'Miracle kid' is back home: Z Gorres thanks fans for love and prayers; Wants to be trainer someday

CEBU, Philippines - The fear and sadness that gripped the nation after the ring tragedy that beset him was transformed into overwhelming joy as a grateful Z “The Dream” Gorres returned home to a hero’s welcome laced with the warm embrace of a jubilant Cebuano community yesterday morning.

Just like a world champion, a wheelchair-bound Gorres was mobbed by fans and although he was wearing eyeglasses, it was obvious that tears raced down his cheeks after he saw his kids in what came to be the most dramatic moment of his arrival.

Z then gave each of his four children - Dheybert (7), Shayla (5), Zhey (3) and Khodhey (8 months) - tender hugs and kisses while thanking everyone around him for the outpouring of love and prayers that gave him strength in the most trying time of his life.

Gorres comrades at the ALA Boxing Gym were similarly sentimental upon seeing him at the airport.

“Nalipay gyud ko og dako nga nakakita nako og balik ni Buchoy (Gorres),” said a teary-eyed WBO minimumweight champion Donnie “Ahas’ Nietes, who led ALA fighters in welcoming back their beloved stablemate and close buddy. “Nakahilak mi sa kalipay,” butted in world title hopeful Michael Domingo.

After greeting a large throng of fans and well-meaning friends, Gorres, accompanied by a convoy of over 50 cars that topped any caravan in the Queen City of the South in recent memory, was whisked away to the barangay hall of Estancia-Ibabao in Mandaue City where a brief welcoming program led by Mayor Jonas Cortes was held.

“Dako kaayo ko og pasalamat sa suporta nga inyong gihatag. Salamat sa inyong mga pag-ampo. Thank you kaayo sa tanan,” said Gorres, who still have a slight difficulty in his speech. He gamely struck a pose for fans and occasionally flashed a ‘thumbs up’ sign signifying that he is recovering well from a head injury that cut short his colorful career.

Champion Forever

For his benefactor, revered sports patron Antonio “Bidoy” L. Aldeguer, Gorres is more than a champion as he was able to win friends and influence people out of his plight.

“He has done more than a champion. He was able to create a bill to protect boxers. If he was a world champion, he could have done nothing,” said Aldeguer, referring to the “Z Gorres bill’ being pushed by Frank Slaughter, a boxing coach at the University of Nevada Las Vegas, and a group of law students from UNLV.

Aimed at protecting all fighters, the state bill would give additional protection for underinsured fighters in case of injury. (FREEMAN NEWS)

“He’s more than a champion. He touched other people’s lives. He inspired other boxers. He influenced so many people. That is more meaningful to me,” said Aldeguer, who nurtured the career of Gorres since he was nine years old.

Miracle Kid

US-based Filipino doctor Benito Calderon, president of the Philippine Medical Association (PMA) in Nevada who spearheaded a fund-raising campaign to help defray the medical bills of Gorres, called Gorres as a ‘miracle kid.’

“We are here to deliver Z Gorres alive. He was critical (when he was admitted to the hospital) that we’re thinking he won’t make it but he’s with us here right now. That’s how determined is this guy,” said Calderon.

“This guy is a miracle kid. You can see a big improvement in his condition. He can now walk with a walker. That’s really a good sign. His rehabilitation could be even faster now that he’s with his family,” said Calderon, adding that it may take Gorres four to sixth months to rehabilitate.

Calderon said the amount of Gorres’ hospitalization had reached US$562,000 or roughly P27 million but the financial burden that Gorres bore was minimized because of the trademark ‘Bayanihan’ spirit shown by the magnanimous-hearted Filipinos in the United States.

Calderon and his staff volunteered their service for free, while seven-division world champion Manny Pacquiao intiated his own fund-raiser targeting to generate $500,000. In fact, Gorres and his wife Datches brought along with them 10 balikbayan boxers that were donated by some generous Filipinos in Las Vegas.

“We practically adopted Gorres in Las Vegas,” said Calderon.

In November last year, Gorres collapsed moments after being declared the winner by unanimous decision against Luis Melendez of Colombia in their 10-round bout at the Mandalay House of Blues in Las Vegas. He then underwent a life-threatening surgery at the University Medical Center to remove a blood clot on the left side of his brain.

Since then, Gorres showed positive signs of recovery which Calderon described as “amazing.” “We did not expect he would recover that fast. It’s really amazing,” he said.

Bright Future

Inspite of his predicament, the future of Gorres and his family looked bright with several sectors assuring him of support.

“He’s like a brother to me. We want to take care of his future. He can be part of our company. We will ask him what he wants to do once he fully recovers from his injury,” said ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer.

Senator Manuel “Lito” Lapid has earlier promised to provide Gorres some means of livelihood, while the city government of Cebu, through councilor Sylvan “Jack” Jakosalem, pledged to provide financial assistance for the rehabilitation of Gorres.

“We’re going to support him, maybe financially for his rehabilitation. Gorres fought two of his best fights in Cebu City. This is something we acknowledge,” said Jakosalem.

Prior to the press conference yesterday at Patio Isabel, University of the Visayas (UV) assistant vice president Joselito “Jiji” F. Gullas dropped by to personally hand over to Gorres UV’s financial assistance of P100,000. Gorres formerly studied at UV taking up Bachelor of Science in Computer Science.

Boxing Is In His Blood

Considering that it would be impossible for him to fight again in the ring, Gorres contemplates of becoming a trainer someday.

“Ganahan ko mag trainer puhon kay gusto nako i-share ako nakamaohan,” said Gorres. When pressed if he will allow his sons to take up boxing in the future, Gorres quickly replied: “Depende. Naa rana nila. Dili ko kabuot kon unsay ilang gusto.”

When the same question was thrown to his wife, Datches answered with a big no. “Dako kaayong dili. Pait na gani ang nahitabo sa ako bana samot na kaha sa ako mga anak. Kon mahimo, dili gyud,” said Datches.