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Source: abs-cbnnews.com

-- The head injury Z “The Dream” Gorres incurred during his latest victory has finished off his hope to join the ranks of Filipino boxers who have become world champions.

Gorres, who has long fought to gain the same recognition accorded to the likes of Manny Pacquiao and Gerry Peñalosa, may not be able to fight again after undergoing surgery due to a blood clot on the left side of his brain.

Neurologist Dr. Greg Dayrit of St. Luke’s Medical Center said the injury is very common among athletes especially boxers.

“Traumatic brain injury is very common especially among athletes… If you're going to ask me it’s pretty dangerous, especially boxing because of the repeated trauma,” he said.

In the case of Gorres, Dayrit said boxing is now out of the question.

“Boxing is not allowed anymore because of the surgery,” he said.

Even Gorres’ manager Michael Aldeguer of the ALA Boxing Promotions said it is highly unlikely for the Filipino boxer to climb the boxing ring again.

"Definitely it's over, and I’m sure my father (ALA Gym owner Antonio Aldeguer) and myself and the whole ALA Team don't want him to fight again," he said.

Gorres’ bout against Colombian super flyweight Luis Melendez at the Mandalay House of Blues in Las Vegas, Nevada, was supposed to give him a title shot against world champion Fernando Montiel of Mexico, a boxer he had nearly beaten in 2007.

"Sana matuloy iyong mga rumors, [that] ‘yong next fight ko is gonna be a world title," he was quoted as saying before the fight.

Gorres defeated Melendez via unanimous decision but collapsed in the ring merely 30 seconds after his victory was announced.

He was immediately rushed to the University Medical Center where doctors found a blood clot in the left side of his brain. Surgeons had to remove a part of his skull to relieve the swelling of his brain.

Aldeguer said Gorres is slowly recovering from the injury and can now move his head and do simple hand signs.

"’Yong progress niya is encouraging naman, he did a lot of positive things right now, he was able to lift two fingers right now, when he was asked to look for that tube in his mouth he was able to do that," he said.

Gorres’ trainer Edito “ALA” Villamor, a former world contender himself, said they were glad over Gorres’ improvement.

"Nakita naming dumilat ‘yong mata niya, nag-thumbs [up sign] siya sa amin,” he said.

Aldeguer said the insurance coverage of Top Rank Promotions, which handles Gorres, will take care of the Filipinos medical expenses.

Gorres’ wife, Duchess, is working on her papers to join her ailing husband in the US.

She said that she would be leaving their children under the care of their grandmother.

“’Andiyan naman ang mama ko at mga kapatid kaya panatag ako na iwan muna ang mga anak ko,” said Duchess.

Duchess will be handing Gorres’ a letter written by their children, who are asking him to come home for Christmas.

Gorres, who has compiled a professional record of 31 wins out of 34 fights, is known among local boxing fanatics as a superb ring tactician capable of counter punching some of the best punchers in his division.

Among his notable fights were against Montiel and Nonito Donaire foe, Vic Darchinyan.

Gorres lost to Montiel by split decision while he suffered a draw against the hard hitting Darchinyan.