Work in progress

Superflyweight contender Z Gorres may not be ripe for a world title shot at the moment. But his co-manager Tony Aldeguer is convinced the southpaw from Cebu has what it takes to become a world champion sooner or later. Gorres just has to work harder at it.

Last Saturday, Gorres disappointed his fans by failing to dispose of Thai journeyman Deeden Kengkarun at the San Andres Civic and Sports Center in Malate. He scored a unanimous 10-round decision in a dull fight.

There was no doubt that Gorres was the superior fighter. He floored Kengkarun with a left-right combination in the second round but the Thai was never in danger of being counted out. Kengkarun got up and survived the distance even as he was staggered in the fourth and sixth rounds.

Kengkarun, a former Pan Asia Boxing Association lightflyweight titlist, was clearly not in Gorres’ class. A check on his ring record will show he didn’t belong in the same ring.

Kengkarun was stopped not once but twice by Marvin Tampus in Bangkok three years ago. For a Thai to lose twice to the same fighter by knockout in his home country means he’s just a palooka. Kengkarun has also lost decisions to Filipinos Ronnie Magramo and Rolly Lunas.

With credentials like Kengkarun’s, he could only be a patsy. And that just accentuated Gorres’ failure to put him to sleep.

But Gorres can’t be completely blamed for the lackluster fight because Kengkarun obviously didn’t plan to slug it out. Kengkarun only wanted to go the full route and stay on his feet at the final bell. He looked more to survive than to fight.

For the record, Gorres pitched a shutout against the Thai. Judges Epie Almeda, Ricardo Canlas and Dennis Principe turned in identical scores of 100-88.

The win earned for Gorres a crack at the Orient and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) 115-pound title. Aldeguer, however, isn’t rushing things and says Gorres might figure in a tune-up in November before challenging for the OPBF crown.

"Skillful as he is, Gorres has never been a crowd pleaser," says Aldeguer. "Too segurista. He also lacks power. That recent fight (against Kengkarun) could have still been a little bit exciting if the Thai elected to fight. We’ll try to do better next time."

Aldeguer is planning on staging a Manila card in November to feature not only Gorres but also his other hot prospect, bantamweight Rey (Boom Boom) Bautista.

Aldeguer says his Los Angeles partner Michael Koncz is negotiating with Top Rank’s Bob Arum for a Bautista fight in the US.

"Boom Boom and (trainer) Edito (Villamor) are actually scheduled to leave (for the US) tomorrow but could be deferred depending on the date of the fight," continues Aldeguer. "Boom Boom will train with Freddie Roach."

As for Gorres, he says he’s still saving for his wedding with his girlfriend of five years, Duchess. They live together with their two children Dheydert, 2, and Sheyladhey, 1.

Gorres used his ring earnings to build a modest home for his family in Cebu. The house stands on a property owned by his girlfriend’s parents. He’s in the process of acquiring his own lot in Cebu for a future home.

If Gorres hopes to become a world champion someday, he has to develop more power in his punches, show better footwork and fight like a dervish. To make an impact internationally, a fighter must be willing to take chances and Gorres must realize that.

Gorres convincingly trounced Kengkarun but the performance left a lot of fans yawning. Shooting left-right combinations from a distance and staying away from trouble may win decisions but not impress too many fans.

Gorres says he learned a lot from renowned US trainer James (Buddy) McGirt in nearly four months of isolated living in Florida recently. He worked out with his idol, Gerry Peñalosa, in McGirt’s gym.

New Jersey promoter Murad Muhammad tried to find a suitable opponent for Gorres to mark his US debut but couldn’t land anyone to test him. One by one, candidates backed out reportedly because there were stringent option clauses in the fight contract. Even Filipino Vernie Torres was considered. Finally, Glenn Donaire"–a Filipino born and raised in the US–agreed to face Gorres in the undercard of the Manny Pacquiao-Erik Morales main event in Las Vegas last March.

The rumor was Donaire accepted the fight on only a few days notice and was hardly prepared to put on a decent showing. Sure enough, Donaire was stopped at 2:03 of the first round, continuously complaining to referee Jay Nady he was groggy because of a headbutt. Gorres scored a knockdown early in the fight and was in complete control when Nady decided he’d heard enough of Donaire’s bellyaching.