Donaire to help in Gorres’ rehabilitation

Nonito Donaire has a heart of gold.

Touched by the plight of fallen fighter Z Gorres, who will never box again after suffering a near-fatal injury last year in Las Vegas, Donaire said Friday that he is lending him a helping hand.

Appearing before the media during victory luncheon hosted by GMA 7, Donaire said he “could feel what he is going through” being a fellow fighter and that he is “planning to see him and offer him something for a few months.”

Donaire arrived Friday from the US, less than a week after scoring a smashing win over Mexican Manuel Vargas.

He was warmly met by GMA executives led by its president and CEO Felipe Gozon, who praised the reigning World Boxing Association interim super-flyweight king for his latest exploit.

Accompanied by his wife Rachel, Donaire said his next fight is still on the drawing board although he is aching to get his hands on the mouthy Vic Darchinyan, the Armenian-Australian who has been criticizing him since Donaire dealt him a savage fifth-round knockout loss in 2007.

Promoted by Bob Arum’s Top Rank Inc., Donaire said another option is to face Mexican Fernando Montiel, the rugged body-puncher who disposed of the untested Filipino Ciso Morales on the undercard of the Donaire-Vargas scuffle.

“If they want to fight me,” said Donaire in his uncharacteristic swagger, “I am just here and ready to fight them.”

In the meantime, Donaire said he will take a break from boxing by appearing on the comedy show "Show Me Da Manny" in the absence of the star of the show, Manny Pacquiao.

Source: Nick Giongco  | Manila Bulletin

Gorres' huge hospital bill still unpaid

MANILA, Philippines - A bill of $560,000 covering stricken fighter Z Gorres’ hospital expenses remains unsettled but Dr. Ben Calderon, president of the Philippine Medical Association of Nevada, said yesterday the University Medical Center (UMC) in Las Vegas allowed his release from confinement because there was simply no money to pay.

“It’s not like in some hospitals where a patient isn’t released until he pays the bill,” said Calderon who cared for Gorres in Las Vegas and flew with him to Cebu the other day. “The hospital will incur more costs if it keeps a patient so the county will eventually absorb the cost. However, there is still an obligation to pay the bill but can Z afford it?”

Calderon said Gorres has not claimed the $50,000 insurance provided by Top Rank and the money raised by the Filipino community in Las Vegas was for his family, amounting to about $10,000.

Gorres, 27, collapsed in the ring after it was announced that he had won a decision over Colombia’s Luis Melendez in Las Vegas last Nov. 13. He decked Melendez in the third round and was in total control when a left hook dropped him with a few seconds left in the fight. As Gorres fell, his left leg folded up under him and his head hit the bottom rope, creating a whiplash. Gorres got up to beat the count but lost consciousness as he was about to leave the ring.

Gorres was rushed to the UMC where a team of five doctors led by neurosurgeon Dr. Michael Seiff performed emergency surgery to drain the blood causing compression on the outer layer of the brain after removing a portion of the skull. The portion was stored in a bone bank and placed back on Gorres’ head in another operation last Jan. 12. Two days after the second procedure, Gorres was discharged.


Gorres underwent a month of daily two-hour sessions in Las Vegas under rehabilitation specialist Dr. Maria Gaerlan and physical therapist Ramon Lasao before he was cleared to fly back home. It was Calderon who arranged the free-of-charge therapy.

Gorres and his wife Datches, who was flown to Las Vegas by ALA gym owner Tony Aldeguer, lived in Calderon’s home then transferred to the apartment of another Filipino supporter, Wynn’s massage therapist Richard Legaspi.

“The Filipino community spirit was so overwhelming,” said Calderon, 42, a native of Isabela who earned his medical degree at La Salle Dasmariñas and practiced in Ohio before settling in Las Vegas with wife Sophia and daughter Vanessa. “About 70 percent of the nurses at UMC are Filipinas and they went around passing the hat from station to station for Z. The outpouring of support was incredible as Filipino doctors, nurses and therapists volunteered their services. The entire Filipino community pitched in.”

