By Ronnie Nathanielsz
If there is any fighter who should know the ferocious nature of Colombia’s mean-looking Luis Melendez, that fighter is Z “The Dream” Gorres whose career was cut short when he collapsed after a rousing unanimous decision win over Melendez. He collapsed in his corner and later underwent brain surgery last November in Las Vegas.
Melendez is seeking to wreak more havoc on Filipino world title prospects when he faces WBO Oriental bantamweight champion Michael Domingo on an exciting fight card at the plush ballroom of the Waterfront Hotel and Casino on May 23.
The fights will be telecast by the giant broadcast network ABS-CBN which is working closely with ALA Promotions to provide fight fans with another huge card loaded with an emotional dimension because of what happened to Gorres.
The stylish Gorres who was on the threshold of a world title shot at WBO champion Fernando Montiel when the tragic accident happened warned his close friend Domingo that Melendez was a truly dangerous opponent.
Gorres said Domingo who just returned from Japan where he served as sparring partner of WBC bantamweight champion Hozumi Hasegawa who was scheduled to defend his title against Montiel on Friday night in Tokyo “should not make the same mistake I did. I relaxed my defense believing I was much ahead on points. You cannot do that with Melendez. He is too dangerous.”
The fearsome Melendez has a scary record of 21 knockouts in 26 wins and proved how lethal he could be by ending the career of the extremely likeable Gorres with one punch.
Trainer Martin Valdez claimed Melendez was cheated when the time was cut short by a minute after the Colombian hurt and floored Gorres in the last round of their ten round b out at the Mandalay Bay House if Blues last November.
Earlier , Melendez gave Montiel all sorts of trouble before losing by a 12th round TKO after Melendez also knocked down the champion in the early rounds in a futile bid to wrest the title from the Mexican.
To Domingo, this fight is personal adding “This is a very emotional one for me. I cried when I learned what happened to Gorres.I am dedicating this fight to him”.
The exciting fight card will also feature the resurgent KO Artist Jimrex Jaca (29-6-3, 14 KO’s) who will attempt to make a second successful comeback under ALA Promotions when he will be tested by James Kimori (15-3, 11 KO’s) of Kenya, Africa.
