The heat is scorching as the Feb. 2 raging battle between Filipino Z “The Dream” Gorres and Armenian Vic “The Raging Bull” Darchinyan for an IBF super flyweight eliminator nears.

Boxing fans are split in anticipation on what prevails in the end — brute force or technical finesse.

Boxing experts who have closely looked into the careers of the two world-class warriors are expecting a classic boxing match that will require skills and intelligent tactics from both sides.

Expressing his thoughts on the match, sports columnist Recah Trinidad said the Darchinyan vs. Gorres fight will be between two world-caliber warriors of contrasting styles.

Trinidad said he can not see how Darchinyan could outbox Gorres, who is superior technically, but Darchinyan can steal the daylights with a single punch.

Bangkok-based photojournalist Scott Mallon said the fight is a classic match-up that will require Gorres to stay focus in the game and out of the way of Darchinyan's power punches.

Mallon said Gorres can maximize the support of the home crowd and if he will be able to withstand the initial onslaught from Darchinyan, he has a good shot at winning the decision.

Businessman-promoter Rex “Wakee” Salud offered that the only chance for Darchinyan to win is to knock out Gorres while there are many ways for the Filipino fighter to win – to out-point Darchinyan or get a decision.

International referee and judge Bruce McTtavish, on the other hand, sees the match ending with Gorres winning on points by delivering a boxing clinic because of his superior skills or Darchinyan prevailing due to his superior power.

The Feb. 2 encounter would be the next leg in the two warriors' campaign for dominance of the IBF super flyweight crown. If Gorres wins the eliminator, he would get a shot at the world title while Darchinyan is in a rampage to again unify the IBF/IBO titles in the super flyweight division.

The world-class matchup will be held at the Cebu Waterfront Hotel and Casino and scheduled at 6 p.m. *

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Z Gorres gets ready for classy Cebu fight