Z, the inspiration, to be feted by Cebu sports writers

Z “The Dream” Gorres, whose touching tale of miraculous survival from a critical brain injury that

almost cost him his dear life and who created a global impact in boxing, is among the top honorees during the 28th Sportswriters Association of Cebu-San Miguel Corporation (SAC-SMC) All-Cebu Sports Awards this Thursday evening at Casino Español de Cebu.

The 27-year-old pride of ALA Boxing Gym will receive the “Presidential Award” for touching other people’s lives and becoming an inspiration to others for the great recuperative powers he had shown during the tough ordeal that shortlived his colorful career.

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“Z is a survivor. Despite the traumatic incident, he’s shown us his will to win and to endure. Z is also a humble person. Few top-ranked athletes are as courteous and respectful. These are lessons we can all learn from our Presidential Awardee,” said SAC president John Pages.

After being declared the winner by unanimous decision over Luis Melendez of Colombia on November 13 last year at the Mandalay House of Blues in Las Vegas, Gorres collapsed and went into medically-induced coma.

He then underwent a life-threatening surgery at the University Medical Center to remove a blood clot on the left side of his brain.

A few days after the operation, Gorres rapidly manifested positive signs of recovery, to the amazement of his doctors led by Dr. Ben Calderon who later nicknamed him the “Miracle Kid.”

Since then, Gorres became an iconic figure of true courage, immeasurable fighting spirit and strong faith in God.

During his arrival last month, the wheelchair-bound Gorres received a rousing welcome that even Filipino ring icon Manny Pacquiao did not enjoy in his numerous visits here in the Queen City of the South.

Z’s travail spotlighted the trademark “Bayani-han” spirit of the Filipinos in the world stage, with several Filipino communities in the United States spearheading a fund-
raiser to help defray the medical bills of Gorres that  topped  US$562,000 or roughly P27 million. Some Fil-Am doctors at the UMC even volunteered their services to ease Z’s financial burden. At home, both public and private entities joined hands in pouring monetary assistance for his rehabilitation.

More importantly, Gorres has left a shining legacy to the boxing constellation, parti-culary to his fellow fighters, because his inspiring story encouraged Frank Slaughter, a boxing coach at the University of Nevada in Las Vegas and a group of law students in UNLV to push for a state bill that would protect all fighters.

To be known as the “Z Gorres bill”, it will give additional protection for underinsured fighters in case of injury.

”For me, Gorres is more than a world champion for touching other people’s lives. That is more meaningful to me,” earlier said Antonio “Bidoy” L. Aldeguer, Cebu’s well-loved boxing patron who nurtured the career of Gorres since the boxer was nine years old.

Interestingly, Aldeguer will be the inspirational speaker of the annual awards, which will fete the outstanding Cebuano sports personalities during the past year. (Pooled Report)