Saturday, February 24, 2007
Moment of truth
By Rommel C. Manlosa
Sun.Star Staff Reporter
WILL Z “The Dream” Gorres fulfill his destiny? Or will Fernando “Ko-chulito” Montiel will be successful in keeping his World Boxing Organization (WBO) super-flyweight belt?
Gorres will challenge Montiel of Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico for the WBO 115lb belt in the main feature of the SGG Sports Promotions, Golden Boy Promotions and ALA Boxing Gym boxing event dubbed “Moment of Truth” at the Cebu City Sports Center tonight.
The title has been with the Mexican champion since June 2002.
Both Gorres and Montiel successfully passed the scales during the official weigh-in yesterday at the Park View Hall of Rajah Park Hotel yesterday.
Montiel and Gorres, who had promised to give Antonio Lopez Aldeguer the first world title after 20 years of painstaking support to his boxers, tipped the scales at exactly 115 pounds.
The official weigh in sessions were supervised by WBO vice president and NABO chairman Richard De Cuir and Leon Panoncillo Jr. in behalf of WBO president Francisco Valcarcel, who arrived late.
Also present were ratings and championship committee chairman Luis Perez and grievance committee chairman John Duggan. They were joined by officials of the world championship fight – referee Sam Viruet of New York, and judges Raul Caiz and Chuck Giampa of Las Vegas, and Denny Nelson of Minnesota, the United States.
While Gorres easily made his weight, Montiel tried the scales five times before the official weigh-in started at 1:30 yesterday. The Mexican champ was still perspiring heavily when he climbed the scales.
Common sight
“For boxers, it’s common (to make a lot of trials before making the weight). The real question here is the preparations. And I believe Montiel is very prepared,” said Aldeguer.
Gorres was confident and high-spirited, while Montiel looked tired before heaving a huge sigh of relief after making weight.
And for the first time, Boholano sensation Rey “Boom-Boom” Bautista met his opponent Mexican Marino Gonzales, who seemed to be doing well despite a long trip from Mexico City.
Gonzales who tried the scales first weighed at 121˝ lbs while Bautista tipped at exactly 122lbs.
Bautista and Gonzales will vie for the vacant WBO inter-continental and WBO youth super-bantamweight titles for 12 rounds.
Cebu City Councilor Sylvan “Jack” Jakosalem, the chairman of the committee on amusement, games and professional sports at the City Council, told Sun.Star Cebu that the city is fielding 100 policemen and Citom personnel for peace and order.
“I want to assure (the public) that we are fielding around 100 policemen and Citom personnel to make sure parking will be safe and to maintain peace and order outside and inside the venue in tomorrow’s boxing event,” Jakosalem said.
Jakosalem siad that tonight’s “Moment of Truth” is a test to see if Cebu City is ready to host the Boxing World Cup.
“And if there will be lapses tomorrow, at least we will know how to fix them and improve the preparations for the Boxing
World Cup,” he added.
Tax exemption
Through Jakosalem’s resolution, the promoters were able to get full amusement tax exemption.
“(The) city could have earned millions of taxes from this promotion but we have to give way for that to show our appreciation and thanks to the promoters for holding the event here in Cebu (city),” Jakosalem said.
Filipino rising star Jimrex Jaca who is challenging Simson Butar Butar of Indonesia for the WBO Asia Pacific super-featherweight title also passed the scales. Jaca and Butar-Butar scaled at exactly 130 pounds.
The fight will officially start at 6 p.m. tonight with the undercards. Five fights are scheduled in the undercard led by the AJ Banal-Komrit EvereadyGym eight rounder.
The Butar Butar-Jaca match will officially start at 8:30 p.m. to be followed by the Montiel-Gorres showdown and the Bautista-Gonzales fight to cap the ABS-CBN pay-per-view coverage, which will be aired only outside the country.
Delayed telecast over free TV will start at 9:30 tonight.
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (February 24, 2007 issue)
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