Gorres fulfills dream

Finally, it’s a dream come true for ALA ring star Z Gorres.

Gorres proved he is a worthy addition to the Golden Boy Promotions family after he hammered out a one-sided unanimous decision victory over Thai Waengpetch Chuwatana in their 12-round encounter to seize the OPBF super flyweight crown in the other night’s "A Dream Come True" card witnessed by a mammoth crowd at the Mandaue City Sports and Cultural Complex.

The 23-year-old Gorres fulfilled one of his biggest ambitions two nights after he signed a promotional contract with the United States-based Golden Boys Promotions of five-time world champion Oscar de la Hoya.

Capitalizing on his superior skills and blazing speed, Gorres dominated the entire fight highlighted by a third-round knockdown of Chuwatana to earn the nod of the three judges in lopsided fashion.

Pinit Prayadsab (Thailand) saw the bout at 118-109, Salven Lagumbay (Philippines) penned it 119-107, while scoring referee Bruce McTavish (New Zealand) scored 120-106, all for Gorres who improved his record to 24-1-1 spiked with 11 KOs.

"I’ve really been dreaming of this for quite some time now and I’m very happy I finally achieved it. I dedicate this victory to Sir ALA and Sir Rudy. I know it is also their dream for me to become a champion," said Gorres.

ALA is the initial of Antonio "Bidoy" Aldeguer, the manager of Gorres, while Rudy Salud is the well-respected former WBC secretary-general who once handled the career of the Mandaue City fighter.

Gorres’ brightest moment came late in the third round when the ALA stalwart sneaked in a powerful right uppercut to the chin and floored Chuwatana. The Thai though quickly got up and easily survived the ordeal.

From that point on, no more stunner took place as Chuwatana employed dirty tactics to distract Gorres the rest of the way. In round 8, the Thai was deducted a point for excessive holding in the head and on several occasions he pinned Gorres down on the mat as if it were a wrestling match.

"I tried very hard to knock him out to please my fans, but he’s just a tough fighter," admitted Gorres.

"If the Thai had not been a dirty fighter, Gorres could have done better," remarked Aldeguer.

Gorres is set to fight next in the undercard of Marco Antonio Barrera’s WBC super featherweight title defense against Rocky Juarez on May 20 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. This will be his first ring duty under the aegis of Golden Boy Promotions.

Later in the night, Jojo Bardon, managed by Cebuano big-time promoter and Manny Pacquiao’s right-hand man Rex "Wakee" Salud, gatecrashed what could have been a big party for the ALA Boys after he pulled off a split decision win over Rocky Fuentes to win the RP flyweight championship.

In one of the most-applauded fights, Fuentes landed a solid left hook to the jaw that sent Bardon down at the seat of his pants exactly at the end of the second round. Bardon, however, fired back in the third by throwing in a series of telling blows to the head and body that sent Fuentes wobbling against the ropes. Fortunately, Fuentes was saved by the bell.

The two protagonists locked themselves up in an intense exchange of blows, but Bardon stood his ground by patiently wearing down Fuentes with his counter-punching skills.

Judge Ben Necessario and Edward Ligas both scored 115-113 for Bardon, while Johnny Davis had it 115-113 for Fuentes for the split verdict.

That was the only blemish for what had been a stellar night for the ALA ring gladiators.

Reigning WBO Asia Pacific super featherweight champion Czar Amonsot capped the night by prevailing over the iron-chinned Decho Bankluaygym of Thailand via unanimous decision.

Amonsot was somewhat pissed off by Decho’s antics that the Tagbilaran City brawler still trade several blows with the Thai even if the bout has already ended. Amonsot sustained a cut below his left eye, but it was not a threat to his May 12 bout in the US.

Earlier, ALA Boys AJ Banal, Robert Allanic, and Rey Caitom made good account of themselves in the explosive fisticuffs presented by SGG Sports Promotions of international promoter Sammy Gello-ani.

Banal scored a one-punch knockout of Thai Dechapol Bankluaygym with just 49 seconds gone by in the first round. Banal planted a wicked left straight to the belly that flattened the Thai visitor for good.

Dechapol laid prostrate for several minutes on the canvass. After being given first aid by ringside physician, he was carried on a stretcher with an oxygen attached to his nostrils. The Thai was later declared in safe condition.

Allanic, on the other hand, disposed off Robert Rubillar of Manila’s Elorde Stable by unanimous decision, while Caitom also came up with a one-punch stoppage of Cagayan de Oro City’s Jay Adrias in just 48.

In the other bouts, Boholano Glenn Masicampo beat Japanese welterweight Nori Iwatani by unanimous verdict, while AEV Stable mainstays Frank Albia, Nic Banal, and Niñolito Jalnaiz completed a clean sweep over Joe Galamiton, Rolly Baclayo, and Noel Acasio, respectively.