Darchinyan confident of beating RP's Gabi

International Boxing Federation (IBF) flyweight champion Vic Darchinyan is confident of beating his Filipino challenger Diosdado Gabi in their 12-round match on March 3 (March 4 in the Philippines) at the Chumash Casino Resort in Santa Ynez, California.

"I will beat him," Darchinyan said of Gabi in a report by Peter Kogoy of the Australian News.

"I am a much stronger fighter and I believe strongly in my ability," added the undefeated Armenian-born fighter from Sydney.

Darchinyan is so optimistic in disposing off Gabi that he already talked of a fight with interim WBC flyweight titlist Jorge "Travieso" Arce of Mexico.

Darchinyan's trainer Jeff Fenech, a former world champion, is as confident as his ward.

"People will see that I have the best flyweight in the world and the hardest punching flyweight in the world," Fenech said.

"It is a very big step for Vic Darchinyan to be taking. His next fight will be in front of a worldwide television audience in the millions. With the step up comes added pressure but this kid (Darchinyan) handles pressure real well," added Fenech.

Darchinyan is unscathed in 24 fights that include 19 wins by knockout, while Gabi, who is now managed by US boxing agent Michael Koncz, is equally impressive with a 26-3 win-loss record with 18KOs.

The WBC ranked No.2 and IBF No.4 112-pounder Gabi is riding high on a four-year, 14-bout winning streak.

Gabi, who hails from Davao City, should take note that Darchinyan knocked out his last six opponents starting off with a first round stoppage of Indonesian Dazer Tobing way back on October 3, 2003 in Australia.