Calderon said University of Nevada at Las Vegas boxing coach Fred Slaughter has initiated a move to lobby for a proposed Z Gorres Bill to raise fighters’ insurance to $1 Million in the US. The bill is expected to be made into a law early next year and the plan is for Gorres to attend the signing.

Gorres’ manager Michael Aldeguer said the immediate priority is to continue his rehabilitation. A meeting was set last night to discuss where the therapy will be done. The options are the Chong Hua Hospital and Velez General Hospital, both in Cebu City, and the Perpetual Succor Hospital in Mandaue.

Gorres said God didn’t let him down.

“I know God still has plans for me,” said Gorres. “I won’t be able to fight again but I can share my knowledge about boxing with others. I hope to work in Sir ALA’s gym and train boxers. I owe everything to Sir ALA. When I came home, he told me not to worry about my family, that he would take care of me, that my priority should be to get strong.”

Gorres arrived in Cebu last Tuesday and was welcomed by over 200 well-wishers in the airport. He had a heartwarming reunion with his four children – Dheybert, 7, Sheiladhey, 5, Zhey, 3 and Rhodney, eight months old.

“I miss my kids,” said Gorres. “My daughter, Sheiladhey, cried when she saw me, like she understood what happened to me. I asked her why she was crying and she told me it was because I was so thin. I think I lost about 10 pounds. I embraced all my kids. I’m happy to be home.”

Gorres said the memory of his fight against Melendez is blank in his mind. “I don’t remember anything about the fight,” he said. “I know I won. I’ve watched it on tape. But I don’t really remember what happened.”

Gorres’ wife Datches stayed in Las Vegas for over two months. “Dr. Calderon was a big help,” she said. “He spoke with the hospital authorities to get the release. He took us into his home, gave us medicine and arranged for the rehab. Richard was also very helpful. We stayed in his apartment. He brought us to the rehab clinic and picked us up every day. He massaged Z’s legs and arms every day. We never expected this kind of support from the Filipino community.”

Aldeguer said Gorres is like a brother. “Z grew up with us,” said Aldeguer. “He’s like a son to my father. Z will always be with us. He can work in our garment business or in the gym. The important thing is for him to get back to normal.”

Gorres said he still needs a walker and sometimes a wheelchair but vowed to be on his own soon.

“I told Sir ALA I’m sorry I wasn’t able to win a world title but he told me it’s alright because in his eyes, I’m more than a world champion for surviving this test,” said Gorres. “Sir ALA told me not to worry about the future. I’m truly blessed.”

Solar vice president Ralph Roy was at the Manila airport to greet Gorres upon his arrival before the flight to Cebu. “I have a plan to try and put up a Z Gorres Foundation,” said Roy. “I’ll talk to managers and promoters to put up seed money. This will help fighters who get hurt and those who retire with nothing. For Z, the important thing now is for him to be strong enough to be a father to his kids and to provide for them. I think he’ll get there. The US doctors said he had no chance to survive but he’s back.”

Roy said Gorres’ case is an eye-opener. “Z has put the issue of caring for injured and retired fighters under the microscope,” he said. “Michael was telling me he has been getting calls from fighters asking for help since this happened. Maybe, this is Z’s calling – his way to help others.”

Gorres’ purse for the Melendez fight was $13,500.

Source: Joaquin Henson  | Philstar.com

Gorres, the fallen victor, comes home

MANILA, Philippines - With no fanfare, boxer Z “The Dream” Gorres arrived home yesterday, more than three months after he nearly lost his life for winning what proved to be his last fight on the ring.

He flew in from Las Vegas under cover of darkness and was wheeled to a VIP room. He looked happy shaking the hands of some of his well-wishers as he made his way out of the immigration line.

Gorres granted an early interview with GMA-7. He held on to the microphone and stammered as he fielded simple questions. But he sounded very happy that he’s finally home and will get to see his children

“By God’s mercy, I’m okay,” said Gorres in Filipino as he sat on a wheelchair and often wiped his face with a white towel.

“Good morning,” he said. “I’m very happy being able to return to see my kids. I have four kids.”


