MORE than three months after incurring a life-threatening head injury in Las Vegas, Cebuano boxer Z Gorres will finally be home.
Gorres, who fights by the moniker “The Dream,” will have his homecoming today and will finally get to see his four children—Dheybert, Shayla Dhey, Zhey and Khodhey.
They will meet him at the airport at 10:30 a.m.
Gorres, his wife Datches and Dr. Benito Calderon flew in from Las Vegas last Sunday and are scheduled to arrive in Manila at 5:30 a.m. today. Awaiting them at the airport will be ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer and vice president Dennis Ca?ete.
Gorres will then leave for Cebu at 9:30 a.m.
Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes and Ibabao-Estancia Barangay Captain Carmelino Del Mar Jr., will welcome Gorres at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport.
From the airport, a convoy of 20 motorcycles and 15 cars will bring Gorres to Ala Gym in Barangay Nasipit, Talamban, Cebu then to his home in Sitio Bayabas, Barangay Ibabao-Estancia, Mandaue City.
Gorres’ father-in law Danilo Mecabane said a brief conference will be held in Talamban.
Mecabane said it will be a light schedule for Gorres as “he is still weak and in a wheelchair.” He said Gorres will continue his therapy in Cebu with his family.
The Mandaue City Government has extended P100,000 financial assistance to Gorres.
Michael Aldeguer also told Sun.Star Cebu that Gorres will be welcomed by his four children, ALA founder Antonio L. Aldeguer, neighbors, friends and fellow boxers.
Gorres will also have a press luncheon at Patio Isabel at 11:30 a.m.
His arrival marks the end of a tumultuous journey that began after he was announced winner by unanimous decision against Luis Melendez of Colombia on the eve of the Manny Pacquiao vs. Cotto fight.
Gorres, known for his slick boxing style, collapsed on his way out of the ring.
That collapse was triggered by Melendez’s wicked shot that caught the Cebuano with only 15 seconds left in the fight.
He was immediately rushed to the University Medical Center hospital and underwent an emergency brain surgery.
After getting bedridden for almost two months, Gorres got out of the hospital last month and has been undergoing therapy under Benito Calderon.
His two-month hospital stay racked up a bill of almost $600,000 with only $50,000 covered by insurance.
Since he can no longer continue as a boxer, well-meaning groups have set up fund-raisers for Gorres, while a website www.zgorres.info was also put up to help raise funds for the boxer.
He could have gone home much earlier but Aldeguer said Gorres wanted to get a bit better before flying home, for his children’s sake.
Gorres also watched his fellow Pinoys in the Pinoy Power 3, a card he was suppose to be on.
Manny Pacquiao was also present in the card and promised to help Gorres financially. Pacquiao also egged on the Pinoy fans in the audience to chip in for Gorres.
“Sa lahat nga mga Filipino na tumotulong sa akin, maraming salamat talaga,” Gorres said in an ABS-CBN report.
Aldeguer said Gorres is expected to continue his rehabilitation at the Perpetual Succour Hospital.
Gorres, a native of Mandaue City, had 35 fights and was 31-2-1.
He faced some of the best fighters in his weight division including current world titleholders Fernando Montiel and Vic Darchinyan. (EKA/OCP)
