‘LORD, DON’T LET HIM DIE IN THE NAME OF JESUS’
By Alex P. Vidal
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 15 Nov 2009
LAS VEGAS, Nevada – The spiritual adviser and one of the best friends of fallen Cebuano boxer Z Gorres bursts into tears immediately when he learned that the world number two bantamweight contender had been rushed to the UMC Hospital here when he collapsed after winning a 10-round non-title scrapped against Luis Melendez at the House of Blues in the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino Friday the 13th.
Jack Hall, 92, immediately summoned his wife, Jenny, and began praying for Gorres’ survival.
“Lord, don’t let him die in the name of Jesus,” Hall sobbed. He sent email to friends appealing for their prayers.
“Brothers in Christ,” Hall volunteered, “the last round of the very good performance against a 90 percent KO artist, he (Gorres) was hit with a hard punch and was not ready for the last minute of the 10th round.”
Hall said, Gorres was declared the winner “on wobbly legs” and found it hard to get out of the ring. When he collapsed, Gorres was taken out of the stretcher to the UMC Hospital.
Gorres, 27, went to a surgery for brain damage and doctors opened his skull to to drain the fluid in his brain to relieve pressure. He suffered a subdural hematoma and may not wake up for several days, doctors said.
Gorres (30-2-2, 15 Kos) outpunched his Columbian foe Melendez (26-4-1, 21 KOs) but he absorbed more punishment mostly on the head.
The stragedy struck a night before the "Firepower" duel for the WBO welterweight title between champion Miguel Angel Cotto of Puerto Rico and challenger Manny Pacquiao.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Alex P. Vidal.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Pedro Taduran Defends IBF 105 Belt Against Christian Balunan Sunday
By Dong Secuya, Sat, 25 Oct 2025DAVID ALCAIDE CROWNED INAUGURAL PHILIPPINES OPEN CHAMPION
Sat, 25 Oct 2025Bryce Mills vs. James Bernadin Venue Changed: Randolph House Hotel & Convention Center Will Host Pro/Am Card in Liverpool, New York
Sat, 25 Oct 2025Parker vs. Wardley: Who Will Keep Winning Streak Alive?
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 25 Oct 2025Dante “The Inferno” Kirkman Stays Undefeated with Second-Round TKO in Southern California Debut
Sat, 25 Oct 2025Elmo Traya, Reymond Yanong, Ivan Ognayon in Action in Brico Santig's Show Today in Thailand, LIVE on TrillerTV
By Carlos Costa, Sat, 25 Oct 2025Alessio Bisutti Fights for WBF Heavyweight World Title in Highland Show October 25 in Thailand
By Carlos Costa, Sat, 25 Oct 2025WEIGHTS FROM NIGHT OF KNOCKOUTS XXXVI AT MOTORCITY CASINO HOTEL TONIGHT IN DOWNTOWN DETROIT
Sat, 25 Oct 202530 people arrested in NBA gambling operation
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sat, 25 Oct 2025GM Joey beats CM Marc in Italy World Senior Standard chess tourney to climb at 2nd place
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 25 Oct 2025RomyMac’s Ali memories
By Joaquin Henson, Fri, 24 Oct 2025NBA Daily: Warriors Survive Gordon’s 50 to Beat Nuggets in Overtime 137-131
By Reylan Loberternos, Fri, 24 Oct 2025Grandmaster Rogelio "Joey" Antonio Jr. wins world seniors blitz title in Italy
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 24 Oct 2025Russian athlete, first winner of 8 medals in a single Olympic Games, dies
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Fri, 24 Oct 2025DAY FOUR: SHAW DELIVERS GREATNESS TO JOIN ALCAIDE, CAPITO AND SEVASTYANOV IN STELLAR SEMI-FINAL LINEUP
Fri, 24 Oct 2025