Gorres, who underwent brain surgery after collapsing on the ring just moments after winning his bout against Luis Melendez last Nov. 13 at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, was flown straight to his home province of Cebu.

He held a press conference later in the day, and again showed his happiness being able to return home, when three months ago there was great doubt whether he would live.

Gorres thanked his family and friends as well as his fans for providing all the support, and singled out Sen. Lito Lapid as the only government official to visit him while he was fighting for his life.

“He was the only one who visited me, and I’d like to thank him for helping me,” said Gorres.

Manny Pacquiao, the greatest boxer in the planet today, has vowed to provide financial support for Gorres, now that he’s home, and never to fight again.

Gorres’ hospital bills in Las Vegas totalled more than half a million dollars. His promoter, Top Rank, shouldered $50,000 and the rest was paid for by the state of Nevada.

Now, he needs to continue with his rehabilitation, and his personal doctor, US-based physician Benito Calderon, said there’s a very good chance Gorres will be able to walk again.

“His improvement was so fast, we did not expect it,” Calderon said, adding that Gorres, who suffered paralysis on the left side of his body, is now able to move freely and can even get up with the help of a walker.

It will take time before Gorres fully recovers. But what’s important, to him, his family and friends, is that he’s finally home.

Source: Abac Cordero  | Philstar.com

Dream lives on: Thankful Z Gorres arrives home

A wheelchair-bound but thankful Filipino boxer Zeta Celestino Oliveros “Z" Gorres arrived home before dawn on Tuesday, three months after suffering a traumatic brain injury as he fought Luis Melendez in Las Vegas in November last year.

Gorres, who lost weight and had slight difficulty in his speech, thanked fellow Filipinos for their prayers for his quick recovery.

“Nagpapasalamat ako sa lahat ng Pilipino na nagdarasal para sa akin, thank you (I thank all Filipinos who prayed for me. Thank you)," he said in an interview on dwIZ radio.

Amid his fading dream as a boxer, he said he will not stop his children from taking up boxing if they want, even as he voiced regrets he could not realize his dream of becoming a world champion.

“Depende sa anak ko kung kursunada, wala tayong magawa kung gusto talaga nila (It depends on my children. If they want to take up boxing, I can do nothing to stop them)," he said when asked if he will stop his children from taking up boxing.

The dwIZ report said Gorres will be brought to Cebu shortly after his arrival, to continue his rehabilitation.



Gorres’ wife Datches said that in the first weeks after her husband was hurt, they communicated through writing.

“Laki talaga ng pasasalamat namin sa Diyos at sa lahat ng mga taong nag-pray para kay Z, malaki ang pasasalamat namin sa kanila kasi tinulungan kami nila na marinig ang panalangin namin na ipahiram uli sa amin si Z kaya maraming salamat po (We thank God and Filipinos who prayed for Z. God heard our prayers to have Z stay with us)," she said.

Despite his condition, Gorres struck a pose for photographers upon his arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Aiport Terminal 2 past 5 a.m., following a Philippine Airlines PR-107 flight from Las Vegas.

US-based Filipino doctor Benito Calderon said Gorres’ progress was amazing, and that while he may no longer be able to fight, he is likely to walk again.

Calderon said Gorres, who was paralyzed in the left side of the body and had to be carried since his injury, had been able to move his hands and knees, and walk with the help of a walker.

“His improvement was so fast, we did not expect it," Calderon said.

“Malamang di na siya makakalaban. But ang question will he lead a normal life? I think he wants to be able to lead (a normal life), he can still walk. With the showing yung improvement ng lakas niya I think he can walk (He is not likely to fight again. But the question is, will he lead a normal life? He can still walk. And with the improvement he made, I think he can walk)," he added.

Pacquiao to help shoulder rehab efforts

Filipino boxing icon Emmanuel “Manny" Pacquiao will help shoulder the rehabilitation expenses of Gorres.

According to Gorres' wife, Pacquiao approached her husband while they were watching the “Pinoy Power 3" card in Las Vegas, and told him to get well soon.

