NESTLED somewhere in the bustling environs of Talamban, at the far end of the expansive Aldeguer compound, the acclaimed ALA Gym sits. To some, it?s not just a gym. It?s a chapel where many come to worship, but only few are chosen for glory.
As I enter it, I hear the sound of mitts being pounded, bags being battered, and the grunts and groans of the warriors in heavy training.
I stop for a moment to admire AJ ?Bazooka? Banal unload a three-punch combination on his sparring mate when WBO miminumweight champ Donnie Nietes espies me and comes over to say hello. With mouthpiece in place, Donnie informs me he is already deep in training for his next defense scheduled to take place in Dubai a few months from now.
The always-dapper Michael Aldeguer notices me and welcomes me to the gym telling me that Z Gorres will be joining me shortly for our interview. (Check out my one-on-one with the Z man on Tuesday)
He motions me over to some chairs where I get to watch Rey ?Boom Boom? Bautista in some heavy sparring.
THE BEST. The gym is teeming with activity but the testosterone-laden air is buzzing with a keen sense of anticipation. It seems everybody is pumped up for ?Now or Never?.
And for good reason.
You often read a lot about youngsters ?Boom Boom? and AJ Banal nowadays, but make no mistake about it, ALA gym is still Z?s house. A fluid boxer and an accomplished ring general, Z Gorres is hands down, the best fighter in ALA Gym today.
His failed bid to wrest Fernando Montiel?s crown notwithstanding, trainer Edito Villamor is profuse in his praise for Z?s aptitude during training camp and is quite confident about his fighter?s chances.
Michael Aldeguer shares the enthusiasm and confides that Z is in high spirits these days?a sure sign of a confident, relaxed fighter.
It?s not a championship fight, but to Z?s stable-mates it might as well be. Gym pride is at stake and to them, there?s no better man at the helm than Z ?The Dream? Gorres.
The Heat?s on Vic. As I write this piece, I am informed that Vic Darchinyan will only be arriving later (10 p.m. Saturday night) and I am aghast at this piece of information.
Why?
With only a week to get accustomed to the sweltering heat, it seems like the Raging Bull is in for a steaming surprise. You see, back when Nonito Donaire Jr. initially started training in ALA gym for the Maldonado fight, he was practically unable to train effectively.
Having arrived from the USA, Nonito confided to me that he couldn?t stand the stifling heat that seemed to accompany the very air that he breathed. A few laps on the track were all he could muster before becoming completely drained.
It remains to be seen whether or not Darchinyan can adjust to the weather faster than the ?Filipino Flash?.
A Different Dream. On the undercard of ?Now or Never?, a different kind of dream is taking shape.
JV Tuason, a 28-year-old doctor who finished his degree in the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey faces Rey Villar of North Cotabato.
A three-time New Jersey Golden Gloves Boxing champion, Tuazon is a full-bloodied Filipino now residing in New Jersey, USA. He debuted as a pro on Aug. 4, 2006 in an encounter with a fellow newcomer Omar Carrol, which brought a draw in the fourth round. Tuason also relies on a Mixed Martial Arts, Kali, and Muay Thai background.
I also chanced upon JV on my visit to ALA Gym. He sparred some rounds, and I was fortunate enough to exchange notes with him. It?s not everyday that you get to meet a doctor who also beats up people in the ring?on the side.
But according to JV, boxing is a way to understand his patients more and treat them much better. JV told me that if he were able to continue his career and box full time he would be living a dream.
Don?t look now, JV, but to some of us armchair analysts, you already are.
Keep ?em up, doc.
THE LAST ROUND. It?s on the hardworking staff of MTCC Branch 2, Surigao City. Cheers!
