MANDAUE CITY SETS HERO'S WELCOME FOR GORRES
By Emmanuel B. Villaruel
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 15 Aug 2007
The city government of Mandaue under the flagship of Mayor Jonas Cortes will roll out a red-carpet welcome for its hometown pride Z "The Dream" Gorres when he comes home from a glorious campaign in the United States that once again put the Mandauehanons on the international map of boxing.
In a classic display of ring savvy, the vastly-improved Gorres scored a masterful eighth round TKO victory over former WBC light flyweight champion Eric Ortiz to snatch the IBF Intercontinental super flyweight crown last Sunday at the Arco Arena in Sacramento, California.
Gorres' demolition of Ortiz sealed the victory of the Filipinos over the Mexicans in the multi-million Philippines vs. Mexico Boxing World Cup. Overall, the Philippines won five out of six bouts against Mexico to take possession of the gold and diamond-laced US$500,000 trophy.
"The victory of Gorres is a big honor for the Mandauehanons especially that he was bringing the name of Mandaue City. We are very proud of him. We will give him a hero's welcome for him upon his return to Cebu," said Cortes.
Cortes bared that he will coordinate with the Mandaue Big Bikers Association to spearhead a huge motorcade that will lead the 25-year-old Gorres to the city hall where a grand welcome highlighted by a short program await the Cebuano champion.
"We will be preparing also a short program for Gorres and all those who are involved in his team so they will be properly honored and recognized with their efforts," added Cortes, himself a boxing enthusiast. "Gorres deserved the championship and I wish him continued success."
Gorres, who presently resides in Brgy. Ibabao, arrived in Cebu last night together with ALA Stable trainers Edito and Edmund Villamor, ALA manager Michael Aldeguer and well-known international promoter Sammy Gello-ani.
Cortes said they will also give cash incentive to Gorres. Although they have yet to determine the amount, vice mayor Carlo Pontico Fortuna said it will range from P10,000 to P50,000 - the maximum amount the city is usually handing out to its athletes who excelled in major international competitions.
Gorres, who holds an improved 27-2-1 win-loss-draw record now dotted with 5KOs since turning pro in 2001, was almost discarded from the World Cup due to eye problem. But after a thorough examination, American eye specialist Dr. Steven Steinschriber cleared Gorres and gave him the go signal to fight in the World Cup.
It was the second time Gorres won a regional belt. He beat Thai Waenpetch Chuwata by 12-round unanimous to wrest the OPBF super flyweight crown on March 18 last year at the Mandaue City Cultural and Sports Complex.
Gorres vied for the WBO super flyweight title, but lost by a highly questionable decision to defending champion Fernando Montiel of Mexico in the "Moment of Truth" card last February 25 at the Cebu City Sports Center.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Emmanuel B. Villaruel.
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