Z “The Dream” Gorres will be in Top Rank’s blockbuster “Pinoy Power 3” boxing event on Feb. 13 at the Las Vegas Hilton.
However, he won’t be on the ring but will be at the sidelines to cheer on his fellow Filipino warriors.
Although Gorres’ boxing career is all but over after he suffered a life-threatening head injury, he will still be doing his part by supporting his fellow fighters with his presence.
“He requested to watch ‘Pinoy Power’. He is very excited to watch the (Cis) Morales vs. (Fernando) Montiel fight,” ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer told Sun.Star Cebu in an interview yesterday.
The 27-year-Gorres, who will be joined by his wife Datches, was supposed to fight Montiel for the World Boxing Organization bantamweight title in a rematch, but after suffering a subdural hematoma following his unanimous decision win over Colombian banger Luis Melendez last Nov. 13, he was forced to retire, paving the way for Morales.
“He wants to cheer on Morales and the other Filipinos,” he added.
Nonito Donaire Jr. will headline the fight card and will defend his interim World Boxing Association super flyweight crown against rugged Mexican Gerson Guerrero, while Filipino veteran Gerry Peñalosa will take on Eric Morel for the interim WBO bantamweight strap.
Bernabe Concepcion will also face Mario Santiago, while ALA boy Mark Jason Melligen will take on Raymond Gatica.
Aldeguer said that Gorres will return to the Philippines earlier than expected because of his remarkable response to his comprehensive rehabilitation under Dr. Benito Calderon and his four physical therapists.
“We were targeting late March but because he is doing well in therapy, we have a tentative date of March 2,” said Aldeguer.
Gorres can now eat with both of his hands and his affected left leg can move slightly.
According to ABS-CBN, Filipino-Americans put up more than $8,000 for Gorres in a fundraiser in Las Vegas.
The website www.zgorres.info has also been set up to help raise funds for the boxer.