“Z, pagaling ka, huwag kang mag-alala, tutulungan ka namin (Z, get well. Don’t worry, we’ll help you)," she recalled Pacquiao telling her husband.

On the other hand, Calderon said Nevada taxpayers will likely shoulder the bulk of Gorres’ $550,000 (P25.473 million) hospital fees, and are pushing for a law that will increase insurance coverage for fighters.

At present, Calderon said fighters can only avail of up to $50,000
(P2.315 million) in insurance.

Surgery

Gorres underwent brain surgery after a life-threatening subdural hematoma (traumatic brain injury) he suffered from a fight last November in Las Vegas.

The convalescing Gorres made his first public appearance at the Pinoy Power card last Saturday at the Las Vegas Hilton (Sunday in Manila).

He watched compatriots Nonito Donaire, Jr., Bernabe Concepcion and Mark Jason Melligen beat their respective opponents, and Ciso Morales and Gerry Peñalosa bow to their rivals.

Gorres got hit by a left cross from Melendez in the final round of that nightmarish fight, managed to get up for his win. However, he fell unconscious before leaving the ring.

Source: Author Unknown  | GMANews.TV

Gorres homebound after Las Vegas ‘nightmare’

Filipino boxer Z “The Dream" Gorres is homebound more than two months after undergoing brain surgery and recovering from the life-threatening subdural hematoma (traumatic brain injury) he suffered from a fight last November in Las Vegas.

Still wheelchair-bound but now able to speak, move his hands and walk a few steps, Gorres left Sin City on Sunday accompanied by his wife Datches and Philippine Medical Association of Nevada president Dr. Benito Calderon and his wife on the flight back to the boxer’s hometown in Cebu.

A big number of well-wishers accompanied the 27-year-old boxer to the McCarran International Airport, reported PhilBoxing.Com.

Leading the sendoff party were Las Vegas-based trainer Tony Martin and his family and UNLV boxing coach Frank Slaughter with his son, the prime movers, of fund-raising efforts for the former world title prospect.

“Excited na ako na makauwi kasi matagal ko nang di nakikita and aking mga anak at magulang," Gorres said in Visayan in a TV interview with Sports Saksi Chino Trinidad.

The convalescing Gorres made his first public appearance at the Pinoy Power card last Saturday at the Las Vegas Hilton (Sunday in Manila), where he watched compatriots Nonito Donaire, Jr., Bernabe Concepcion and Mark Jason Melligen beat their respective opponents, and Ciso Morales and Gerry Peñalosa bow to their rivals.

Of all the fights, the bantamweight duels of Morales versus WBO bantamweight titlist Fernando Montiel and Peñalosa against Eric Morel hit home for Gorres. Prior to suffering subdural hematoma after his 10-round duel with Colombian Luis Melendez last Nov. 13, Gorres was supposed to vie for Montiel’s crown.

Despite getting deprived of his dream of winning a world title in his eight-year career, Gorres (31-2-2, 17KOs) still has a lot to be thankful for under the circumstances.

“Sa nangyari sa kanya [recovering from the life-threatening injury], para na rin siyang nag-world champion," his loving wife Datches said.

With his remarkable recovery, Gorres also serves as a symbol of hope and fighting spirit for people faced with extreme adversity.

“Ang advice ko, dapat hindi magpadaig sa sakit o problema. Ilapit lang at ipanalangin sa Panginoon," said Gorres, whom doctors described as "nonfunctional and vegetative" and "literally minutes from death" when he was first rushed to the University Medical Center in Las Vegas after collapsing after the Melendez fight.

Gorres got hit by left cross from Melendez in the final round of that nightmarish fight, managed to get up for the verdict that went to his favor but fell unconscious before leaving the ring.

He was quickly rushed to the UMC and underwent cutting-edge emergency surgery, a part of his skull removed to give his battered brain room to swell. He spent the next couple of months doing rehab and was eventually discharged from the hospital last Jan. 15.

