Reality Bites for Z “The Dream” Gorrez

Mexican world champion Fernando "Cochulito" Montiel proved to be a classy champion from the day he set foot in Cebu. On fight night, Filipino challenger Z “The Dream” Gorres turned out to be the more skillfull fighter.

But when the verdict was announced, the 24-year-old Gorres’ hard work went for naught as two of the three judges tallied controversial scores that spoiled a virtually masterful performance by the worthy Filipino title challenger.

The southpaw Gorres, a huge underdog going into the fight, demonstrated a brilliant, all-around performance that baffled a usually cool and calculated Montiel to the delight of more than 20,000 Filipino fight fans at the Cebu City Sports Center.

However, judges Raul Caiz and Chuck Giampa contentiously gave three crucial rounds to Montiel that were clearly won by Gorres.

Caiz had a final mark of 115-111 while Giampa had it 114-112, both for Montiel.
Denny Nelson saw it 115-111 for Gorres while this writer penned it 114-112 for Gorres.
Referee Sammy Viruet deducted a total of two points from Gorres, one each in the 10th and 12th round for excessive holding as the Filipino challenger tried to hang on after being caught by a solid right straight by Montiel middle of the 10th round.

“The referee should have given Gorres a warning before any deduction was made. It’s an instinct for fighters to clinch if hit by a real good punch,” said boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao who witnessed the fight at ringside.

Meanwhile, the contentious scoring happened in the 5th to 7th rounds that can actually be considered as Gorres’ best rounds.

In the fifth canto, Montiel looked clueless after being peppered by Gorres’ stiff combinations. Gorres’ fluid defense made the Mexican miss a good number of his usual deadly hooks and counterpunches.

Giampa and Nelson gave the fifth to Gorres while Caiz went for Montiel.

Gorres continued his dazzling show in the 6th as he made Montiel miss some body attacks. The Filipino sensation also connected some well-timed left straights and counter blows.

Despite Gorres ample executions in the 6th round, Caiz and Giampa gave it to Montiel.
In the 7th round, Montiel connected some body shots and occasional right punches but Gorres never wavered by whacking the Mexican with his own left straights and significant jabs.

Again, Caiz and Giampa ignored the efforts of Gorres by giving the 7th to Montiel.

Had Caiz and Giampa given the fifth to seventh rounds to Gorres, the Filipino would have won the fight unanimously.

“He can be a world champion soon. He did a great performance tonight,” was all Montiel could say when asked by reporters about his thoughts on the verdict.

The 27-year-old Montiel, who had a bad cut on his left eyebrow as a result of Gorres' crisp punches, defended his crown for the fourth time since winning it from compatriot Ivan

Hernandez in April 2005.

Before scoring the controversial win against Gorres, Montiel lost a 12-round split verdict to Jhonny Gonzales for the WBO world bantamweight crown May of last year.

Montiel’s accessibility to media and fans made him also a favorite for Filipino autograph seekers.
Montiel improves to 33-2-1, with 24 KO's while Gorres drops to 26-2-1, 14 KO's.