Gorres returns to local ring against Thai

Promising Filipino boxer Z Gorres struts his stuff again before local fight fans as he takes on Deeden Kengkarun of Thailand in a special 10-round bout this Saturday at the newly-renovated San Andres gym.

Billed as "Return of the Z," the boxing promotion will be Gorres’ first ring appearance since his remarkable first round demolition of Los Angeles-based Glenn Donaire in the undercard of the Manny Pacquiao-Eric Morales super-featherweight match in Las Vegas, Nevada four months ago.

The hard-hitting protégé of boxing patron Tony Aldeguer vows to put on a similar show against his Thai opponent in their super-flyweight match this weekend.

"Preparado po ako para sa laban na ito," said Gorres when he appeared in the weekly PSA Forum yesterday at the main function room of the Pantalan Restaurant in Manila. "Continuous po ang training ko straight from the US."

Also with Gorres in the public sports program sponsored by Red Bull, Circure, Supermax, PAGCOR and Manila Mayor Lito Atienza were Cebu promoter Sammy Gello-ani, American agent Mike Kocz, World Boxing Organization (WBO) Asia-Pacific representative Leon Panoncillo, Kengkarun and fellow Filipino boxers Ray "Boom Boom" Bautista and Michael Domingo.

Domingo is set to meet Joel Bauya for the Philippine bantamweight crown while Bautista is gearing up for his Aug. 19 fight in Sacramento, California where he is expected to headline a special boxing promotion, according to Kocz.

"We will only know his (Bautista) opponent this afternoon (yesterday), but he’ll definitely be the main attraction in the boxing card we’re putting up on Aug. 19," assured Kocz, the same American agent who facilitated Bobby Pacquiao’s recent US fight.

Bautista, named after legendary boxer Ray "Boom Boom" Mancini, is the reigning WBO AsPac bantamweight champion. He currently sports a mean record of 15 wins with no loss, including 11 by knockouts.

"Gagawin ko po ang lahat ng aking makakaya para maging susunod na Filipino world champion," said the 19-year old Bautista, who also belongs to Aldeguer’s stable of boxers.

Like Bautista, Gorres is just as impressive with his record of 20 wins, 1 loss, 1 draw and 11 knockouts.

But his Thai foe is hardly bothered by it.

"My boy will try to go back to Thailand a winner," said Kengkarun through his manager and interpreter.