Boxer ZC Oliveros ‘Z’ Gorres is warmly welcomed by his children and other members of his family as he arrives in Cebu City, his hometown. (Photo by CHERYL BALDICANTOS)

Wheelchair bound, Z "The Dream" Gorres arrived in the country yesterday morning after surviving a stroke and a blod clot in the brain which left him in a comatose in a Nevada hospital.

Gorres arrived with his wife Duchess and his physician, Dr. Benito Calderon, aboard Philippine Airlines flight PR107.

“Malaking pasalamat ko sa lahat ng taong nagbigay ng suporta sa akin,” Z said with a slight slur.

“Ako ay nagpapasalamat din sa Panginoon at binigyan niya ako ng isa pang buhay. Malamang ay mayroon pa siyang balak para sa akin,” Z added.

When asked to recount his memory about the fight, Z said, “Wala akong maala tungkol sa laban. Parang panaginip lang lahat ang nangyari.”

According to Gorres, it was his wife Duchess who told him that he just came out from the comatose and that he won the fight against Melendez.

"Kung ako ang nanalo, e bakit ako nandito (hospital)?" Gorres recounted asking his wife after waking up.

Gorres was hospitalized at the University Medical Center in Las Vegas, Nevada after the left side of his body became paralyzed just after winning his bout against Colombian fighter Luis Melendez last November 13.

It was learned that Z suffered a stroke and had a blood clot in his brain because of the pounding he received from the Colombian.

Doctors at the Nevada hospital had to open his skull to drain the blood and relieve the pressure on his brain. This left the 27-year old boxer in a coma with doctors leading to believe that he will not survive.

But after three weeks, Z woke up from the comatose and immediately began therapy to rehabilitate the left side of the body.

“It’s nothing short of a miracle!” Dr. Calderon said of Z's astonishing recovery.
“Just weeks after waking up from the coma, Z can now lift his left arm and leg and can now walk with the help of a walker.”

According to Dr. Calderon, Z has shown an astonishing recovery and although he is not sure if Z could go back to boxing, he is sure that Z is on his was back to living a normal life.

Gorres thanked all his supporters who helped him during his ordeal with special mention to Manny Pacquiao who promised to organize a fund raising event to help him pay his hospital bill which has reached a whopping $562,000.

"Maraming salamat kay Manny sa malaking tulong niya sa akin! Nagpapasalamat din ako kay Frank Slaughter sa paglakad niya ng batas para maproteksyonan ang mga boksingerong katulad ko.

Z's manager, Michael Aldeguer said Frank Slaughter is a University of Las Vegas boxing coach who has made it his advocacy to give ample medical coverage for all professional boxers.

According to Aldeguer, Slaughter is now lobbying for the "Gorres Bill" in the US Congress which calls for the increase of all professional boxers medical insurance from $50,000 to $1 million.

"They expect the bill to be passed by early next year. Hopefully, Z can fly back to the US by then to personally witness the passing of the new law." Aldeguer said.

Z's manager added that they will continue giving financial and emotional support to the boxer and promised to help him althroughout his recovery.

From the airport, Z and his wife took a connecting flight to Cebu City to be reunited with his four kids whom he hasn't seen since October last year.

Asked what his plans are when he goes back to Cebu, Z said he is thinking of starting a soap making business to support his family.