MANILA, Philippines — Filipino ring star Manny Pacquiao has asked his compatriots to support Z ?The Dream? Gorres when the latter collides with Australia?s Vic Darchinyan in a 12-round International Boxing Federation super flyweight eliminator on Saturday at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel.
Pacquiao, who is himself in the thick of training for his March 15 title bout with World Boxing Council super featherweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez, remembers Gorres fondly as they used to train together at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles in 2004.
?Naaalala ko nga noong 2004, nang ako ay naghahanda pa para sa laban namin ni Marquez, isa sa mga boksingerong kasama namin ay si Z Gorres ng Cebu. Sama-sama kami sa hirap at ginhawa, sa loob ng isang maliit na motel sa tabi ng Wild Card gym (When I was preparing for Marquez in 2004, Gorres was among the fighters who trained with me. We lived in a small motel beside the Wild Card gym),? Pacquiao wrote in his column at the website www.philboxing.com.
Although Pacquiao noted the power that Darchinyan possesses in his fists, Pacquiao believes that Gorres has what it takes to win owing to the Filipino?s heart and talent. Darchinyan has promised to knock out Gorres.
Darchinyan was dethroned as IBF champion by Nonito Donaire Jr. last year.
Meanwhile, the official weigh-in for Gorres and Darchinyan takes place at 7 p.m. Friday inside the Coral Ballroom of the posh Waterfront Cebu City Hotel.
