WE are eight years, one month and twenty-nine days into a new millennium and so invaders to our shores do not arrive in Spanish Galleons by sea, wearing plate-mail armor and promising to spread a new religion.
They actually plane in via Qantas Air with a connecting flight on board Cebu Pacific Air and are billeted at Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino.
However, some things remain constant and make no mistake about it, former IBF world flyweight champion Vic Darchinyan has arrived with only one purpose and that is to conquer.
But because we are eight years, one month and twenty-nine days into the new millennium, our heroes are not bolo- brandishing, muscle-bound Datus, wearing loincloths.
He’s actually a slenderish 115-pound, 25-year-old young man who prefers to watch TV and read the newspapers in his spare time.
On a recent visit to the fabled ALA Gym, the Last Round recently cornered Z Gorres better than Darchinyan ever could (hopefully) and got to know what makes Z tick.
Why boxing and not any other sport?
I went into boxing because of the influence of my older brother Jun Gorres. (Jun retired with a record of 25-3 with 22 KOs) When I was seven to eight years old, I was always around him during his training, helping out with almost everything until
I eventually took up the sport.
How was your record as an amateur boxer?
I did pretty well, logging in more than a hundred fights.
Who are your favorite boxers?
Sugar Ray Leonard and my brother Jun are my idols. Of the present crop of fighters, I like Floyd Mayweather and locally, Gerry Pe?alosa is my favorite.
What was your most painful boxing experience?
First would be my split decision loss to Fernando Montiel as I honestly thought I had won the fight.
Second would be the Edgar Rodrigo fight. (This is Z’s only stoppage loss). Five days before the fight I was nursing a fever. I took some medicine, felt better and just shrugged it off. At the locker room, my coach massaged me a bit and suddenly he asked me if I had fever, as I felt warm to him. During the fight, I felt very weak and that’s why I lost.
Rodrigo was a southpaw, could that also have been a factor why you had a hard time in that fight?
No, I actually prefer fighting southpaws
Really. So southpaw Darchinyan is actually a fighter you feel that you are comfortable with?
Yes.
Who was the hardest puncher you ever faced?
Montiel. He was a fast, hard puncher.
Who was the dirtiest?
Eric Ortiz. He kept coming in with his head first.
Nonito Donaire Sr. reportedly gave some tips on how to fight Darchinyan. How much of it was used in your training regimen for this fight?
A lot. Plus, we watched a lot of tape. I also sparred exclusively with southpaws like AJ Banal and Glen Masicampo.
Any message out there for the fans?
I heard that a lot of people are excited to watch this fight and so I thank them for their support and confidence in me. It encourages me to do better and I promise them a very entertaining fight.
You are on the Last Round, so I just have to ask. Do you drink?
Very rarely. Probably only a bottle of beer after a fight.
THE LAST ROUND. It’s on Paul “Leo” Learmonth. Cheers mate!