Source: Author Unknown  | GMANews.TV

Gorres eager to come home

Z "The Dream" Gorres during a check-up

Z “The Dream” Gorres says he is eager to return home to Cebu to see his four young children and cannot wait to get on a homeward bound Philippine Airlines flight along with his wife Datches and Dr. Ben Calderon who has helped look after him and been a tower of strength since his tragic accident in the ring last November 13.

A group of law students along with their professor from the University of Las Vegas Nevada called on Gorres at the clinic of Dr. Calderon this afternoon to inform him that they were drafting a bill that would law hopefully be passed into law by the Nevada State Legislature.

A prime mover behind this effort which will be named the Z Gorres Bill is Frank Slaughter, boxing coach at UNLV and himself a former amateur boxer from the US Air Force.

The aim of the legislation is to provide adequate financial coverage for boxers who suffer similar injuries to that of Gorres so that taxpayers in the state won’t be burdened by having to effectively pay the cost of treatment of indigent boxers who are hospitalized.

In an interview with Bev Llorente of ABS-CBN who was commended by Dr. Calderon for her consistent reportage on the fate of Z Gorres and the commendable efforts by the Filipino doctors, nurses and others to help Gorres recover in every way possible, UNLV professor Robert Correales said they were hoping that if the bill is passed and “drafted in a way that is attractive to other jurisdictions that it will be passed in other states and maybe in other countries.”

The law professor pointed out that over the past couple of months because of the injury suffered by Gorres which needed brain surgery at the University Medical Center and subsequent therapy which will be continued when Gorres returns to the Philippines “the concern over the lack of a safety net for the fighters and the burden to taxpayers who have to step in and take care of injured indigents, what we want to do is place the responsibility in the hands of people that are benefiting the most from the activities of the boxers.”

Female law student Jayme Martinez said there was legislation in place years ago that provided $50,000 insurance for a fighter but emphasized that such an amount won’t go very far these days. She said “we are just asking for an increase in order to make the coverage good enough.”

The group realized that small promoters won’t be able to carry any additional financial burden and Slaughter said “all these promoters will be coming in on a sliding scale – the more you make the more you pay.”

Source: Ronnie Nathanielsz  | PhilBoxing

Why not have a “GORRES BILL” here in the Philippines?

There have been heart-warming news reports coming out recently about Filipinos in the U.S. banding together to help Z Gorres pay for his medical bills.

Another bit of good news was the plan for a Gorres Bill in Nevada that will increase the insurance coverage of boxers and MMA fighters from $50,000 to $1 million.

The bill will ensure that every fighter is well-covered and protected for their hospital expenses.

Boxing aficionados are familiar with the Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act and the Professional Boxing Safety Act which are important pieces of legislation that benefited boxers practicing their profession in the United States.

Would it be too much to ask if our lawmakers think of similar bills that will benefit boxers here in the Philippines?

Dozens of our lawmakers and government officials flock to Las Vegas to watch and cheer for Manny Pacquiao. Nothing wrong with that; the powerful and the privileged also have the right to savour a Pacquiao victory just like the underemployed and hungry masses.

But would it be better if the powers that be – who will be asking for our votes a few months from now – leave something behind that will help boxing?

Pacquiao will not fight forever. Sooner or later, he will have to pass the torch to another generation of boxers. Pacquiao is also an exception to the exception, not just in terms of his boxing ability but in his financial security. Filipino boxers retire without the benefit of a pension fund.

By the way, would this be a good time to bring up a certain Luisito Espinosa?

There is nothing wrong with a government official posing with a victorious boxer. But it would be better if they can come up with something long term and sustainable that can help boxers who never made it big. Many of these destitute and disabled pugilists once proudly waved our flag when they fought on foreign shores.

We can always do better. Our boxers deserve better. We Filipinos deserve better.

Source: Rene Bonsubre  | PhilBoxing

'Kid Terrible' dedicates fight to Z Gorres

For Filipino challenger Ciso “Kid Terrible” Morales, his upcoming bout against World Boxing Organization (WBO) bantamweight champion Fernando Montiel is more than just a fight for the title.

The 22-year-old Filipino said he will win the fight so he can take the belt his fallen comrade Z Gorres was eyeing.

