Gorres to showcase power vs Kenyan

IBF No. 4 superflyweight contender Z Gorres is out to unravel the power that critics doubt he has in facing Nick (Black Sugar) Otieno of Kenya in a must-win 12-round bout at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino in Cebu City tonight.

If Gorres beats Otieno, he’ll be in line to challenge the winner of the Aug. 2 fight between defending champion Dimitri Kirilov of Russia and Vic Darchinyan of Australia for the IBF crown. If he loses, it could be the end of his career.

Gorres, 26, said his failure to knock out Darchinyan in their split draw last February was a disappointment and vowed to make up for it against Otieno.

“I’ve worked on developing more power in the gym with my trainer Edito (Villamor),” said Gorres in Filipino. “I don’t want to disappoint the fans whom, I know, want to see a knockout. I want them to get their money’s worth.”

To prepare for Otieno, Gorres sparred with much heavier fighters, including sensational 15-year-old Jason Pagara who takes on Indonesia’s Heri Andriyanto for the WBO Youth lightweight title in the undercard.  

“I didn’t hold back in sparring,” said Gorres. “Edito picked bigger sparmates so I could hit as hard as I could. I’ll do everything to score a convincing win over Otieno.”

Gorres said to practice his defense and footwork, he sparred with the likes of flyweight Rocky Fuentes. It’s the total package of power, speed, defense and footwork that Gorres will bring to the ring against Otieno whom ALA stable owner Tony Aldeguer described as a dangerous opponent.

Although he’s not looking beyond Otieno, Gorres said his dream is to whip Darchinyan in a rematch.

“I hope Darchinyan beats Kirilov so we can meet again,” said Gorres. “I want to prove I’m the better fighter. I knocked him down in our first fight. Next time, I’ll knock him out. Some fans thought I should’ve lost in our first fight and I was lucky to get a draw. But I promise if and when we fight again, there will be no doubt I am the better fighter.”

Gorres said he won’t forget the lesson he learned in losing a split decision to WBO superflyweight champion Fernando Montiel in his first attempt to win a world title last year.

“I shouldn’t be carried away by emotion,” he said. “I realize the value of experience. I could’ve done more against Montiel even though I thought I won. Otieno is my stepping stone for another shot at the world title. I can’t afford to lose to him. I must be at my best.”