Z Gorres faces Carbajal in “Latin Fury 11”

ALA Gym star Z Gorres will have a tough fight on Sept. 12 in Mexico as he faces former world champion Cruz Carbajal in Top Rank’s boxing series, “Latin Fury”.

Although Gorres only learned of his opponent this week, he said he is ready to battle any opponent placed in front of him.

ALA president Michael Aldeguer said Gorres is eager to show the international boxing fans that he belongs with the elite fighters in the bantamweight division.

“Z is excited to fight. He wants the chance to show that he belongs at the top,” said Aldeguer yesterday.

Even though Carbajal lost 16 of his 47 fights, Gorres isn’t taking him lightly as the Mexican faced some of the best names in the lower weight categories.

“He fought a lot of great fighters before and his losses were from named opponents,” said Aldeguer of Gorres’ Mexican opponent. “We are not taking any chances. He was once a world-rated fighter. Z has to be prepared,” he added.

Carbajal, who holds a 29 wins, 16 losses and 2 draws with 25 knockouts record, has fought the likes of World Boxing Organization bantamweight champion Fernando Montiel, ex-WBO bantamweight titlist Ratanachai Sor Vorapin, erstwhile International Boxing Federation super bantamweight titleholder Lehlohonolo Ledwaba and defeated two division world champion Danny Romero via a fourth round technical knockout in 2002.

Carbajal won the WBO bantamweight crown in March 2002 by dethroning Mauricio Martinez via a ninth round stoppage. He defended it twice until he was defeated by Sor Vorapin by unanimous decision in Thailand in 2004.

“Getting Carbajal was getting more than we expected. This is the fight that Gorres needs,” said Aldeguer.

After this fight, Gorres is scheduled to headline another fight card at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas on Nov. 13, on the eve of the Manny Pacquiao-Miguel Cotto mega war.


ALA fighter Mark Jason Melligen will also be fighting on the same card against Michel Rosales.

“Each fight now is very important for Z. Hopefully we’ll get a title shot next year because it’s high time for him to fight for a world title ,” said Aldeguer.

Also slated in Top Rank’s “Latin Fury 11” is World Boxing Organization mini-flyweight king Donnie Nietes, who will face interim champion Manuel Vargas.

Headlining the fight card is Mexico’s Julio Ceasar Chavez Jr., who is set to face Jason Lehoullier, and Montiel, who is defending his world title against Alejandro Valdez.