By Salven Lagumbay

The World Boxing Organization (WBO) headed by its president Paco Valcarcel and through its Asia Pacific chairman Leon Panoncillo has made good on its commitment to be a global organization for its fighters with its latest humble donation to retired fighter Z Gorres and his family.

 

Gorres, in an emotional conversation with Panoncillo who visited him at his residence in Mandaue City last Sunday, revealed that prior to his bout with Colombian Luis Melendez, it was his dream to at least set aside a portion of his bout purse for the purchase of household items like dining set as well as living room set.

 

"I was really planning on doing that. It was my little dream. I knew after the fight, I would have done that to somehow give happiness to my family," Gorres told Panoncillo.

 

Gorres' wife Datches, however, informed that because of the ring tragedy, they were not able to purchase the item, as most of the fight purse went to hospitalization, travel expenses as well as therapy payments for Gorres.

 

Panoncillo then told the Gorres couple, as well as their four children, that the WBO will make a humble contribution for them, something that will be useful as they go on with their daily life.

 

That "humble contribution" however, turned out to be a little miracle for the Gorres clan, as the WBO went on to surprise the family with not just a beautiful dining and sala set, but also with a brand new refrigerator, top-of-the-line entertainment showcase, color-coordinated living room carpet, and as an icing on the cake, a brand-new 30-inch LCD television.

 

"Sir, thank you for the generosity. Please tell Sir Paco my big thank you," a teary-eyed Gorres told Panoncillo over the phone the following day, as the boxing exec was already in Manila ready for his flight back to Bangkok where the WBO maintains a beautiful headquarters.

 

"This is just a fullfillment of a commitment. The WBO is proud to say that although we are a sanctioning body, that we are there not just for the fees from fighters and promoters, but also to be really there when our fighters need us most," said Panoncillo.

 

Gorres, nicknamed "The Dream" as a fighter, has indicated that this gift from the WBO is truly a dream come true, coming from an organization whose belt he proudly wore during his fighting days.

 

"Now I am so happy. This will tremendously help me and my family," added the fighter who is well on his way to full recovery.