RP boxer Z Gorres in coma after victory in Vegas

Just as the nation was preparing for the megabout between Manny Pacquiao and Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto, a nightmarish tragedy struck Filipino prospect Z “The Dream" Gorres after winning his fight Friday in Las Vegas (Saturday in Manila). Gorres, one of the top bantamweight boxers from the Philippines, collapsed after hacking out a 10-round decision over Colombian Luis Melendez at the House of Blues in Mandalay Bay and was rushed to the UMC Hospital in Las Vegas.

For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV According to BoxingScene.Com, the 27-year-old Gorres, who was knocked down in the final round but survived the bell, suffered a subdural hematoma and had to undergo emergency surgery. The website reported that Dr. Micheal Seiff had to remove a part of Gorres' skull to relieve the swelling of the brain. As of posting time, the Nasipit, Agusan del Norte-born Gorres is in a medically-induced coma and is scheduled to have further tests over the weekend, the website added. In a radio report by Chino Trinidad, he said Gorres is under critical 24-hour watch and his brain remains swollen. Trinidad described the Gorres-Melendez tussle as a "brutal fight." Gorres, who once battled Vic Darchinyan and lost via a close decision, just hiked his ring record to 31-2-2 after getting the judges’ nod against Melendez, 98-90, 98-90, and 97-91, in their encounter held on the eve of the Pacquiao-Cotto showdown. After the announcement of the verdict, though, PhilBoxing.Com reported that Gorres walked back to his corner unsteadily and eventually collapsed - GMANews.TV