Vic Darchinyan has the utmost respect for Filipino Z Gorres but still believes he can beat the stylish super-flyweight in an IBF world title eliminator.
Darchinyan?s trainer Billy Hussein, whose brother Nedal once decked the great Manny Pacquiao, said the new IBO champ had a high opinion of Gorres? boxing skills.
The IBF has ordered an elimination bout between the pair for the No.1 position in the rankings and a mandatory shot at new world champ Dimitri Kirilov of Russia.
“Gorres has a day to accept the fight and we hope he does,?? Hussein said.
“He?s a very good fighter and Vic and I have a lot of respect for him.
“Gorres is a stylish boxer with good power. He lost controversially in a world title fight with Fernando Montiel and he scored a first-round KO over Glenn Donaire, who is a very good fighter.
“But the thing in Vic?s favour is that he loves fighting southpaws and that?s Gorres? style.
Kirilov won the vacant world crown on the weekend in a 12-round unanimous decision over US Olympian Jose Navarro in Moscow.
Tony Aldeguer, who manages Gorres, sent the IBF an email stating that the Filipino was ?ready and willing to submit himself to an elimination bout against Darchinyan subject to the approval of his promoter, Golden Boy Promotions.?
Darchinyan lost his IBF/IBO flyweight titles in an upset fifth round knockout against another Filipino, Nonito Donaire, last July.
But he returned to win the IBO super flyweight crown last Saturday in Sydney with a 12th round TKO over so-brave challenger Federico Catubay.
Darchinyan is ranked No. 5 by the IBF while Gorres is No. 6. The No.7 contender is Mexican sensation Jorge Arce.
If Gorres declines to fight Darchinyan, Arce could step in, setting up a much-anticipated grudge match between the pair.
Gorres is 27-2-1 (15 KOs). Darchinyan is 29-1 (23 KOs).
