Editor’s note: This is the last of a three-part special guest post by Mark Lorenzana of Pinoy Fight Scribe, detailing the inspiring recovery of Z Gorres from a brain injury he suffered in a fight last year. See part 1 and part 2 of this report.

There is no denying now the courage, heart, and fighting spirit that Gorres has shown throughout his career, and perhaps more importantly, in his life. And, just recently, Z showed his trademark grit and steely resolve in this year's Sportswriters Association of Cebu-San Miguel Beer Sports Awards held at the Casino Español Ballroom.

Gorres was the presidential awardee in this year's SAC awards. He attended the banquet in a wheelchair, along with his wife Datches. When his name was called by the emcee, Z proceeded toward the stage to collect his award. But no, he didn't use his wheelchair.

SAC president, sportsman, and fellow sports blogger John Pages was present that night, and was in fact the one who handed Gorres the award. He couldn't help but feel emotional with what he and the other 200 people present had witnessed. Pages wrote in his blog:

He stood up. Everybody gasped. Pushing himself up from his wheelchair and aided by the loving arm of his wife, Datches, he stepped forward. One foot in front of another, his legs quivered. The athlete/awardees cheered like they were spectators. Everybody had goosebumps. We snapped photos. Sabah Fadai, the (URCC) mixed martial arts champion, cried. Some of the toughest of athletes’ eyes swelled with tears.”

(Photo by Kenneth Casquejo)

“In the 21 years that I have been part of the event, I’ve never been as moved as the other night when Z ‘The Dream’ Gorres stood up from his wheelchair to receive the Presidential Award given to him by the SAC,” wrote Nimrod Quiñones, The Freeman managing editor and sports columnist. Quiñones adds: “Gorres was the star of the awards ceremony as he does not only epitomize what a true athlete is with the determination that he has shown, but also he proved that being a winner is not all power and brains, it also takes a lot of heart. I'm sure there were many teary-eyed people among the sportswriters, awardees, and the audience that moment that Gorres got up from his wheelchair. Even our guest speaker, boxing patron Antonio ‘Bidoy’ L. Aldeguer, ditched his prepared speech.”

Indeed, the elder Aldeguer didn't need to read a word from his speech. “I have prepared a speech that I have worked on for two days. But what else can I say to inspire you more, than what you have seen here,” said Aldeguer when it was his turn to speak.

“I look at him and it always takes me back many years ago when a small boy, who tagged along [with] his brother, came to my gym," Aldeguer said. "I could never forget that day when the nine-year-old kid cried after the sparring sessions. Not because he got hurt but because people told him he was not good enough. That he will never be good enough.”

Coming full circle

Diana and I were fortunate enough to meet Gorres in person when we watched another ALA fighter, Michael Domingo – who was seeking revenge for his fallen comrade – fight Melendez at the Cebu Waterfront Hotel just recently. Auspiciously, Z would also get the chance to meet Melendez, the fighter who ended his career.

In an emotional moment before the Domingo-Melendez fight, Gorres, who was accompanied by Datches, entered the arena after being introduced by the ring announcer. Z was given a standing ovation by the audience as he struggled to walk to his ringside seat, and not a few people in the venue had tears in their eyes, including Diana.

When Domingo and Melendez finally traded leather, it proved to be a short night for the Colombian. Domingo controlled most of the opening round and was more aggressive against the seemingly tentative and gun shy Melendez. In the second round, Domingo unleashed a powerful and nicely-timed short left hook that connected flush just below the Colombian's ribcage, sending Melendez to the canvas, writhing in agony. Melendez failed to beat the count and Domingo capped off the night-- which was mostly dominated by ALA boxers in the undercards – with an impressive victory.

After the fight, Diana and I went over to where Z and Datches were seated. Diana shook Z’s hand and told him that it was an honor to meet him and that she had watched Z fight against Montiel, her countryman, and that it was one of the most unforgettable experiences in her entire life. Datches, for her part, was very gracious and accommodating, and she even gave up her seat for a few minutes so we could sit next to Z and talk to him and have our pictures taken with him. We thanked Z and left him as he was being mobbed by fans and media alike.

Even though Domingo successfully avenged Gorres, I must say that I was a bit uncomfortable with the revenge angle that was played out in the fight card between Domingo and Melendez, which was dubbed as “Hangad na Paghihiganti” or “Resbak” because I’m sure Melendez did not wish anything bad to happen to Z in their ill-fated fight. He was just doing his job, so to speak. In fact, Melendez happened to be a very soft-spoken, friendly, and amiable guy.

After the fight, Melendez went over to Z, shook his hand, and the two former ring opponents exchanged pleasantries. Both had finally come face to face after squaring off against each other inside the ring several months ago, a fight whose outcome has evidently changed Z's life outside of it forever, and, who knows, perhaps the life of Melendez as well.

Indeed, after the incident, both fighters seem to have come full circle.

The champion

Z has been undergoing extensive rehab at the Cebu Perpetual Succour Hospital since March. The goal of rehab, according to Z’s doctor Rhoel James Dejano, talking to Sun.Star Cebu's Gayle Lorraine Tallo, is to make Z “functionally independent in almost all aspects in his daily living.” Gorres is now also able to eat, bathe, and change his clothes by himself. Z can now also walk by himself with only the occasional assistance.

Ultimately, though, believe it or not, Z's goal is to get back into boxing after he has fully recovered. Not as a fighter, but as a trainer. This is how much he loves the sport. “I want to be a boxing trainer and share what I have learned throughout the years,” Z says.

When pressed if he will allow his sons to box professionally in the future, Z replied: “It depends. It’s up to them. I can’t stop them from doing what they really want.”

Datches, however, is more adamant when asked the same question. “A big no,” she says. “I don't want the same thing that happened to my husband to happen to my sons as well. If possible, I don't want them to take up boxing.”

And despite everything that happened, there is no trace of bitterness from Z. He has fully accepted the fate that has befallen him. “I have accepted it,” Z says. “God has his own plans for all of us.”

When you think about it, Z actually survived one of the biggest fights of his life, bigger than any championship title fight. He stared death in the face and came out punching.

To this day, Diana still thinks that Montiel, her countryman, won that fight against Gorres three years ago. I still believe that Z, my fellow Cebuano, deserved to be champion that night. But regardless of her nationality and who she rooted for in that fight, Diana admits that the soft-spoken and ever-humble Gorres is not only one hell of a fighter, but one hell of a human being as well. She adds that Z is a survivor and an inspiration to everyone. I don't think anyone can disagree with her.

Perhaps it’s high time to give credit where credit is due. Although he never won that elusive world title and never became a world champion, Z Gorres has shown us that sometimes, winning in life is more important than winning boxing championships.

Oftentimes, earning respect and admiration is more important than earning millions of pesos.

Makes you want to rethink what “good enough” means. Makes you want to rethink who the “best” really is.

Makes you want to rethink the meaning of the word “champion.”