We recently caught up with Filipino Bantamweight Z “The Dream” Gorres 30-2-2(17) following his win over Cruz Carbajal on the Julio Cesar Chavez Jnr-Jason LaHoullier card in Tepic, Mexico. Gorres 27, has stepped up 3 pounds from Super Flyweight this year and hopes soon to get a title shot possibly against former nemesis Fernando Montiel who holds a disputed split decision win from 2007. Gorres also ran current Super Flyweight boss Vic Darchinyan to a close fight when they drew in 2008. It would be fair to say that the Cebu native is one of the best fighters currently boxing to of won a world title. Here’s what he had to say on a variety of subjects.
Hello Z, welcome to 15rounds.com
Anson Wainwright – Firstly how is the cut healing that your received in your fight with Cruz Carbajal in Tepic, Mexico?
Z Gorres – The healing on my cut is doing fine. The stitches were removed last Saturday. The wound is little itchy though.
Anson Wainwright – Can you tell us about your trip to Mexico, the fight with Carbajal and the whole experience?
Z Gorres – The whole trip to Mexico was fun. It was more fun when we arrived in Tepic, Mexico. The people gave us a warm welcome and they were very hospitable and friendly. Just like us Filipinos.
As for the fight I gave my best and stuck with the game plan during that fight. It was great. I won!
Anson Wainwright – Any news on when you’ll fight next? Rumour has it it will be in Las Vegas, possibly against Eric Morel for the Interim WBO Bantamweight title?
Z Gorres – I was originally scheduled by Top Rank to fight on Nov. 13 even before I fought Cruz Carvajal. So far – my fight with Eric Morel for the interim title is just nothing but a rumour. So I am just training for my fight on Nov. 13 but if the interim fight with Eric Morel happens – I am ready for him.
Anson Wainwright – The ALA gym is getting pretty famous around the world for having a lot of top fighters. What can you tell us about the gym and the fighters who train there?
Z Gorres – ALA Gym has always been known to have good fighters ever since but I guess it is only now that its reputation has spread worldwide because of their televised fights. Former world champions like Gerry Pe?alosa & Malcolm Tu?acao started their careers with ALA Gym even during their amateur days.
ALA Gym boxing principle focuses primarily on grass-roots development. Even I started boxing at ALA Gym when I was just 9 years old. It does not go for “instant” professional boxers.
ALA Gym requires its boxers to at least finish high school before allowing them to fight professionally. It is not all boxing at ALA Gym. We are also trained to be a God-fearing person and a good law- abiding citizen. In short, it moulds characters.
Anson Wainwright – Could you give a few of your gym mates a shout out and allow us in Europe and America to know who could be the next Filipino fighter to come onto the world scene?
Z Gorres – ALA Gym has many world-class potential fighters that are now world rated and fought in the States and Mexico. There is Rey “Boom Boom” Bautista, AJ Banal, WBO Minimum weight champion, Donnie Nietes, Mighty Mark Melligen, Milan Melindo, Michael Domingo and Czar Amonsot who fought Michael Katsidis. It has also a young 17 years old Jason Pagara, 140 lbs. worth watching.
Anson Wainwright – You’ve been in with some of the best fighters in the world at your weight drawing Vic Darchinyan, & narrowly losing to Fernando Montiel along with beating 3 former world champions. Who is the best fighter you have fought?
Z Gorres – I guess it is Fernando Montiel. He is a tough and intelligent fighter. Very experienced. I learned a lot from that fight and it made me a better boxer.
Anson Wainwright – How did you get into Boxing?
Z Gorres – I got into boxing because of my elder brother Jun Gorres. Every time he goes to the gym for his regular training at ALA Gym I would always go with him. It was him who introduced and encouraged me to go into boxing.
Anson Wainwright – What do you like to do away from Boxing?
Z Gorres – Basketball and hanging out with friends.
Anson Wainwright – Who is your Boxing hero?
Z Gorres – My older brother Jun Gorres. Manny Pacquiao and Sugar Ray Leonard.
Anson Wainwright – Finally do you have a message for your fans the Philippines?
Z Gorres – To all my fans and those who love boxing……Thank you very much for all your support and prayers. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Thanks for your time Z.
Anson Wainwright
15rounds.com
