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Friday, August 12, 2005
Sayson: Dreaming on: Go easy on Kid Zorro
By Homer Sayson
Second Overtime
CHICAGO – If Z Gorres were a piece of cloth ing, he’d be the cleanest fabric in Asia right now. Thanks a lot to Philippine Daily Inquirer columnist Recah Trinidad, who did an awesome laundry job on the Antonio L. Aldegeur protege, rinsing the pug hard with soaps of criticism after a terribly underwhelming performance last July 31 in Manila.
In his Bare Eye column last Aug. 1 (“Dream turns into baby nightmare”), Recah suggested that while Z had the looks of a fierce fighter, he was disappointingly short with the goods, which led to “an inexplicable display of the dullest boxing by someone trumpeted as the next big star.”
Recah’s piece could be easily construed as harsh, but it’s not. In fact, the column was refreshingly constructive, citing dents in Gorres’ armor, revealing the technical flaws that need to be addressed if Z were to rule the Orient and beyond.
Recah explained that because Z was spreading his legs “too wide apart,” the sting of his punches were blunted, turning his weapon into a “dull, uneven old hammer.” It was also pointed out that despite an “easy target, almost accommodating in his daring,” Z refused to “dig in and go for the kill.”
I’ve always admired Recah’s work through the years. I deem it as a privilege to know his friendship, and I found it a great honor to have sat a chair apart from him ringside during the Pacquiao-Morales fight last March. Clearly, Recah is the best Pinoy boxing writer there is, the Lord of the Ring.
Unlike Recah, however, I’m not ready to throw the towel on Z Gorres just yet. And here’s why.
Recah could be right that Z is “overrated.” Maybe the kid lacks the wattage to become RP’s next brightest star. But Z is only 23, and placed in the hands of knowledgeable trainers, there surely is a lot of room for improvement. Not all roses blossom in the spring, so here’s hoping that Z is a late-bloomer.
It was discouraging to read how Z had almost induced sleep apnea among the spectators at San Andres Sports and Civic Center, but the lackluster bout was not entirely his fault.
According to news accounts from Sun.Star Cebu and The Freeman reporters, Z’s foe, Deeden Kengkarum, fought only to survive, not to win. The Thai was a reluctant combatant who refused to engage, he didn’t mind being wounded, but he didn’t want to die, so to speak.
It takes two to tango in boxing, and so without a willing partner, Z looked terribly awkward.
Boxing’s unparalleled appeal emanates from the fierce exchange of blows between the protagonists. Z doesn’t shy from that violence, but when the Thai decided he wasn’t going to be kayoed, head-butting and wresting his way to survival, there was nothing else Z could do. Even the Phoenix Suns of the NBA couldn’t run their fastbreak when the other side plays slow ball.
Maybe Z is faint of heart, too tentative, too cautious, and ultimately, lacking in killer instinct. I hope not. I’d like to believe that Z was just too smart to not risk more than he should. Remember, Z sustained a cut that required seven stitches to close. That may have bothered him more than he’d like to admit.
The bottom line is, Z came to Malate, Manila with a mission to win. He got it. Sorry if the absence of a stoppage nearly bored some 3,000 people to death, but a win is a win.
A dunk is awe-inspiring to watch in basketball, but it scores only two points, just like a lay-up or a short jumper. A bloody knockout is desired in boxing, but it’s recorded only as one win, just like a unanimous decision. No matter how great a boxer is, he can’t possibly win all his fights in a manner both graceful and fierce.
So I keep the faith in Z Gorres. His record of 20-1 (11 KOs) may not be compelling, but he is ours, a provinciano with big city dreams.
Z fights under the umbrella of the revered Sammy G. Gello-ani. Z is managed by the highly-respected Antonio L. Aldeguer.
Pardon my blind loyalty if you may, but I’ve known Tony Aldeguer and Sammy G for eons now. They are the alchemists of boxing, turning their lead into the gold for their boxers. It’s hard not to root for these guys. They deserve a happy, good ending.
Is Z up to the challenge? Can he conquer the super-flyweight world?
I don’t know. But I also know that Z’s worth cannot be determined by that one night of mediocrity in Manila. Time flies, seasons change, people grow. And hardworking boxers like Z, they just get better.
(homsay@hotmail.com)
(August 12, 2005 issue)
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