Sunday, January 13, 2008 IBF names new ref in Gorres fight
Z “The Dream” Gorres got a break of sort after the International Boxing Federation replaced the referee in his International Boxing Federation eliminator bout coming fight against Vic Darchinyan on Feb. 2 at the Waterfront Hotel.
Boxingscene.com reported that Lance Revill of New Zealand will now be the third man on the ring after IBF president Marian Muhammad replaced Australian John Wright per request from the ALA Gym.
“It is unfair for our part because a supervisor and a judge are both Australians then they will be assigning an Australian referee to officiate the fight,” said Michael Aldeguer of ALA Gym in an interview by Sun.Star.
The supervisor of the fight is Australian Ray Wheatley, while another Australian Cec Perkins is one of the judges..
The he was born in Armenia, Darchinyan (29-1, 23 KOs) has made Australia his base.
According to the boxingscene.com report, Sampson Lewkowicz talked to the IBF president about their request to change the referee.
“I did that. I changed the referee. I am not doing it anymore. They can fight or not fight. It is up to them. This is all about getting in the ring and winning a fight. It’s not about geography or where a judge or referee comes from,” Muhammad said.
Just last year, Gorres got a taste of controversy after he lost his WBO title bout against Fernando Montiel.
Meanwhile, Gorres sparred for eight rounds yesterday as he nears his target of 100 rounds of sparring for the Feb. 2 bout.
Gorres, who last fought during the World Cup of boxing and winning an eighth round TKO, will take a brief break in training as he flies to Manila on Jan. 15 to attend the Philippine Sportswriters Association forum. (EKA)
