World Boxing Foundation superflyweight champion Gerry Pe?alosa and rising star Z Gorres are honing their skills under the watchful eye of trainer James (Buddy) McGirt in Orlando, Florida, and from all indications, it appears they?re approaching peak form.
Lawyer Rudy Salud said yesterday he spoke with New Jersey promoter Murad Muhammad, who arranged the training stint, in a long distance phone call and was told McGirt is impressed by their progress.
Gorres, 22, is slated to face World Boxing Council (WBC) No. 1 superflyweight contender Jose Navarro in the undercard of the Manny Pacquiao-Erik Morales main event at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on March 19.
Navarro, coming off a split decision loss to WBC titlist Katsushige Kawashima in Tokyo, was tapped to replace Gorres? original opponent Dimitri Kirilov the other day. Navarro, 23, boasts a 21-1 record, with nine knockouts.>
It will be an acid test for Gorres who is managed by Salud with businessman Tony Aldeguer. Gorres has a 18-1-1 record with 11 knockouts.
Salud said according to McGirt, Gorres is about two fights away from challenging for a world crown.
“The report is Gorres has everything in his arsenal except he has to build up more power,” said Salud. “It?s something that he?s working on. I was surprised when Kirilov was replaced. Kirilov is a thinking fighter like Gorres so their fight would?ve been interesting. Navarro is tough. He lost a split decision to the world champion in his last bout so no doubt, he wants to bounce back with a bang.”
Salud said McGirt pronounced Pe?alosa ready to fight International Boxing Federation bantamweight titlist Rafael Marquez. No fight has been booked for Pe?alosa but there are possibilities late this month or early April.
“I?m not surprised that McGirt is impressed with Gerry,” said Salud. “Even Freddie Roach thinks Gerry is superior to Manny Pacquiao in many ways, not only technically. McGirt considers Gerry the best of the fighters in the lighter divisions he has ever trained. The good news is Murad told me Marquez is interested in fighting Gerry so that match could materialize sooner than later.”
Salud used to manage Pe?alosa but they parted ways after the fighter lost in three attempts to regain the WBC superflyweight title.
“The chemistry wasn?t there but I continue to support Gerry as a surrogate father,” said Salud.
Although Salud is no longer Pe?alosa?s manager, he paid for his trip to the US, gave him $2,500 pocket money and supports his family here. Gorres was also given $2,500. Salud recently sent $1,500 more to each fighter for living expenses.
“I?m helping out Gerry as a friend,” said Salud. “I?m hoping Gerry regains the WBC title. Now that he?s settled as a family man, I think he?s ready to take chances again. He?s sacrificing a lot in Florida without his family. This is his last chance.”
Pe?alosa and Gorres stay in a hotel close to McGirt?s gym in Orlando. McGirt fetches them every day, brings them to the gym, supervises their workouts and brings them back to the hotel.
“Both Gerry and Buchoy (Gorres) are learning a lot from McGirt,” said Salud. “Gerry has worked with Alton Merkerson and Freddie and he thinks McGirt is also a great teacher.”
Salud said he?s providing for Pe?alosa and Gorres because “they?re in a position to give honor and glory to our country.”
Salud said Muhammad recommended McGirt to train the fighters so as not to take away Roach?s focus from Pacquiao.
“McGirt is credited for transforming Arturo Gatti from a pure slugger to a polished boxer-puncher,” said Salud. Among his other fighters are Antonio Tarver, Nate Campbell and Sharmba Mitchell.