"Sa tulong ng Diyos, sisikapin kong manalo para madala ko ang belt kay Z Gorres," said the undefeated prospect fighter from Cagayan de Oro.

The Morales-Montiel fight is one of the undercards of Pinoy Power 3 on February 13. The main event will feature the interim WBA super flyweight fight between title holder Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire and Gerson Guerrero.

Morales (14-0) is undergoing countless sparring rounds in the US in preparation for his match against the battle-tested Montiel (39-2), who has not lost a fight since 2006.

"First time ko dito at napakalamig. Pero sakripisyo lang para maganda ang maipakita ko sa laban," he said.

The battle ground is set at the Las Vegas Hilton in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Morales said he will try his best to win the belt for Gorres, who was supposed to face Montiel in a rematch.

Gorres won a title shot against Montiel by winning over Luis Melendez of Colombia last November. However, he collapsed after the fight due to a blood clot in his brain.

Gorres starts rehabilitation

After 2 major brain surgeries, Gorres started comprehensive rehabilitation last Monday to fast track his recovery.

With the help of Filipino doctors in Las Vegas, he tried testing his balance.

“Maganda yung therapy ko, wala pong problema. Nag-test po ng tayo, para maano yung balance ko. Lalakad ng konti,” said Gorres.

The former boxer said he will watch Pinoy Power 3 and root for his fellow Filipino fighters.

“Sabi ko nga eh, ako sana ang lalaban ngayon d'yan [pero] hindi sinuwerte," he said.

Source: Author Unknown  | abs-cbnnew.com

Z Gorres gets help from Sen. Lito Lapid

LAS VEGAS, Nevada – Senator Lito Lapid came in the aid of boxer ZC Oliveros Gorres in Las Vegas. Lapid stopped by at the University Medical Center (UMC) in Las Vegas to visit and extend help to Gorres after watching the news about the boxer’s medical condition.

“Sana 'wag naman bigyan ng malisya. Walang bahid politika ito dahil s’yempre trabaho ko iyan. Saka committee ko 'yan bilang senador, pangalagaan. Kamukha niyan kawawa naman siya. Ang laki pala ng bill niya dun tapos 'di na pala siya pwedeng mag-boxing ulit," said Lapid, chairman of the Senate’s games, amusement and sports committee.

The senator reiterated that he was not politicking in helping Gorres. He assured Gorres’s family that he is also giving the boxer a small business that will help him and his 4 children survive. Boxing is the only source of income for Gorres and his family.

Meanwhile, Gorres’s wife Dachess was pleased that her husband is not only touching the hearts of the Pinoy community but others as well.

“Hindi ko akalain na ganito dito sa ibang bansa kasi wala kaming kakilala dito. Masaya ako lalo na sa mga nurses dito, lalo na yung mga nurses dito na tumutulong sa akin, sobra-sobra, lalo na yung suporta na dapat daw maging matatag ako, so malaking tulong din sila sa akin sa loob ng hospital," Mrs. Gorres said.

Gorres' US visa was extended through March of this year. He is schedule to be released from the UMC after 2 major surgeries.

A concerned Filipino adopted Gorres and his wife until he leaves for the Philippines in mid-February.

The boxer still needs a follow-up visit with a neurosurgeon and undergo physical therapy to make sure that there will not be any complications such as infections.

Source: Bev Llorente  | abs-cbnnew.com

Z Gorres undergoes 2nd major surgery

LAS VEGAS, Nevada – Two months after his victory that resulted to a brain injury, ZC Oliveros “Z” Gorres’ survival is considered a miracle.

Gorres, who went through an emergency brain surgery in November, is recovering well from his head injury. He can now talk softly and eat regular food.

The Filipino fighter won over Luis Melendez of Colombia in their 10-round bout in November via unanimous decision.

Before his victory, a left straight punch from Melendez landed on Gorres’ temple in the 10th round which caused the blood clot in his brain.

“Mga anak hintayin niyo ang pagbabalik ko, yung promise ko sa inyo, pag-uwi ko diyan. Sa mga taong sumusuporta at nagdadasal, salamat sa inyo,” he addressed his young children.

