Gorres inspires ALA Boys to excel

MANILA, Philippines - Even as former world title challenger Z Gorres was forced into early retirement because of a head injury, he continues to inspire his ALA stablemates who are now more determined to excel in the ring.

That’s the word from ALA Boxing president Michael Aldeguer who said Gorres’ tragedy has lit a fire in Michael Domingo, A. J. Banal, Rey (Boom Boom) Bautista, Milan Melindo, Mark Jason Melligen, Jason Pagara and Donnie Nietes to uphold the stricken fighter’s legacy.

“What happened to Gorres was for a reason that only God knows,” Aldeguer told The Star. “It could influence our fighters in a good or bad way, depending on how they take it. Gorres is doing really well. He can speak straight and his mind is sharp. His problem in speaking isn’t because of the head injury but because of the surgery he had in the throat due to complications during his confinement in the ICU in Las Vegas. It may take time for him to walk straight but he’s improving fast. The fact that he is alive and enjoying life with his wife and kids is a miracle. He has won the hearts of Filipinos and others around the world which he might not have done as a world champion. He has become very popular because of his humility and personality. He is one of the nicest guys you could ever meet.”

Gorres, 28, underwent surgery to remove a blood clot in his brain after losing consciousness in the ring in Las Vegas last November. He suffered a knockdown in the final minute of the last round but survived the count to beat Colombia’s Luis Melendez by unanimous decision. As Gorres was about to leave the ring, he complained that he couldn’t move his legs. Then, he collapsed.

Last month, Melendez went to Cebu City and battled Domingo while Gorres watched at ringside. Domingo exacted sweet revenge by knocking out Melendez in the second round.

“After scoring the knockout, Domingo raised his fist to Gorres as if to say, ‘this was for you,’” said Aldeguer. “Gorres raised his fist, too. What made it so emotional was when Gorres walked to his seat, he got a standing ovation from the crowd. Gorres had tears in his eyes and so with several fans. Gorres was so happy that Domingo won. He couldn’t believe the reception he got from the crowd.”

As for Melendez, he spoke to Gorres when it was all over. “Melendez told Gorres he was happy to see him fine,” related Aldeguer. “Melendez is a nice guy but he’s different on top of the ring. His manager Osvaldo Martinez was also very pleasant. He didn’t talk about his claim that time was cut short and prevented Melendez from knocking out Gorres. In the press conference, Martinez called Gorres the best fighter in the Philippines next to Manny Pacquiao because of how Gorres fought (Fernando) Montiel in 2007. A lot of fans thought Gorres should’ve won the decision. Martinez speculated that if ever Gorres fought Montiel again, he would win.”

Domingo, 30, flattened Melendez with a shot to the body. “Melendez was frustrated that he got knocked out because he has a reputation of never giving up,” continued Aldeguer. “But the pain was just too much and he had to go to the hospital for an X-ray. There was nothing broken in his ribs but he was told to take a rest. Melendez didn’t bother to ask for a rematch.”

Aldeguer said Domingo is waiting for a title crack but no champion is rushing to face him. Montiel, Yonnhy Perez and Eric Morel rejected offers to meet Domingo and chose to fight a less dangerous opponent.

Banal was slated to battle Nicaragua’s Luis Perez in Cebu on Aug. 28 but is now booked to tangle with Japanese Hayato Kimura, known as Big Yoo, in Tagbilaran on July 17. Yoo, who lives in Seoul, is a former WBO interim superflyweight champion with a record of 16-2, with 11 KOs. Banal, 21, has won four in a row, three by knockout, since losing to Rafael Concepcion two years ago. His record is 21-1-1, with 17 KOs.

Bautista, 23, will see action in San Diego on Aug. 14.

Aldeguer said neither Banal nor Bautista is lined up for a title shot this year.

“We have no plans for A. J. and Boom Boom to fight for the world title even next year as they are both still quite young,” said Aldeguer. “There is no substitute for experience and they still have all the time to learn and improve. They need to work on a lot of things to become better fighters. The chance to fight for a world title will come at the right time. They have already experienced the pain of losing a title shot but in some ways, that has helped them mature fast and become better fighters and persons. Boom Boom may need more time because of the long lay-off due to his hand injury that needed major surgery.”

Aldeguer said the unbeaten Melindo, 22, will fight in Cebu in August or September. “We feel that Milan is ready to fight for a world title,” he went on. “In fact, we offered Carlos Tamara to fight Milan in Manila but they turned it down and opted to fight in Argentina. We are just waiting for the right time to fight for a world title. As for Melligen, he will fight Anges Adjaho in Reno on July 3. He’s training at Mayweather’s gym in Las Vegas. The sparring he gets there has helped him a lot because he gets to spar with Floyd Mayweather, Marcus Maidana, Devon Alexander and a lot of up-and-coming fighters.”

Another ALA fighter being groomed for the big time is 17-year-old Philippine lightweight titlist Pagara who takes on Korea’s Kim Young Bin in the Banal-Yoo undercard on July 17.

Finally, there is Nietes who has repulsed four challengers since claiming the WBO minimumweight title in 2007. Nietes and Pacquiao are the only reigning Filipino world champions today.