Gorres back to gym

Z Gorres will never become a world boxing champion. At 30 today, he would’ve still been active in the ring if not for a dreadful incident that ended his career in Las Vegas over three years ago. Gorres was ahead on points when with about 20 seconds remaining in the fight, he took a left straight to the jaw from Luis Melendez, went down and hit his head on the lower rope strand, causing a whiplash. He managed to beat the 10-count and finished the bout on his feet.  But the damage to his brain was severe.

After Gorres was declared the winner, he walked unsteadily back to his corner and told his manager Michael Aldeguer that for some reason, his left leg felt limp. Then, Gorres collapsed and lost consciousness. He underwent an emergency brain operation at the University Medical Center within the next hour. Two months later, Gorres had a second surgery to reattach the bone in the skull previously removed for doctors to drain the blood clot in his brain. Gorres was in the US for three months before finally returning home to Cebu for a tearful reunion with his four children.

In 2007, Gorres should’ve become the WBO superflyweight champion but lost a highly-disputed split 12-round decision to defending titlist Fernando Montiel in Cebu. Minnesota judge Dennis Nelson scored it 115-111 for Gorres but Las Vegas judge Chuck Giampa had it 114-112 and Mexican judge Raul Caiz Sr. 115-111 for Montiel. Gorres was lined up to face Montiel in a rematch, this time for the WBO bantamweight crown, in Las Vegas on Feb. 13, 2010, but tragedy struck in the Melendez tune-up three months before.

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Melendez, a tough Colombian warrior, didn’t give Gorres trouble until the 10th and final round. Gorres toyed with him and even decked Melendez in the third. But like Manny Pacquiao in his fourth fight against Juan Manuel Marquez, Gorres got careless. A desperate Melendez struck hard when Gorres momentarily brought down his guard. The blow, however, wasn’t enough to earn the decision for the Colombian who in two of the three judges’ scorecards, took only the last round. Gorres ended his career on a victorious but ironically a dour note. He never fought again, closing out his career with a 31-2-2 record, including 17 KOs. Melendez went on to lose four more fights, including a knockout to Gorres’ stablemate Michael Domingo in Cebu, and has gained a “trialhorse” reputation in a journeyman career. On Feb. 22, he meets Joseph Agbeko for the vacant IBO bantamweight diadem in Ghana.

Since the Melendez fight, Gorres has survived four operations, two in Las Vegas and two in Cebu. The two Las Vegas surgeries had to do with his brain and the two Cebu operations were to remove a blockage in his throat affecting his breathing and voice. 

Gorres’ weight has ballooned to about 160 pounds due to lack of physical exercise. At first, he was hardly mobile and moved around in a wheelchair. But after months of physical therapy, he is now able to walk although his left leg is still fitted with a brace. Gorres doesn’t use a cane or a walker even as there is still little sensitivity in his left leg. 

Aldeguer sends a service car to bring Gorres, fondly called Buchoy, to the ALA Gym three to four days a week for workouts. “Buchoy wants to train fighters but doctors won’t allow it unless he loses weight,” said Aldeguer. “He walks around our 250-meter track oval when he comes to the gym then watches our fighters spar, giving tips and pointers. Our family continues to support Buchoy. He runs a variety store with his wife Dachess and they sell things like soap, vinegar and garments. We’re very grateful to those who’ve helped out Buchoy, including Dr. Gary Rivera, Manny Pacquiao and Nonito Donaire Jr. We’re also thankful to fans from all over the world who continue to pray for Buchoy’s full recovery and return to good health.”

During his two-month confinement at the University Medical Center in Las Vegas, Gorres racked up a bill amounting to over $600,000 – way above the insurance of $50,000 with a $500 deductible provided by Top Rank which promoted the fight against Melendez. Las Vegas taxpayers wound up footing the balance of Gorres’ bill. The $50,000 health insurance was computed on the basis of a $3,100 premium cost to cover 20 fighters in a 10-bout card. Two years ago, legislation was proposed to increase the health insurance of fighters to $200,000 but there was opposition from the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) because it would mean increasing the price of tickets to the public’s dismay. The proposal never got to second base.

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Last August, Democrat Las Vegas Assemblyman Harvey Munford said he would revive his proposal of increasing health insurance for boxers particularly as the NSAC earned a record $5.3 million in fees during the 2011-12 fiscal year. The fees reflected a 71 percent increase in the NSAC’s coffers. Munford said the NSAC should allot a percentage of its fees for health insurance.

“Our consolation is Buchoy is alive, able to speak and isn’t wheelchair-bound,” said Aldeguer. “He doesn’t speak with a slur although sometimes, it’s difficult to hear him because of his throat infection. He had to go through two throat operations to clear the blockage and remove the infection. We’re all inspired seeing Buchoy on the track oval. He wants to be useful in his life and our family is doing everything we can to support him.”

It’s a tribute to the Aldeguers’ sincerity that they’ve stayed in Gorres’ corner through the good and bad times. If boxing is a cruel sport, the dedication that the Aldeguers – Michael and his father Tony – show to their fighters is a soothing balm.