FORMER International Boxing Federation (IBF) and International Boxing Organization fly weight (IBO) champion Vic “Raging Bull” Darchinyan has former champions for sparring partners in his preparation for his IBF super flyweight title eliminator against Cebuano Z “The Dream” Gorres at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino in Cebu City on Feb 2.
Darchinyan’s sparring team is composed of former IBF junior welterweight champion Lovemore N’dou, former junior lightweight titleholder Gary St. Clair, IBF/IBO flyweight challenger Hussein Hussein, undefeated Billy Dib and Filipinos Leon Maratas and Junmar Dulog.
N’dou, a former world champion and a veteran of title matches, has fought boxing greats like World Boxing Association welterweight titleholder Miguel Coto, World Boxing Council light welterweight champion Junior Witter and IBF light welterweight kingpin Paul Malignaggi.
“We are all very thrilled with the way Vic has prepared for this fight. His trainer Billy Hussein has done a great job and we are very confident Vic will beat Gorres and then go on to win the world super flyweight title against Dmitri Kirilov,” said Darchinyan manager Elias Nasser in a report posted at sportsnut.com.au.
But Gorres’ handler, Michael Aldeguer, thinks otherwise .
“It isn’t about bringing in champion boxers as sparring partners that makes the difference but bringing in the right boxers. Even if we bring in (Manny) Pacquiao to spar with Gorres he is no Darchinyan. Pacquiao is Pacquiao. And those sparring partners they have like Hussein is nothing close to being Gorres,” Aldeguer told Sun.Star Cebu yesterday.
Gorres has sparred close to 100 rounds in his second biggest fight of his career in local shores.
“Gorres has done everything he needs to do he is now physically and mentally prepared for Darchinyan,” said Aleduger.
Meanwhile, two local sports personalities also see a possibility of a Gorres victory.
“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”, said Rex “Wakee” Salud close friend of Pacquiao and owner of RWS Promotions.
Jack Jakosalem, the chairman of the Cebu City Council Committee on Sports, Amusement and Games, said the home town factor won’t work for Gorres, judging from his loss to Fernando Montiel last year.
“It is very hard to tell. Gorres already recovered from his loss to Montiel in Feb. 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,” said Jackosalem.
Meanwhile, in the online poll at mannypacquiao.ph, 45.9 percent of 3,861 voters predicted Gorres will win by decision, while another 35.2 percent predicted KO win for the Cebuano. (EKA with PR)
