by Ronnie Nathanielsz
Z "The Dream" Gorres has moved up to No.2 in the latest ratings of the World Boxing Organization following his impressive ten-round decision over rugged Mexican Jose Antonio Tirado in Las Vegas last February 3. The WBO champion is Fernando Montiel while Britain’s Martin Power was ranked No. 1.
Gorres who aims to fulfil his dream of becoming a world champion takes a major first step in his quest when he battles former OPBF champion Waengpetch Chuwatana for the vacant super flyweight title in Mandaue City on March 18. The fight will be telecast on the top-rated weekly boxing show "The Main Event" sponsored by Tanduay, the No.1 Rhum, on March 19 at 1:00 p.m. over RPN 9.
While the fight has been labeled "A Dream Come True" for the flashy Filipino southpaw, his Thai challenger has vowed to turn it into a nightmare. The grizzled veteran of 32 fights with a 23-7-2 win-loss record including 14 knockouts, Chuwatana cannot be taken lightly. His only defeats were suffered in Japan although he won three title fights in Japan.
Chuwatana has fought only one Filipino, rugged Gerard Ubatay and scored a decisive points victory. A power puncher, many of Chuwatana’s knockouts were in the first and second rounds. A vastly experienced fighter Chuwatana twice fought for the Thai super flyweight title and had six OPBF title fights. On the other hand, the young Gorres had only two Philippine title fights, losing once to Edgar Rodrigo when Gorres was troubled by abscessed teeth and having to reduce to make the flyweight limit.
Since moving up to the super flyweight division Gorres has strung together a series of impressive wins including KO’s over highly-touted Fil-Am Glen Donaire and WBO Asia Pacific No. 1 Wisanu Pornobnum.
Gorres is regarded as one of the Philippines' rising young stars and a future world champion along with WBO Asia Pacific bantamweight champion Rey "Boom Boom" Bautista and WBC minimum weight mandatory challenger Rodel Mayol.
