By Ronnie Nathanielsz
Newly crowned OPBF super flyweight champion Z “The Dream” Gorres may see his dream of a world title shot materializing earlier than expected according to Golden Boy Promotions vice president and matchmaker Erik Gomez.
Gomez who watched Gorres win the OPBF crown with a comfortable unanimous decision over former champion Waengpetch Chuwatana before a jam-packed Mandaue City sports complex late Saturday night said they were eyeing a title shot for Gorres and there was that Gorres would fight for the WBO title “very soon.”
Gomez disclosed that reigning WBO super flyweight champion Fernando Montiel was planning to move up to the bantamweight division which would mean Gorres would get a crack at the vacant title since he is ranked No. 2 at present with Britain’s Martin “Too Much” Power rated as No.1.
Gomez indicated that on his return to the US with international matchmaker and adviser Sampson Lewkowicz who was also at ringside to watch Gorres he would explore “all possibilities” in an effort to get Gorres a shot at the vacant title should Montiel step down.
Gomez was impressed especially by the way Gorres moved and said “he’s really a world-class fighter” echoing what famed boxing commentator Col. Bob Sheridan said during his coverage of Gorres’ lopsided ten round decision over rugged Jose Alfredo Tirado last February 3 in Las Vegas.
The flashy southpaw’s failure to win by a knockout despite decking Chuwatana in round three with a picture perfect right uppercut and staggering him late in the bout didn’t bother Gomez. “Its alright. The guy was tough and had a good chin” said the extremely knowledgeable vice president and close friend of the “Golden Boy,” Oscar De La Hoya.
Power who is 26 years old stands 5”6” and is undefeated with 18 wins, seven of them by knockouts. He won the vacant British bantamweight title in what was described as “a thrilling, brutal and blood-filled battle” by the British Boxing website over Dale Robinson last May 20, 2005 and then successfully defended the title with a split decision win over Ian Napa last November 4.
