Aldeguer rules out rematch

CEBU CITY – Businessman Tony Aldeguer said he won’t press for a rematch between his protégé Z Gorres and Fernando Montiel despite the controversial split decision the Mexican won in retaining the World Boxing Organization (WBO) superflyweight crown here Saturday night.

"We’re moving on," said Aldeguer whose son Michael is Gorres’ registered manager. "Gorres did his best and we’re proud of what he did. We’ll look at options other than the WBO. Gorres is ranked No. 1 by the IBF (International Boxing Federation) where the title is vacant. We’ll try to explore the possibility of fighting for another world title."

Aldeguer was visibly distraught that New York referee Samuel Viruet deducted two points from Gorres for holding without issuing a single warning.

Games and Amusements Board boxing chief Dr. Nasser Cruz, watching at ringside, said Viruet was out of line in deducting two points from Gorres. But even with the deductions, Cruz said he felt Gorres had done enough to win a close decision.

New Zealand referee Bruce McTavish said in his unofficial scorecard, he saw Gorres the winner, 115-113, but with the two-point deductions, his final tally was a draw.

Golden Boy Promotions international matchmaker Sampson Lewkowicz said he, too, thought Gorres won but could understand why the two of the three judges gave their nod to Montiel.

"A challenger should beat a champion convincingly to deserve the decision," said Lewkowicz. "Gorres dominated in the early rounds but lost the last three."

Malabon businessman Polding Correa, who was Manny Pacquiao’s first manager, said Gorres clearly deserved the decision. Former Oriental champion Malcolm Tunacao said Gorres won by a point in his scorecard.

"Gorres was robbed," said ring announcer and boxing writer Ted Lerner who couldn’t believe how judges Raul Caiz Sr. had it 115-111, and Chuck Giampa, 114-112, for Montiel. Judge Denny Nelson scored it, 115-111, for Gorres. The announcement of the verdict stunned the crowd of 15,000 into disbelief.

Gorres wept unabashedly in the dressing room after the fight. "I’m sorry," he repeatedly told Aldeguer who consoled him by saying there was nothing to be ashamed of.

Gorres, 24, had planned to marry Duchess, the mother of their three children Dheybert, 4, Sheiladhey, 2, and Zhey, nine months, if he beat Montiel. Now, the wedding plans are back on hold.

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Montiel, 27, admitted he was lucky to win and said he would agree to a rematch if the price is right. He had a large bandage over the cut near his left eye and said the wound didn’t require stitches.

The Mexican said his goal is to lure Jorge Arce into a big-money fight. He flew back to Mexico with his three brothers Manuel, Jr., Eduardo and Pedro and father Manuel, Sr. yesterday night.

Montiel’s father manages 10 fighters, including WBO lightflyweight titlist Hugo Cazeres. He was a former Mexican flyweight champion who once lost a decision to Hall of Famer Miguel Canto.

Montiel has a daughter Kiriam, 7, and is expecting a son from his girlfriend Angelica, four months pregnant. His all-time boxing idol is Sugar Ray Leonard.

Montiel said fighting in an opponent’s hometown has never bothered him. In 2002, he went to Munich to fight German challenger Zoltan Lunka and scored a seventh round knockout to retain his WBO flyweight crown.

Montiel overcame a slow start to finish strong against Gorres. "I fought with a lot of heart," said Montiel.

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In other bouts on the "Moment of Truth" card, Jimrex Jaca knocked out Indonesia’s Simson Butar Butar to win the WBO Asia Pacific superfeatherweight title, superflyweight A. J. Banal raised his record to 12-0-1 by stopping Thailand’s Komrit 3-K Battery at 2:11 of the first round, veteran Bert Batawang halted Indonesia’s teen-aged Shofyan Effendi at 2:12 of the fourth round and the late Flash Elorde’s grandson Juan Martin made an auspicious pro debut with a four-round unanimous decision win over Joseph Mateo.