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GORRES-DARCHINYAN: WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY

PhilBoxing.com




The heat is scorching as the raging battle between Filipino Z “The Dream” Gorres and Armenian Vic “The Raging Bull” Darchinyan for an IBF super flyweight eliminator nears. Boxing fans are split in anticipation on what prevails in the end -— brute force or technical finesse.

ALA Promotions Media Affairs sought the views of boxing experts, who have closely looked into the careers of these two world-class warriors and are familiar of their skills and vulnerabilities, to serve as the boxing community’s guide into the possibilities of this ring-war. Here’s what the experts say:

RECAH TRINIDAD, Sports Columnist, the man behind “Bare Eye” in the Philippine Daily Inquirer: “I expect class fireworks. Darchinyan vs. Gorres is a fight between two world-caliber warriors of contrasting styles. I can’t see how Darchinyan could outbox Gorres, who is superior technically. But Darchinyan is the sort who could steal the daylights with a single punch.”

SCOTT MALLON, Photojournalist based in Bangkok, Thailand and affiliated with TheSweetScience.com and Ring Magazine: “The fight is a classic boxer-puncher match-up. Gorres gave Fernando Montiel all he could handle but the question in this fight will be if he can remain focused against Darchinyan, and stay out of the way of his power punches. In other words, he can’t forget to duck. Darchinyan will be highly motivated and is a slight favorite. However, he’s fighting in hostile territory and is subject to his own emotional lapses. If Gorres can withstand the initial onslaught from Darchinyan, he has a good shot at winning the decision. I see the fight as a pick-‘em, but fighting at home, and after the experience with Montiel, I’ll give the edge with The Dream. Skill and technique beat raw power… “Gorres via a close decision—maybe even a split decision.”

REX “WAKEE” SALUD, Businessman-Promoter, owner of the RWS Promotions, and the executive behind the success of boxing icon Manny “Pac Man” Pacquiao: “The only chance for Darchinyan to win is to knock out Gorres. There are many ways Gorres can win. He could out-point Darchinyan or get a decision.”

BRUCE McTAVISH, International Referee and Judge: “There are two ways the Gorres-Darchinyan fight can finish: 1. Gorres on points, delivering a boxing clinic because of his superior skills; 2. Darchinyan by KO; because of his superior power, he has the puncher’s chance.”

SYLVAN “JACK” JAKOSALEM, Cebu City Councilor and local boxing supporter: “It is very hard to tell. Gorres already recovered from his loss to Montiel in February 24. But Darchinyan, after his recent loss to Donaire, Jr., would try very, very hard to regain a championship title. For Gorres to win, it would require intelligent tactic. He can get some help on how to deal with Darchinyan through the advice of Nonito Sr., who trained Nonito Jr. in his win over Darchinyan. We can no longer rely on the so-called home advantage because it was clear that it did not work with Gorres against Montiel. But I could see that Gorres is preparing very hard for the fight.”

ABEN PIRAMIDE, Lawyer and Sports Columnist for the Freeman: “If Gorres eludes the haymaker Darchinyan, he will take the game. He would have up to the 7th round to avoid Darchinyan’s tools. If he survives that round, he will win.”

Thus say the experts on the Gorres-Darchinyan showdown in the opening salvo this year for Philippine boxing. Both are very, very hungry to win. Both have tasted defeat last year. And both have won another title because of that defeat. Gorres went back with a snatch of the vacant IBF Intercontinental super flyweight crown against Mexican Eric Ortiz last August. Darchinyan reversed with the snatch of the vacant IBO super flyweight title with his defeat of Filipino Federico Catubay, peppered with knockdowns in the 7th and 11th rounds, last October. He also became the IBF Austrasian super flyweight champion.

This Feb 2 encounter would be the next leg in these warriors campaign for dominance—the IBF super flyweight crown. If Gorres wins the eliminator, he would get a shot at the world title. Darchinyan is in a rampage to again unify the IBF/IBO titles in the super flyweight division. Both are on each other’s way.

Witness the world-rated competition at the Cebu Waterfront Hotel & Casino in Lahug at 6 PM brought to you by Solar Sports in cooperation with the Cebu City Government, Cebu Waterfront Hotel & Casino, Cebu’s Always First station Y101, and premier car distributor KIA Motors-Cebu. You may never forget what will happen next.

Tickets are available only in ALA Gym Main Office, ALA Gym BTC, USA Sports TPE, USA Sports SM Boutique, USA Sports Ayala, SM City Customer Service (near Department Store), Ayala Center Customer Service (near Atrium), eMall Customer Service, and Cebu Waterfront Hotel Lobby. Limited tickets only. Beware of fake tickets.




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