From M to Z

Saturday’s battle for the vacant WBO Oriental bantamweight title, dubbed “Hatol: Judgment at the Waterfront” will be a major turning point for Z Gorres. After holding the formidable Vic Darchinyan to an impressive draw which both sides questioned in February of 2008, Gorres seemed on his way to a world title. Gorres overwhelmed the tough Kenyan Nick Otieno for a one-sided unanimous decision. He takes on Roberto Carlos “Mako” Leyra, a Mexican gambler in the ring. Leyra has 25 wins (20 by knockout) to go with eight losses. Leyra has lost his last two in contrasting fashion, the last one by unanimous decision to Benjamin Garcia. Prior to that, Leyra was knocked out in the fourth round by Edgar Sosa in a tussle for the WBC light flyweight title.

Gorres was catapulted into public consciousness after holding his own against Darchinyan, who had previously been dealt his first defeat by IBO and IBF flyweight champion Nonito Donaire Jr. in devastating fashion. Darchinyan couldn’t accept being held even by a newcomer – and another Filipino. Gorres is aiming for more attention and world-ranking status, and possibly get more fights abroad. “The Dream” is a tactically sound fighter, very mature and obervant in the ring.

The native of Nasipit, Agusan del Norte has been handled quite well by ALA gym, and is learning a lot from his more experienced stablemates.

Gorres has assured the public of a great fight. At 118, he’s had to make some adjustments to increase his quickness, but doesn’t foresee any stumbling blocks. If he gets past Leyra, the next target is WBO super flyweight champion Fernando Montiel. Montiel, nicknamed “Cochulito,” has 38 wins and 28 knockouts, with only two defeats.

Cochulito has won his last six fights, four of them by knockout.

Montiel is a lethal fighter, whose accuracy is unparalleled. He is a confident champion who is just hitting his peak. A win over him would make Gorres an international big-ticket name.

Milan Melindo will also be taking a huge step to international recognition, when he faces former IBF world champion Muhammad Rachman in the undercard. “Milenyo,” so christened after the devastating typhoon a few years back, is undefeated with 17 wins and five kncokouts. Unlike his more spectacular stablemates, Melindo, very shy and quiet outside the ring, is very methodical and patient. He adapts very easily to an opponent, and will score the points he knows he can score, instead of leaving himself open for a counter-attack should he be tempted to gamble on getting a knockout.

In July of last year, Melindo earned a very important win over hard-nosed Panamanian Carlos Melo, annexing the WBA inter-continental lightflyweight title. Like many of his countrymen who earn the respect of their opponents, Melo did not back off, and would not go away.

Melindo needed all the tricks in his arsenal to keep from taking punishment from the relentless invader. More recently, in October, Melindo scored a huge knockout win over Juma Fundi to secure the WBO Asia-Pacific minimumweight title, the weight class where he is most comfortable.

At 37, Rachman is on the downward slope of his career, but is very dangerous and occasionally dirty. His record of 62 wins with only six losses speaks volumes about his durability and savvy. He lost his title in his last fight against Filipino Florante Condes in Jakarta in July of 2007. It was very painful for Rachman to lose in front of his countrymen, more so by split decision. He last saw action in July, when he escaped Edren Dapudong in a close unanimous decision. It was Dapudong’s first loss after eight wins.

Rachman’s goal is to knock out Melindo, then go after the WBO minimumweight champion Donnie Nietes. One thing going for Milendo, however, is Rachman’s aversion to fighting outside his own country, where he has not had much luck. Nietes, meanwhile, will be providing inspiration for his countrymen at ringside.

“Hatol” will also mark the return of former WBO Oriental bantamweight champion Michael Domingo. Domingo, who knocked out Gerry Peñalosa’s nemesis Ratanachai Sor Vorapin in the ninth round in September, was diagnosed with Hepatitis B in the United States, and was forced to take a medical leave. He faces Monico Laurente, who sports a mediocre eight-win, four-loss record. Domingo is a tactical fighter who is defensively very strong, and attacks the body well. Domingo, who fancies himself a miniature Bruce Lee, was finally starting to reap international respect at the time of the diagnosis. Before the diagnosis, Domingo has won his last six bouts, the last three by KO.

Domingo is a slow starter who keeps the pressure on, as well. He looks for opportunities, and will put on a flurry to get the KO if the opening arises. He is a very welcome sight to fans who love the underdog who works his way to the top.

Saturday’s card will be a great showcase of ALA’s best talent. There are risks for the Pinoy fighters, especially since all those mentioned here are at a crossroads. But their handlers are confident that they’ve done their job, and all that remains is to kick some visitors’ butts.

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This writer would like to thank the staff of Globe Telecoms Mall of Asia branch for their assistance during an emergency last Friday night. Special thanks to manager Bong Salvador.