Z GORRES vs LUIS MELENDEZ

In the third bout of a triple-header featuring Filipino fighters in Las Vegas on Friday, bantamweight contender Z Gorres meets Colombian Luis Melendez in an all-southpaw match. This seems to be in the nature of a tune-up for Gorres before meeting Fernando Montiel in a rematch in the new year.

Melendez showed great heart and determination in a 12th-round loss to Montiel two years ago, when he knocked down the Mexican fighter and gave him a tough fight, but he has boxed only once since.

Perhaps a long rest was what Melendez needed after the punishing loss to Montiel, but a two-year layoff could mean that he retired but decided to give the game another whirl.

Gorres is a solid boxer-puncher whose only loss in the last six years was on a split decision against Montiel, although he might have been fortunate to get a draw at home against Vic Darchinyan.

I thought that Gorres looked sharp in a showcase type of fight in September when he beat up the well worn Cruz Carbajal, who retired after six one-sided rounds, indicating he had suffered an arm injury.

Melendez is taller than Gorres and he has always been a good puncher — fleetingly it looked as if he might stop Montiel in what would have been a huge upset — but I think that the Filipino fighter has to be considered a big favourite. I am expecting Gorres to outbox and outscore Melendez for a clear win on points, with the possibility of a late stoppage. We don't know how much the Montiel defeat took out of Melendez, while the Colombian’s inactivity doesn’t bode well for his chances against a fighter who is on the brink of a world title challenge.