By Ronnie Nathanielsz

Z "The Dream" Gorres, one of the rising young stars of Philippine boxing is ready to prove he deserves a title shot when he battles former world rated Pan Asia Boxing Association champion Deeden Kengkarun of Thailand at the New San Andres Civic & Sports Center today. The fights to be telecast on the top rated weekly  boxing show " Main Event" over RPN 9 at 1:00 p.m. Sunday are sponsored by Tanduay, the No.1 Rhum, Motolite, PCSO and Red Bull.

The Oriental Pacific Boxing Federation No. 1 contender is coming off two smashing victories, both on the under-card of Manny Pacquiao fights. After decking rugged Chaiyong Distar in the first round in the celebrated "Yanig sa Taguig" Gorres went on to score a lopsided ten round decision while Pacquiao won by fourth round KO over Fahsan 3K Battery last December 11.

The best was yet to come as Gorres scored a stunning first round stoppage over highly touted Glen Donaire at the MGM Grand Garden Arena last March 19 when Pacquiao lost an epic battle with Erik "El Terrible" Morales. Both fighters came in at 113 pounds at the official weigh-in conducted by the GAB at the venue yesterday.

2002 "Trainer of the Year" Buddy McGirt who handled Gorres for some three months at his gym in Orlando, Florida predicted the flashy southpaw would be a future world champion and Gorres has said "I don’t plan to let him down." But the soft-spoken Deeden promises his fists will do the talking in the ring when they clash in a fight card promoted by Viva Entertainment Inc., president Vic del Rosario titled "Return of the Z."

The winner will receive a trophy from the sportsman son of Manila Mayor Lito Atienza, Kim Atienzai while the Mayor himself will present the championship belt to the winner of the RP bantamweight title fight between champion Joel Bauya and challenger Michael Domingo who has returned from a series of impressive wins in Indonesia.

An added attraction on today’s fight card which is open free to fight fans courtesy of Mayor Atienza, chairman Ali Atienza of the Manila Sports Council and Viva’s del Rosario will be the participation of stunningly attractive Viva Hot Babes as round girls with the national anthem to be sung by Viva’s newest recording star Jeanette Bautista.