CHICAGO – He looks like a Gap model. Handsome and charming, with a full head of ink-black hair that is soft as a rabbit’s fur. And he is so choirboy-polite, the kind you’d want your daughter to meet.
But once he laces on a pair of leather Everlast gloves, he becomes more dangerous than a duffel bag of snakes.
Such are the two colorful sides in the character of ALA boxer Z Gorres. And today at the Orleans Casino in Las Vegas, Z’s darker side takes center stage as the 116-pounder carries on with his dream of a world title.
This world championship ambition tour all began some 15 years ago when Z was exposed to boxing through his brother, the late Jun Gorres, a talented lightweight with quick feet and fast hands.
“He was my inspiration, the reason why I’ve taken up the sport myself,” Z told Sun.Star Cebu last night from his Orleans Casino hotel room in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Well, Z didn’t really just adopt the sport. He conquered it.
As a high school student at the University of the Visayas (UV) in Mandaue, Z boxed his way to three national amateur championships beginning in 1999. He would continue to carry the standard of excellence as a UV college student.
And finally on March 31, 2001, Z turned professional, lured by the notion of big bucks, untold fame, and an invaluable place in boxing history.
Unlucky 13th
He started his career at the flyweight division, where it was all too easy for the Mandauehanon from Nasipit, Butuan. Using his superior technical skills, Z quickly racked up 12 consecutive wins, including a sensational second round TKO of Junric Velona last Jan. 20, 2002.
Then his 13th pro fight came along. It was a nasty bend in the road, a real unlucky 13. That’s when sweet science turned into bitter cold reality.
Fighting for the Philippine flyweight title at the Makati Coliseum on June 1, 2003, Z lost via 9th round TKO at the hands of Edgar Rodrigo. It was a rough outing, one that saw Z hit the deck three times.
“He couldn’t get any traction that night. He was slow and weak. And we later found out that he was quietly nursing a severe abscess in his tooth,” recalls Z’s trainer Edito “Ala” Villamor.
The loss stalled Z’s career, but it neither broke his heart nor dent his will. To Z, the defeat was an important journey to self discovery.
“I now know that it was a blessing in disguise. It made me humble, made me realize that I still had a lot of things to learn if I want to be a world-class fighter. The loss also opened my eyes to the fact that I’m better off going up in weight.”
Sure indeed, the 5-foot- 4 1/2 Gorres now campaigns as a super flyweight and he has stringed together nine wins since shifting weight.
Critics
Despite his transformation into a solid super flyweight, the critics couldn’t be silenced. But Z doesn’t bother himself too much with the bad press. “I don’t fight to please anyone. I fight for myself, for the people I love, and I fight for the honor of our country,” he said.
When Z first tasted defeat, he was a little young and unsure of himself. But the 23-year-old is in a much better place now. He is married with two kids, and his wife Datches is expecting a third child this April.
Right now, though, a roadblock stands in the way to Z’s pursuit for more happiness. Mexican Joe Alfredo Tirado represents that roadblock.
“I’m ready,” insists Z. “Yes, he is,” chorused his trainer, Edito Villamor, who added that “Z is really talented and once he gets more experience and gets mentally tougher, the sky is the limit.”
Z was actually born Zc, in honor of his father Zito and mother Celestina. After turning pro, he just shortened his name into a plain Z. That’s Z, as in quick as a zebra, more powerful than Zeus.