Gorres went through his 2nd major surgery because doctors needed to put back the part of the skull that was taken out in the 1st surgery.

“Katatapos pa lang ng operation niya. The operation lasted for 2 hours and according sa doctor nakausap natin sa loob hindi naman nagkaroon ng komplikasyon dun sa operasyon. Maganda naman ang pagkakaopera. Wala naman major bleeding na nangyari sa loob,” said University Medical Center (UMC) physician Dr. Benito Calderon.

Attending physicians are hopeful that Gorres will recuperate fast and that no infection would occur.

Surging hospital bills

Meanwhile, his hospital bills at the UMC are increasing. The surgery even drove up his already costly hospital bills.

Because of this, doctors who performed Gorres’ 2nd surgery volunteered their service for free.

Gorres’ insurance covered for only $50,000, which was used up on his 1st day at the hospital.

His family physician, Dr. Calderon, said the UMC management tried to release the boxer last week as the hospital management believed that Gorres is stable and fit enough to travel back to the Philippines.

His family, meantime, continues to seek financial help especially with his impending return to the Philippines in the next few weeks.

‘Z Gorres bill’

Gorres’ plight touched the hearts and raised awareness in the boxing community.

Frank Slaughter, a boxing coach at the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV), is calling for a state bill that would protect all fighters—the “Z Gorres bill” would give additional protection for underinsured fighters in case of injury.

“Our country has been very good to the Philippines. We’ve always sent aid to the Philippines. As a matter of fact, UMC has sent humanitarian aid in the past to the Philippines. We want them to step up,” said Slaughter.

Gorres’ trainer, Tony Martin, sent a call for help to the Philippines’ most famous boxer, pound-for-pound king and 7-division champion Manny Pacquiao.

“Manny, if you’re watching, take time out from what you are doing in the Philippines right now. Just take one hour of your time to visit UMC [where] a fellow countryman and a fellow boxer [is] and say ‘how are you?’ That’s all we require,” Martin pleaded.

Source: Bev Llorente  | abs-cbnnew.com

End of the road for Z Gorres

MANILA, Philippines - Stricken fighter Z Gorres is miraculously on the way to recovery after losing consciousness in the ring and undergoing a two-hour surgery performed by a team of five doctors to drain blood from his skull at the University Medical Center of Southern Nevada in Las Vegas last Nov. 13.

Gorres, 27, will no longer be able to fight and his chance for a world crown in a scheduled rematch with WBO bantamweight titlist Fernando Montiel on Feb. 13 has vanished. But for his wife Datches and their four children, a championship is far from their minds. All they want for Christmas is Gorres to survive his ordeal, return home to Mandaue and live a normal life.

So far, it looks like they’ll get their wish.

Gorres is still confined in the Las Vegas hospital but he’s out of danger. In about a week, doctors expect to remove the flap on the right side of his head as swelling has completely disappeared. The flap was placed after doctors chiseled out a portion of the skull to drain the blood causing compression on the outer layer or membrane of the brain. The portion of the skull is in a bone bank and will be reinserted in Gorres’ head when he is healed.

Ironically, Gorres won the fight that led to his collapse in the ring on that fateful Friday the 13th bout at the Mandalay Bay House of Blues. He dominated Colombia’s Luis Melendez for nine rounds then in the last few seconds of the fight, was caught by a vicious left straight to the head and barely beat the count on rubbery legs. The bell saved Gorres from more punishment. Gorres was subsequently declared winner by unanimous decision and as he prepared to leave the ring, he lost consciousness. He was rushed to the hospital in an ambulance and went under the knife within an hour.


ALA Boxing Gym owner Tony Aldeguer, whose son Michael is Gorres’ registered manager, arranged for the fighter’s wife to fly to Las Vegas. She has not left Gorres’ side since arriving over a month ago.

Aldeguer said the reports on Gorres’ progress are “nothing less than amazing and remarkable and most of all, inspiring.” Nearly every day, Gorres’ wife, English trainer Tony Martin and his Filipina wife Yvonne, a nurse, send e-mail updates to Aldeguer and his son.

