From Vegas to Mandaue, Z and Czar ready for war
By Salven L. Lagumbay
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 25 Feb 2006
A homecoming appearance from their much-publicized Las Vegas stints last February 3 awaits the Cebuano boxing fans when two of the country’s young world-title hopefuls, Z Gorres and Czar Amonsot, get to display their wares anew at the Mandaue City Sports Complex on March 18, 2006.
The flashy southpaw, Z ‘The Dream’ Gorres, who is one of Mandaue’s fearsome foursome, finally gets his career-dream to fight for an international diadem when he vies for the prestigious vacant OPBF (Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation) championship against former champion, Waengpetch Chuwatana of Thailand.
It is not going to be an easy foray for the sweet-punching Gorres when he meets the battle-tested Chuwatana who is a veteran of 32 fights winning 23 and losing only 7 with 2 draws and counts 14 knockouts.
A 32-year-old grizzled prizefighter, Chuwatana won the OPBF Super Flyweight crown in February 29, 2004 with a split-decision verdict over Japanese Shin Ogata in Nagoya, Japan and successfully defended the title twice before losing a close and disputed decision to another Japanese Masayuki Arinaga last March 26, 2005.
Rather than risk his lofty WBC world rating, the current OPBF champion Arinaga decided to vacate the crown and paved the way for the two top contenders, Gorres and Chuwatana to challenge for the highly esteemed OPBF championship belt.
Meanwhile, another Thai warrior, Decho Bankluaygym gets to test the mettle of golden-haired Czar Amonsot of Tagbilaran City who is inching his way to becoming another pride of Bohol in the mold of his provincemate, Rey ‘Boom-Boom’ Bautista.
After his impressive exploits in Las Vegas early this month, Amonsot should not take Bankluaygym lightly as the Thai slugger parades a dangerous 22-4-1 win-loss-draw fight record with 14 stoppages.
Decko is just as old as Amonsot at 20 and definitely is just as hungry for recognition and fame as the lefty Boholano.
"It is going to be an exciting and bloody war when Gorres and Amonsot do battle with these Thai fighters. Gorres will try to win the OPBF title at all cost while Amonsot cannot risk a loss since he has a ringdate in Las Vegas on May 12," said international promoter Sammy ‘Don King’ Gello-ani in assuring the public of a pure, unadulterated entertainment come fight night.
A star-studded supporting cast will precede the main title tiff which will see the debut of three former amateur boxing standouts and a special attraction featuring two foreign fighters against their Filipino counterparts.
In a pair of six-round tussles, undefeated prospect A.J. Banal will get his first foreign opponent when he will be tested by Dechapol Bankluaygym while Japanese welterweight Nori Iwatani goes up the ring against Aeta-native John Carlos.
A local championship for the Philippine Flyweight title will pit two top contenders Rocky Fuentes of ALA gym versus Jojo Bardon of Wakee Salud stable in a 12-round contest.
To complete the card, two ALA boys Robert Allanic and Rey Caitom will tangle with Robert Rubillar of Elorde Stable, Manila and Rodel Tejares of Cagayan de Oro City respectively.
VIP tickets are now available and can be purchased at the USA Sports outlets in SM and Ayala and Fight Club at the Banilad Town Center.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Salven L. Lagumbay.
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