Roach to gauge Gorres

By Dennis Principe

01.03 - MANILA, Philippines - World-renowned trainer Freddie Roach is set to arrive in this city two days before his ward, IBF superbantamweight champion Manny Pacquiao steps into the ring versus Kazakhstan champ Serikzhan Yeshmangbetov in a 10-round non-title tiff  on March 15 at the Rizal Park.

The respected trainer was asked by former WBC Secretary general  Rudy Salud to be at ringside and assess Cebuano flyweight sensation Z Gorres who will be fighting in the Pacquiao-Yeshmangbetov undercard.

A member of the new generation ALA Boys of Cebu boxing patron Antonio Aldeguer,  the undefeated Gorres will be up against Roy Balataria in a 12-round match for the interim Philippine flyweight crown.

The winner will then shoot for the regular RP title currently held by Rolly Lunas who is coming off a failed attempt at the Oriental title recently.

Salud is also working at the possibility of giving Gorres a crack at the WBC International flyweight title currently held by Filipino champion Randy Mangubat possibly this year.

International promoter Gabriel "Bebot" Elorde bared that he has already finalized everything with the host, Manila Mayor Lito Atienza regarding the slambang card at the Rizal Park.

Also included in the card is a WBC international bantamweight tussle between reigning RP Bantamweight king Johnny Lear against current RP superflyweight boss Roger Galicia.

WBC #2 Juanito Rubillar is penciled to appear in a 10-round non-title fight against a yet-to-be-named opponent.