Thursday, November 22, 2007 IBF cans Gorres’ exhibition fight
Z “The Dream” Gorres’ scheduled eight-round exhibition against Jemmy Gobel won’t push through next month.
This after the International Boxing Federation (IBF) barred Gorres from fighting in the Dec. 8 fight slated at the Mandaue City Sports and Cultural Center.
IBF Championship Committee head Lindsey Tucker Jr. said in a report at Philboxing.com that a fighter scheduled to fight in an IBF title fight is barred from playing in any exhibition bout prior to the title clash.
“IBF doesn’t want any boxer scheduled in an IBF fight to fight an exhibition. We are concerned that someone may get injured,” Tucker said.
“Once we approve a fight, we don’t want either fighter taking another fight.”
Gorres (27-2-1, 15 KOs) is scheduled to face Australian Vic Darchinyan (29-1, 23 KOs) this Feb. 2 in Cebu in an eliminator bout for the IBF super flyweight.
The winner of the fight will become the mandatory challenger of IBF super flyweight champion Dimitri Kirilov, who is being trained by Freddie Roach.
Gorres’ handler, Michael Aldeguer said they came up with the exhibition bout for Gorres and thought it was allowed. Also, it was international matchmaker Samspon Lewkowicz who gave them the idea. The bout would have served as part of his preparation for his tough fight against Darchinyan, who lost his titles to Nonito Donaire Jr.
Statement
“Sampson told me that it can be done. But with the statement coming from IBF, we decided that we have to cancel the fight,” said Aldeguer.
However, he said they will try to appeal the decision.
“As of now, it’s cancelled but we’re trying to appeal. I don’t know if it will be approved,” he said.
If IBF will push through with its decision, Aldeguer said they will have to improve the quality of the sparring sessions of Gorres to help him prepare for the fight. (ESL)
