A crushing KO loss suffered by Z Gorres, pictured, four years ago will be a crucial factor in the Filipino?s southpaw showdown with Vic Darchinyan, according to the Aussie slugger?s agent Angelo Hyder. Gorres and Darchinyan are slated to fight an IBF super-flyweight eliminator with the winner getting first crack at Russia?s world champ Dimitri Kirilov. Tipping the bout to be a toe-to-toe war from round one, Hyder said Gorres? lone defeat inside the distance had Darchinyan licking his lips in anticipation. Gorres was down three times in his ninth-round stoppage loss to Edgar Rodrigo in Metro Manilla four years ago which cost Gorres the Philippines flyweight title. In the same year, three fights later, he was decked before winning a split decision over Eric Barcelona. Gorres has lost just one other fight, dropping a split decision to WBO super-fly king Fernado Montiel in February. Hyder said Darchinyan would have to start the favourite in a fight with Gorres because of his power. “Vic has to be regarded as one of the world?s best punchers pound for pound,?? Hyder said. “Vic knows Gorres is a strong southpaw with a big punch, a bit like Vic himself. “But if Gorres is suspect on the chin Vic will find him out. “But he has to be careful. Gorres can also whack and he has a first round KO over Glenn Donaire, Nonito?s brother, who also fought Vic for the world flyweight title. “There is so much riding on this fight with Gorres that you will see Vic give the performance of his lifetime.?? Darchinyan is 29-1 (23 KOs), Gorres is 27-2-1 (15 KOs).
