By Ronnie Nathanielsz
The dream of flashy southpaw Z "The Dream" Gorres to join the ranks of such ring warriors as Manny Pacquiao lives on.
Picked by renowned trainer and former two-division world champion Buddy McGirt as a future world champion Gorres gets his biggest chance of earning a crack at the world title when he battles former OPBF champion Waengpetch Chuwatana of Thailand for the vacant crown at the Mandaue Sports Complex on March 18.
The blockbuster fight card which will include WBO Asia Pacific super featherweight champion Czar Amonsot who defeated hard-hitting Christian Favela of Mexico in the Guilty Promotions card in Las Vegas will be telecast on RPN 9, sponsored by Tanduay, the No.1 Rhum and one of the biggest supporters of boxing in the Philippines.
The mandatory OPBF challenger who is ranked No. 4 by the WBO, Gorres has been training hard at the ALA Gym of respected boxing patron Tony Aldeguer ever since his return from Las Vegas early this month. Gorres scored an impressive ten round decision over rugged Mexican Jose Alfredo Tirado in the main event of Guilty Promotions fight card at the Orleans Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas .
Gorres realizes that a loss to the dangerous Thai who boasts of a record of 14 knockouts in 23 wins with 7 losses and 2 draws will shatter his life-long dream to become a world champion.
On his return from Las Vegas, Gorres told Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today he wanted to be another Manny Pacquiao and credited the Filipino ring idol for inspiring fighters like him and giving them a break in the US.
Gorres said he realized that he has to be like Pacquiao who literally kills himself in the gym if he hopes to become a world champion.
A win by the flashy 23 year old southpaw will move him up in the ratings by the different world organizations and will also pave the way for another battle with a Mexican in Las Vegas on May 12.
