By Ronnie Nathanielsz

 

Australia’s 2006 “Promoter of the Year” and 2007 “Mr. Boxing” Peter Maniatis picks Z “The Dream” Gorres to completely outbox former IBF./IBO flyweight champion Vic Darchinyan in their IBF super flyweight world title eliminator in Cebu City on February 2.

 

In an interview with Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today , Maniatis who is in the country to talk to boxing people regarding his plans of staging a Philippine-Australia showdown in Melbourne said he had seen both Gorres fight and every one of Vic Darchinyan’s fights but noted that the Australian had “slowed down considerably and loads up too much” which means his opponent can see the punches coming.

 

Maniatis also said “we now know that Darchinyan can be hurt as well” as evidenced in his fifth round knockout at the hands of Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire on July 7, 2006.

 

He said “the only way Darchinyan can win is by a knockout or Gorres will box his ears off and if I am a betting man I will pick Gorres to completely outbox Vic.”

 

The former trainer of Filipino ring idol Manny Pacquiao when he won the WBC flyweight title with a sensational eighth round knockout over Thai hero Chatchai Sasakul, Rick Steaheli said Darchinyan " has to knockout Gorres out to win the fight but I am real big fan of Gorres’ skills. A lot of people like the big punchers but I’ll take the slick boxer every day of the week.”

 

Steaheli said he definitely thinks that Darchinyan ”has some chinks in his armor. His technique is very poor and the only way he can win is to catch Gorres with a big shot but I don’t see that happening.”