Whether or not Z Gorres will fight Mexico’s Gerson Guerrero in Golden Boy’s “World Cup” card in Sacramento on Aug. 11 is to be decided after a critical eye check-up by ophthalmologist Dr. Steven Steinschriber tomorrow.
ALA stable owner Tony Aldeguer said yesterday Dr. Steinschriber will re-examine Gorres’ eye then submit his findings to the California State Athletic Commission. Based on Dr. Steinschriber’s recommendation and the Commission’s decision, Golden Boy vice president Eric Gomez will announce if the IBF superflyweight title eliminator is to push through or not.
At the moment, Aldeguer said the fight is still on.
Two weeks ago, a slight linear tear was discovered in Gorres’ eye during a routine medical checkup in Los Angeles and the fighter was referred to Dr. Steinschriber for further tests. A laser procedure was performed to repair the tear which was described as not career-threatening. Dr. Steinschriber’s re-examination will determine if Gorres is fit to fight or not.
Aldeguer said Gorres wept when he heard the fight could be scratched. But he hasn’t lost hope.
“If there is a risk, I will be the first to pull Buchoy (Gorres) out of the fight,” said Aldeguer. “We’ve been assured by Dr. Steinschriber that there is no threat of blindness, that the chances are 90 percent for Buchoy to be able to fight. I would be hesitant if the chances were even 50-50. The prognosis is good. I told Buchoy to assume the fight will go on.”
Gorres has been advised to stop sparring until Dr. Steinschriber allows it but continues to train in the gym. Aldeguer said the interruption won’t hamper Gorres’ chances against Guerrero if the fight isn’t cancelled.
“Buchoy has sparred over 100 rounds and he’s at the tailend of his training so this won’t affect his conditioning,” said Aldeguer. “Besides, I think it’s better to be a little under-trained than to be a little over-trained. Buchoy is just maintaining his gymwork, keeping fit. Right now, sparring more rounds is the least of my concerns.”
Aldeguer said Gorres has never suffered from blurred vision and was surprised when the slight tear was detected. Tests showed no damage to the retina.
“At first, I was quite depressed, especially since I know Buchoy has worked so hard to prepare for this fight,” said Aldeguer. “After we were told of Dr. Steinschriber’s prognosis, our spirits got a boost. Buchoy is ready to fight right now. He’s mentally and physically prepared. He has my full support. On the phone, he told me not to worry because he won’t give Guerrero a chance to hit him the entire fight.”
Aldeguer said talk of replacing Gorres with either Diosdado Gabi or Vernie Torres is premature.
“Golden Boy has made no announcement whatsoever of a change,” said Aldeguer. “I understand Gabi won’t be able to make 115 pounds and Torres may not be in shape. I’m sure Golden Boy will protect the value of the card. We’ll wait for Dr. Steinschriber’s re-examination then Golden Boy will announce if the fight is still a go.”
If Gorres is pulled out of the “World Cup” card, Aldeguer said Golden Boy matchmaker Sampson Lewkowicz promised to stage a WBA title eliminator for the southpaw in Cebu late this year.
Gorres, 25, is coming off a disputed loss by a split 12-round decision to Fernando Montiel in a WBO superflyweight title bout and hopes a decisive win over Guerrero will lead to a rematch with the Mexican champion. He has not lost in three US fights so far and totes a 26-2-1 record, with 14 KOs.
Guerrero, 30, has won his last two outings by knockout and once halted WBO lightflyweight titlist Hugo Cazares. His record is 33-7, with 25 KOs.
Aside from Gorres, six Filipinos will see action in the “World Cup” with Rey (Boom Boom) Bautista battling WBO superbantamweight titlist Daniel Ponce de Leon in the main event. The other Filipinos in the blockbuster bill are Gerry Penalosa, A. J. Banal, Bert Batawang, Michael Domingo and Gabi.
Aldeguer said another ALA fighter Czar Amonsot, who suffered a slight bleeding in the outer skull after engaging WBO interim lightweight champion Michael Katsidis in a brutal bout in Las Vegas two weeks ago, will undergo an MRI of the brain in October.
If doctors find no damage, Amonsot will be cleared to resume training. After three more months, he will be tested again and if given a clean bill of health, will begin sparring. The indication is Amonsot will be back in the ring next year.