“Z’s brain surgery has not affected his memory,” said Aldeguer. “He recognizes everyone who visits him in the hospital.”

Visitors continue to check in on Gorres and wish him well. Among the visitors have been Gerry Penalosa, Rodel Mayol, Rex (Wakee) Salud, Buboy Fernandez, Manny Pacquiao’s Argentinian cutman Miguel Diaz, Ugandan Cornelius Boza-Edwards (who lost his WBC superlightweight title to Rolando Navarrete in 1981), Dr. Allan Recto, international matchmaker Sampson Lewkowicz and his wife, Top Rank matchmakers Bruce Trampler, Brad Goodman and Sean Gibbons and Top Rank trainer Richie Sandoval.

“Z is no longer in the respiratory and breathes on his own,” Aldeguer went on. “He is now eating solid food and has started to talk but in whispers. It is only his left side that still needs to recover. He can now move his left arm but very slowly as with his left leg. Those are the parts of his body that need to be monitored closely as he progresses to recover.”

Aldeguer said his son Michael is in close touch with Tamara Greene, the medical social worker assigned to coordinate Gorres’ discharge planning.

Martin, who lived several years in Cebu and now works as a personal trainer and boxing cutman in Las Vegas, said Gorres has shown “a real fighter’s courage in the true sense of the meaning” in his remarkable recovery.

“Doctors, nurses and all the people involved have been first class,” said Martin. “Let’s not forget Datches who has shown a tremendous strength being by her husband every day for at least eight hours a day, tending to all his needs, showing him the love and care when most needed. I know how much she is missing their children. In my book, she is a diamond.”

The Gorres couple has four children – Dheybert, 7, Sheiladhey, 5, Zhey, 3, and Khodhey, six months old.

“Z’s right side is perfect and gaining strength every day,” noted Martin. “In fact, the grip in his right hand is very strong now. His left side is starting to respond. He moves his arm and can now hold my hand with his left hand with slight pressure. His left leg is slowly responding with slight movement. He is breathing on his own and eating solid hospital food. He talks to us but only whispers. His memory is excellent, recognizing each and every one who visits him. His mind is sharp, no problem there. He smiles and jokes a lot with me and Datches. No words can describe the joy it can give you, just to see that.”

Martin said no release date has been mentioned. “This will only happen once all is well with Z and is fit to travel,” he added.

Source: Philstar.com

Malacañang releases P100T aid for Z Gorres

More help is on the way for downed Cebuano boxer Z “The Dream” Gorres as the President, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, gave financial assistance amounting to P100,000 through the Philippine Sports Commission, at the Malacanang of the South.

The check was presented by PSC Commissioner Fr. Vicente Uy, SVD and Office of the Press Secretary representative Paul Hubahib to the mother-in-law of Gorres, Zurine Micabani, who was joined by the Gorres family. Gorres' wife, Datches was supposed to receive the check but she is in the US to tend to her husband.

Gorres, a native of Mandaue City and a boxer from the famed ALA Stable of boxing patron Antonio Aldeguer, fought and won the WBO oriental bantamweight belt via unanimous decision against Luis Melendez of Colombia. However, Gorres collapsed shortly after the fight and was rushed to the University Medical Center in Las Vegas where he was diagnosed with having subdural hematoma and had to undergo brain surgery. He is still confined as of this writing.

“Nalipay jud mi kay dako kaayo ni nga tabang sa pamilya ni Z (Gorres),” said a tearful and emotional Zurine during the press conference. She added that Z's kids do not know anything about the plight of their father but said that they do get to talk to him though Z is not able to respond.

Uy said that the financial assistance is an initial thrust in their plans to further help Gorres and other boxers who shared the same plight.

“Boxing is a dangerous sport and injuries happen and these boxers need help. Sa pagkakaron, incentives pa lang jud ang atong mahatag but we are pushing to have these amended to include boxers. In the future, maybe they will get to have extended assistance such as monthly pension. But for now, the amendment is still pending in Congress so request lang sa ta taman,” Uy said.