By Ronnie Nathanielsz

 

Z “The Dream” Gorres will face Indonesian slugger Jemmy Gobel in an eight round exhibition bout in Mandaue City on December 8 as part of his preparation for the February 2, 2008 IBF super flyweight eliminator against IBO champion Vic Darchinyan.

 

The winner of the eliminator will get a mandatory shot at newly crowned champion Dimitri Kirilov of Russia who is handled by celebrated trainer Freddie Roach.

 

Darchinyan who lost his IBF and IBO flyweight titles when he suffered a stunning fifth round knockout at the hands of “The Filipino Flash” Nonito Donaire last July 7 moved up in weight and recently won the IBO super flyweight title with a 12th round TKO over rugged Federico Catubay.

 

However, Australian TV official Mat Brooks who has showcased many Darchinyan fights on Sky Channel has been quoted by Sports Nut as saying that Darchinyan desperately needs a tune-up fight. But that cannot happen under IBF rules now that the fight contract has been signed.

 

Brooks was quoted as saying that Darchinyan “got hit with some big shots and looked very uncomfortable at times” against Catubay.”

 

The TV executive said Gorres is a “really classy fighter who has proved himself against the best in the world like Fernando Montiel.” Gorres was clearly robbed of the title against Montiel, the WBO champion who was given a boxing lesson most of the fight. Brooks said “ I really think Vic needs another fight before facing Gorres.”

 

Even though his December 8 bout is an eight-round exhibition Gobel who has a record of 14-3-3 with 11 knockouts is likely to go  flat out to prove he too is a worthy contender of the future.  The 25 year old Indonesian is coming off a fifth round knockout over countryman Agus Wijanarko last September 23.