Two Pinoys try to replicate F-3’s feat

Superfeatherweight Randy Suico and superflyweight Diosdado Gabi hope to follow in the footsteps of Manny Pacquiao, Brian Viloria and Rey (Boom Boom) Bautista—dubbed F-3 (the Fighting Three)—when they take on Mexican opponents in the US this Friday (Saturday morning, Manila).

Pacquiao, Viloria and Bautista created a stir when they stopped their foes on the same card at the Staples Center in Los Angeles two weeks ago.

Suico takes on former International Boxing Federation (IBF) lightweight champion Javier Jauregui in the main event of a Golden Boy promotion at the Lyon Center on the University of Southern California campus in Los Angeles while Gabi faces Jose Alfredo Tirado in the top fight of a James Grunsky card in Stockton. Both bouts are scheduled for 10 rounds.

The Suico-Jauregui match was originally listed in the undercard of the Marco Antonio Barrera-Robbie Peden mainer in Las Vegas last Saturday. But it was reset as the stellar attraction for a live telecast on Telefutura’s "Solo Boxeo" program.

Suico, 25, is ranked among the world’s top five fighters in the 130-pound division and squares off against a grizzled veteran. Jauregui, 32, turned pro in 1988 and has since compiled a 49-12-2 record, with 34 KOs’ compared to Suico’s 23-1, with 20 KOs.

Suico’s only pro loss was a disputed split decision defeat to Mzonke Fana, who was decked twice, in South Africa last year. He has rebounded from the setback by scoring two straight knockouts. If he beats Jauregui, the hard-hitting "Komong Bato" of Mandaue could be in line for a shot at the World Boxing Council (WBC) and IBF titles now held by Barrera.

Like Suico, Gabi is up against a tough Mexican. Tirado has a 22-2-3 record, with 17 KOs’ and would like nothing better than to avenge countryman Hector Velazquez’ recent loss to Pacquiao. Gabi’s record is 25-2-1, with 18 KOs’ and he hasn’t lost in his last 14.

According to his US agent Mike Koncz, Gabi has shown tremendous improvement in the gym under trainer Freddie Roach. Gabi arrived in Los Angeles early last month and reported to Roach weighing 140 pounds. He’s now down to 120 1/4 and should be able to make the limit of 115 at the weigh-in on Thursday.

Koncz said he hired a nutritionist to rationalize Gabi’s diet two weeks ago and the fighter is now eating healthy without gaining weight. His intake mainly consists of fruits, eggs without yolk, grilled chicken or fish, canned tuna and leafy vegetables.

Gabi, 25, lives in Koncz’ Los Angeles home. Three-time Canadian Golden Gloves middleweight champion Joel Mills also stays with Koncz. Bautista and trainer Edito Villamor lived in the Koncz home, too. Pacquiao’s brother Bobby used to stay with Koncz but has moved to the Palazoo Apartments in the Los Angeles district of La Brea with trainer Buboy Fernandez after the three-time world champion left to return here.

Koncz said Roach hopes to work Gabi’s corner but if he is called to Reno to prepare James Toney for his next fight, assistant Justin Fortune will take his place.

"Gabi had a choice of moving in with Bobby but preferred to stay at our home," said Koncz, a Canadian lawyer. "In the gym, he’s working on his combinations. He used to go in there to try to finish off his opponent with one big punch. Now, he’s learned to be patient. He’s doubling and tripling up on his jab. His defense is phenomenal. He’s so elusive in the ring."

Gabi has sparred over 75 rounds to train for his US debut. A sparmate is IBF superbantamweight champion Israel Vasquez who also prepared Pacquiao for Velazquez.

In an overseas phone call yesterday, Gabi said he misses his family but doesn’t plan to go back home soon.

"Mahirap sa Pilipinas, kaunti lang ang kita ko," said Gabi. "Ang pinakamalaking premyo ko ay P10,000. Titiisin ko na muna dito sa America. Ang pangarap ko ay maging world champion."

Koncz said if Gabi beats Tirado convincingly, he’ll arrange another bout before negotiating for a world title crack. He said Gabi’s purse for the Tirado fight is the biggest so far in his career but declined to disclose the amount.

Mexican impresario Jimmy Montoya of Guilty Promotions promised Koncz he would set up a world title shot for Gabi if he defeats Tirado and wins another match over a rated contender.