By Ronnie Nathanielsz
OPBF No. 1 superflyweight Z “The Dream” Gorres and WBO Asia Pacific junior lightweight champion Czar Amonsot were scheduled to begin training yesterday at the Wild Card Gym of 2003 Trainer of the Year Freddie Roach in preparation for a February 3 fight card in Las Vegas.
Gorres and Amonsot braved the comparatively cold weather since their arrival last week in Los Angeles to do some roadwork in the mornings and to skip rope and shadow box in the afternoons. Filipino trainer Edito “Ala” Villamor reported that both fighters have “kept themselves in good shape in spite of the holiday season where parties and food were in abundance.”
Gorres, Amonsot and Villamor are staying with respected boxing patron Tony Aldeguer at his home in West Covina. Villamor said the two boxers “strictly adhered to their disciplined diet and managed to maintain their training weight.”
Villamor, in an email to Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today said there was “a strong possibility” that Guilty Promotions’ protégé Samuel Lopez may not fight Gorres since the promoter hasn’t confirmed the match-up while Amonsot’s opponent Arturo Quintero has been “more or less decided on.”
Gorres and Amonsot are expected to begin sparring in a day or two with Roach who is focusing his attention on Filipino ring idol Manny Pacquiao spending some time with the two new arrivals in the gym since they will train before Pacquiao starts his workout at 1 p.m. The Wild Card Gym is closed to all fighters when Pacquiao trains in order to prevent Roach’s secret plan against Erik “El Terrible” Morales from leaking out. Their celebrated showdown will take place at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas on January 21.
The world-rated Gorres and Amonsot will train for two weeks at the Wild Card Gym before driving to Las Vegas with business manager Michael Koncz for the last phase of their preparation for the February 3 fight card . Former trainer of JMP Stable Tony Martin will play host to the ALA boys in Las Vegas.
