By Ronnie Nathanielsz
Z “The Dream” Gorres will fight for the Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation super flyweight title in February next year, according to his manager well-known Cebu boxing patron Tony Aldeguer.
Aldeguer said he had finalized a deal with the promoters of the December 5 rematch between champion Masayuki Arinaga of Japan and former champion Waenpetch Chuwatana of Thailand who lost the title to Arinaga on a split decision last March 26.
The Japanese promoter who had signed an option with Chuwatana gave Gorres, the mandatory challenger, a step-aside fee of $2,000 so he could fulfill his obligations but Aldeguer tied them down in an airtight agreement that would assure Gorres of a title shot in February next year.
Under the agreement Arinaga would relinquish the title should he defeat Chuwatana and go for a world title shot with Gorres fighting the No. 2 contender for the vacant crown while in case Chuwatana wins he has inked
a deal to defend the title against Gorres in Cebu. Gorres who is ranked No. 6 by the WBO has a ring record of 20-1-1 with 11 KO’s and although he put on a disappointing performance in his last bout against Deeden Kengkarun is still regarded as a world title prospect by his trainer Edito “Ala” Villamor.
Meantime, Aldeguer revealed that WBO Asia Pacific bantamweight champion Rey “Boom Boom” Bautista, fresh from a smashing third round KO of rugged Colombian Felix Flores Murillo will defend his title in November against Australian Matt Hayes who is ranked No. 4 in the Asia Pacific. Aldeguer said Thai No. 1 Duangpetch Saengmorakot doesn’t want to fight Bautista while the No.2 and 3 slots are occupied by Filipinos Joel Bauya and Rolly Lunas.
Aldeguer said that Bautista is likely to fight for the world title sometime early next year. The reigning WBO champion is Ratanachai Sor Vorapin.
