GORRES CHALLENGES MONTIEL FOR WBO CROWN TODAY
By Salven L. Lagumbay
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 24 Feb 2007
CEBU, PHILIPPINES--Filipino Z 'The Dream' Gorres will try to fulfill a childhood dream of becoming a world champion when he challenges Mexican World Boxing Organization (WBO) superfly king Fernando Montiel tonight as the main event of the huge 'Moment of Truth' card at the 20,000 capacity Cebu City Sports Complex.
The co-feature will showcase Boholano boxing sensation Rey 'Boom Boom' Bautista going up against another Mexican, Marino Montiel Gonzalez, in a 12-round dukeout for the vacant WBO Intercontinental and WBO Youth titles.
Dubbed as the biggest boxing event in Cebu's history, tonight's card is organized by the SGG Sports Promotions, Golden Boy Promotions, ALA Boxing Gym and television giant ABS-CBN.
OFFICIAL WEIGHTS
Both the reigning world champion Montiel and challenger Gorres made weight at yesterday's official weigh-in held at the Rajah Park Hotel here, supervised by WBO's Leon Panoncillo and grace by no less than WBO president Paco Valcarcel, who flew from Puerto Rico just to be at ringside for the fight.
Montiel, who earlier made at least five tries on the scales in a frantic effort to make weight, came in at 115 lbs for the official weigh-in, and had to step on the scales naked while Gorres easily made weight also at 115 lbs in just his first try.
Young phenom Rey 'Boom Boom' Bautista came in at an exact 122 lbs, while Mexican Marino Gonzalez checked in at 121.5 for their WBO Youth and Inter-continental superbantam showdown tonight.
Also, both Jimrex "The Executioner" Jaca and defending champion Simson "Terminator" Butar-Butar came in at 130 lbs for their WBO Asia Pacific super-featherweight showdown.
The Indonesian Butar-Butar will defend his WBO Asia-Pacific super-featherweight crown for the first time against Jaca, who put up a gallant effort against world champion Juan Manuel Marquez last November in Hidalgo, Texas.
OFFICIALS
The third man on the ring for the Montiel-Gorres showdown is New York's Samuel Viruet, while the all-American judges are veterans Chuck Giampa, Denny Nelson and Raul Caiz Jr.
Bruce McTavish will referee the Bautista-Gonzalez tiff, while the judges are Chuck Giampa of Las Vegas, Raul Caiz Jr, and Salven Lagumbay.
For the Jaca-Butar Butar showdown, third man on the ring will be Teddy Alivio, while tasked to pen the bout are Denny Nelson, Jonathan Davis and Sev Necesario.
PACMAN AND 3,000 VIP's EXPECTED TODAY
As a testament to its being the biggest boxing event in the history of Cebu boxing, more than 3,000 VIP's (local, national and international) have confirmed their attendance for tonight's mammoth 'Moment of Truth' card.
Superstar Manny Pacquiao is on the list of VIP's, along with a very popular city mayor from a big city in Mindanao.
As such, Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmena has already instructed its Citom (traffic management group) to start at 1PM tomorrow allowing the free use of major thoroughfare Osmena Boulevard for both sides' parking.
Citom's executive officer Arnel Tancinco also informed that fans can also park starting at the old SSS building, even up to Fuente Osmena. Parking will also be allowed at R. Landon Street and in front of Sto. Rosario church, except Pelaez extension and P. Del Rosario St.
More than 2,000 vehicles can be accomodated in the Osmena Boulevard route alone.
WBO PREXY HIGHEST BOXING OFFICIAL TO VISIT CEBU
WBO President Paco Valcarcel landed here Thursday night as a special guest of sportsman Antonio L. Aldeguer and boxing superstar Oscar De la Hoya, who heads the Golden Boy Promotions.
Valcarcel, accompanied by Ratings Chairman Luis Perez, Grievance Committee Chairman John Duggan, Esq. and WBO-INT and NABO Chairman Richard De Cuir and other associates, touched down at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport at around 8:30 PM, and was immediately whisked away by a staff of promoter Sammy Gello-ani.
COMPLETE CARD
The first bout is set to start at 6PM, featuring the undercard bouts, while the Jaca-Butar Butar fight kicks off at 8:30PM to be followed by the world championship between Montiel and Gorres at 9:30 PM. Bautista versus Gonzalez will be the last fight.
ABS-CBN will air the bouts starting at 9:30PM, while its global arm The Filipino Channel airs it live in Europe and the Middle East and some parts of the US, and on a delayed basis in other North American states, Asia Pacific, and Australia.
Aside from the three title bouts, also to be featured is ALA Boy Alex John 'Bazooka' Banal, an undefeated prospect who will go up against Thailand's Komrit Evereadygym in an 8-rounder.
World-ranked Bert Batawang will take on Indonesia's Sofyan Efendi in another 8-rounder, while ALA Boy Milan Milendo goes up against Arex Aroy in six.
Joseph Omanz will take on Markyll Taroja, while the grandson of Flash Elorde, Juan Martin 'Bai' Elorde, will make his debut against Joseph Mateo, who is also making his pro debut.
Weng Haya versus Romnick Rapista will open the night's hostilities.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Salven L. Lagumbay.
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