaTKO7, 2:1522 Sep 2000Davao City, Davao del Sur, Philippines
7Win7–0Richard CabilloTKO1 13 Aug 2000Philippines
6Win6–0Roberto OyanTKO1 6 Aug 2008Davao del Norte, Philippines
5Win5–0Julius JalnaizTKO5 15 Jan 2000Davao City, Davao del Sur, Philippines
4Win4–0Eric BarcelonaUD614 Dec 1999Plaridel, Bulacan, Philippines
3Win3–0Ricky ManatadTKO4, 2:437 Dec 1999Antipolo, Rizal, Philippines
2Win2–0Rey ArlosTKO3 2 Dec 1999Philippines
1Win1–0Cec AguilarKO1 5 Nov 1999Philippines

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.