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LAHUG,
Cebu—One-time world title challenger Z “The Dream”
Gorres is back on his winning ways after he scored a
significant 10-round shutout over tough Nick Otieno of
Kenya Saturday night at the Waterfront Hotel.
Gorres,
25, dominated the fight, although Otieno had his few
moments during the early part of the nontitle bout by
connecting some hard blows to the Filipino’s face.
“He’s
really tough and in good shape. I needed this win so I
just did what I had to do to secure the victory,” said
Gorres.
Otieno,
holder of the fringe Universal Boxing Organization
bantamweight crown, which was not at stake, hit Gorres
with clean uppercuts in the first and second rounds. But
the Filipino countered those blows with precision
left-right combos.
Although
Otieno was consistent with his aggressive style and
seemingly strong counter-punches, the Kenyan’s brave
stance went to waste as Gorres used his astute defensive
skills in avoiding the visitor’s attacks.
By the
second half of the fight, Gorres demonstrated his body
assault that slowed down Otieno. A left straight by
Gorres staggered Otieno for the first time in the bout,
then followed it up with body shots to end another
convincing round.
It was
the same story the rest of the way, with Gorres
finishing the fight by staggering Otieno once more, this
time with a clean right uppercut that forced the Kenyan
to clinch.
All
three judges gave the fight to Gorres with a clear-cut
120-110 on each of the scorecards.
“It was
a good workout for me. I may have hurt him a few times
but it was risky to go for the kill because his
counterpunches looked strong,” said Gorres.
Gorres
raised his record to 28-2-2, with15 knockouts, while
Otieno dropped to 15-2 (five knockouts).
Gorres,
who failed to win the World Boxing Organization (WBO)
super-flyweight crown by losing a controversial 12-round
split decision to defending champion Fernando Montiel
last year, wants to face the winner of the International
Boxing Federation (IBF) title fight between defending
champion Dimitri Kirilov of Russia and challenger Vic
Darchinyan of Australia.
Gorres
and Darchinyan battled to a 12-round draw in February in
an IBF title eliminator also at the Waterfront Hotel.
Meanwhile, in the supporting main event, comebacking
former world flyweight champion Malcolm Tunacao won a
first-round TKO against Rasheed Ali of Tanzania.
Tunacao
forced Ali to surrender with a right straight to the
body. The Tanzanian turned his back and claimed an
injury to his right shoulder, forcing the referee to
stop the contest.
Tunacao’s last fight was in February 2007, where he lost
his Oriental bantamweight crown to compatriot and
Japan-based Rolly “Matsushita” Lunas via decision.
In the
other bouts promoted by the ALA Boxing Group,
bantamweight Juan Miguel Elorde, grandson of the
greatest Filipino champion Flash Elorde, won a striking
four-round decision in a pro debut fight against Racem
Laud of Bacolod City.
Youthful
Jason Pagara of Cagayan de Oro captured the vacant WBO
youth lightweight crown after Indon challenger Heri
Andriyanto decided not to answer the bell for round
three. In the previous round, Pagara hurt Andriyato with
a strong right straight.
Jun
Intor and Ali Belonguel battled to a six-round draw
while Romeo Jakosalem knocked out Elmer Colve. |
