Gorres wants rematch: Draw averts riot but Shaw to protest

CEBU CITY – Z Gorres and Vic Darchinyan fought to a bloody 12-round split draw in an IBF superflyweight title eliminator that was marred by New Zealand referee Lance Revill’s questionable officiating at the jampacked Waterfront Hotel and Casino ballroom here last Saturday night.

Plastic water bottles and coins bombarded the ring when Revill called a knockdown after Gorres slipped in the first round. Two of the three judges, however, scored it 10-9 instead of 10-8, indicating their disagreement with Revill’s call. 

As Darchinyan taunted the hometown favorite, the crowd got unruly, prompting Games and Amusements Board (GAB) chairman Eric Buhain to appeal for sobriety through the public address system – but not before the Australian bully’s trainer Billy Hussein was struck on the nape by a flying bottle.

Like a wounded tiger, Gorres stormed out of his corner to deck Darchinyan with a right hook to the chin in the second round and nearly put the lights out on the Australian. He was masterful in dodging the visitor’s vaunted left straight, ducking low to avoid the rushes then straightening up to throw him off balance.

When Darchinyan realized the adjustment in Gorres’ defense, he held off his aggressive attack and turned counterpuncher. The trick turned the tide and slowly, he began to find his range. In the fifth, Gorres went down from a left hook and held on to Darchinyan’s leg as he was dragged across the canvas. Ironically, Revill ruled it a slip. The next round, an accidental headbutt opened a nasty cut on Gorres’ temple. Revill never bothered to summon the ringside physician to examine the wound.

With blood spewing out from his cut, Gorres faded in the seventh and was repeatedly pushed down by Darchinyan who received no warning from Revill. But Gorres came back to take the eighth round in the three judges scorecards with sharp combinations from long range. Gorres’ legs were no longer as sturdy and caved in when Darchinyan landed a left to the face to score another knockdown in the ninth.

The fans chanted Gorres’ name to get him going in the last few rounds but he was almost out of gas. Darchinyan was just as exhausted when the final bell rang.

The decision caught the spectators by surprise. Filipino Jonathan Davis, a banker from Cebu, saw it 114-112 for Darchinyan, awarding the last four rounds to the Australian. Montol Suriyachand of Thailand had it 113-112 for Gorres. Australian Cec Perkins scored it a draw, 113-113.

Expecting a victory, Darchinyan’s camp raised a howl. One of Darchinyan’s cornermen engaged Revill in a shouting match as they exited the ballroom and New Jersey promoter Gary Shaw prevented what could’ve been an ugly brawl.

Revill apologized to Gorres for his mistake in the first round but insisted the cut on his temple was inflicted by a blow. It was the first fight outside of New Zealand for the Auckland referee whom Shaw described as “close to being inept.” Revill’s inexperience was evident.

IBF president Marian Muhammad initially assigned Australian John Wright as referee then gave the job to Revill when she rejected Bruce McTavish, a New Zealander who has lived in the Philippines for over 30 years with his Filipina wife and their two children, for failing to renew his membership. McTavish, who was recommended by the camps of both Darchinyan and Gorres, said he had just reapplied for membership but the IBF had not yet received his $150 renewal check. McTavish said the draw was a victory for Gorres who was fortunate not to lose.

Shaw described the decision as “disgraceful” and said he would file a protest before the IBF. He thought Darchinyan was the runaway winner with Gorres unable to mount a sustained offensive down the stretch.

International matchmaker Sampson Lewkowicz said the protest, which is formalized by posting a $20,000 bond, will not likely be pursued as the IBF is expected to order a rematch with a purse bidding. Shaw said if the bid is won by Gorres’ camp, Darchinyan will refuse to fight in the Philippines.

GAB boxing chief Dr. Nasser Cruz said the decision was “a blessing in disguise” because if either fighter won, a riot would’ve erupted. Darchinyan’s camp would’ve gone ballistic if Gorres prevailed and the fans would’ve thrown more bottles and coins into the ring if the Australian got the verdict. 

Buhain said while the outcome was unclear, what was clear was Gorres’ display of courage under fire. Gorres, nearly out on his feet in the last few rounds, survived the distance in a gutsy stand.

Gorres said he’ll agree to a rematch. “No problem,” he muttered in the dressing room in Filipino. “I was never really hurt. I think (WBO superflyweight champion Fernando) Montiel was a tougher opponent.”

Lewkowicz said Gorres should be able to knock out Darchinyan in the rematch, now that he knows he can hurt the burly “Raging Bull.”

Darchinyan was disappointed with the draw. “I’d rather win or lose a fight but I can’t take a draw,” he blurted out.

Gorres’ cutman Tony Martin, an Englishman who flew in from Las Vegas for the bout, said the wound will take about four stitches to sew up. “The cut hit a vein so it was difficult to stop the bleeding,” he said. “I don’t think the cut took away Z’s energy. I’ve seen worse. I just feel so bad for (ALA stable owner) Tony (Aldeguer) because Z is so close to becoming a world champion. I saw Z grow up in Cebu before I took my family to Vegas. So I feel for him, too.”

Several fans who came for the fight said Gorres was lucky to escape defeat and accused Darchinyan of using foul tactics.

In other bouts, Philippine superlightweight champion Mark Jason Melligen pounded out a unanimous 10-round decision over durable Tia Koswara of Indonesia, Australia’s William Kickitt outpointed Davao City’s Romeo Jakosalem in a lightweight six, James Bacon decisioned Diosdado Perez in a featherweight six, Rollen del Castillo halted Fabio Marfa in the seventh of a lightflyweight tenner and Rey Villar scored a unanimous four-round verdict over Fil-Am J. V. (The Fighting Doctor) Tuazon of New Jersey.