IBF WON'T ALLOW GORRES EXHIBITION BOUT
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 21 Nov 2007
Gorres.
The IBF wont allow Z ?The Dream? Gorres to go ahead and face Indonesian slugger Jemmy Gobel (14-3-3, 11 KO?s) in an eight round exhibition bout in Mandaue City on December 8.
The exhibition bout was planned as part of Gorres' preparation for the February 2, 2008 IBF super flyweight eliminator against IBO champion Vic Darchinyan with the winner getting a mandatory shot at newly crowned champion Dimitri Kirilov of Russia who is handled by celebrated trainer Freddie Roach.
IBF Championship Committee chairman Lindsey Tucker Jr informed Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today that the IBF ?doesn?t want any boxer scheduled in an IBF fight to fight an exhibition. We are concerned that someone may get injured.?
Tucker emphasized that ?once we approve a fight we don?t want either fighter taking another fight.? He also pointed out that it would be unfair to Darchinyan ?who didn?t take a fight or participate in an exhibition? after the contract for the eliminator was signed and approved by the IBF.
Darchinyan who lost his IBF and IBO flyweight titles when he suffered a stunning fifth round knockout at the hands of ?The Filipino Flash? Nonito Donaire last July 7 moved up in weight and recently won the IBO super flyweight title with a 12th round TKO over rugged Federico Catubay.
However, Australian TV official Mat Brooks who has showcased many Darchinyan fights on Sky Channel has been quoted by Sports Nut as saying that Darchinyan desperately needs a tune-up fight. But that cannot happen under IBF rules now that the fight contract has been signed.
Brooks was quoted as saying that Darchinyan ?got hit with some big shots and looked very uncomfortable at times? against Catubay.?
Former multi-titled world champion Jeff Fenech has warned Gorres that Darchinyan is ?a very, very tough kid.? However, in an interview with Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today Fenech who won world titles in three weight divisions said that in his last fight against rugged Filipino Federico Catubay, Darchinyan ?didn?t look like the devastating fighter he was earlier? especially when he was knocked out by ?The Filipino Flash? Nonito Donaire last July 7.
Fenech said the ?invincibility or effect (of Darchinyan) is gone so people want to fight him now.? He said Darchinyan has a big mountain to climb against Gorres but he has a good chance ?if he trains properly.?
Fenech described Darchinyan as an ?arrogant little fighter? who thinks he can beat anybody but said that if he concedes ?everybody is equal then it will be much easier for him.?
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
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