By Ronnie Nathanielsz

Diosdado Gabi who battles undefeated Vic Darchinyan for the IBF flyweight title on March 3 promised yesterday that it would be “a great fight and I know I am going to win.”

However, Gabi told boxing writers after a public workout at the Wild Card Gym of Freddie Roach added  that if he doesn’t win “I promise I will leave everything in the ring.”

Ranked No. 4 by the IBF, Gabi faces hard-hitting champion Darchinyan who has a record of 19 knockouts in 24 wins including six consecutive bouts by knockout but Gabi who has a record of 26-2-1 with 19 KO’s and has never been stopped has won twelve fights in a row, eight of them inside the distance.

Gabi said he had waited five years for this shot at a world title and he is “ready to fight” adding “I am very eager and excited. I am confident and in great shape. I feel I have the style to win the fight.”

However, the little Filipino from Davao City admitted that he respected Darchinyan and knows he is “a strong, powerful puncher who hits like a featherweight. I have a lot of knockouts on my record but I don’t have the one-punch power that he has.”

Discussing his strategy for the fight Gabi said “I am faster than he is and I plan to use my speed to give him angles. I want to be elusive and make him work to catch up with me.” Gabi said he believes in his “good boxing ability” and this is what he plans to showcase against Darchinyan. Gabi indicated “to stand and exchange would be a mistake. That’s what Darchinyan wants.”

Noting that the champion was already looking past him and talking about a possible clash with Jorge Arce, Gabi said Darchinyan had “some weaknesses and technical flaws that I believe I can capitalize on.” I am very comfortable with my strategy and confident in my ability to outbox him.”