By Ronnie Nathanielsz
Z “The Dream” Gorres, the Oriental Pacific Boxing Federation No.1 contender scored a lopsided win over former world-rated Pan Asia Boxing Association champion Deeden Kengkarun of Thailand before a large crowd at the air-conditioned, newly refurbished San Andres Civic & Sports Center in a fight card sponsored by Tanduay, the No.1 Rhum, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, Motolite and Red Bull, late Saturday.
Manila Mayor Lito Atienza who presented Gorres with a handsome trophy was given a rousing welcome by fight fans who were grateful to him as well as promoter Vic Del Rosario, president of the Viva Entertainment Group for opening the venue free to the public. Stunningly attractive Viva Ho Babes Gwen Garcy, Zarah Lopez and Ella V served as rounds girls to the delight of the crowd.
Gorres who is inexplicably rated No. 5 in the WBO bantamweight division dropped the back-pedalling Deeden in the second round with a perfectly-timed combination but a nasty cut suffered by the flashy Filipino southpaw in the third round due to an accidental head-butt saw him fight cautiously for the rest of the ten round bout. Deeden only occasionally charged in to connect with a right hook but it was obvious that the Thai fighter's intention was to survive.
Gorres caught Deeden numerous times with one-two combinations but couldn’t put the hardy Thai away and coasted to a shutout, with all three judges Epie Almeda, Ricardo Canlas and newly-appointed boxing judge, sportswriter Dennis Principle, turning in identical scorecards of 100-88 for Gorres.
Gorres’ manager, well known Cebu boxing patron Tony Aldeguer said he was looking forward to possibly scheduling one more fight for Gorres before he takes on the winner of the OPBF title bout between champion Masayuki Arinaga and challenger Daisuke Maruyama in a mandatory.
Michael Domingo scored a controversial decision to win the Philippine bantamweight title from Joel Bauya after he was cut due to an accidental head-butt forcing referee Ver Abainza, on instructions of the ring physician, to call a halt at 2:25 of the ninth round. Bauya’s manager, former boxer Emil Romano slammed a chair in anger after the decision was announced and said he would file a protest with the GAB complaining that his fighter who was the aggressor throughout was robbed.
