- Wilfredo Gómez
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Wilfredo Gómez
Wilfredo GómezStatistics Real name Wilfredo Gómez Nickname(s) Bazooka Rated at Super Bantamweight Nationality Puerto Rican Born October 29, 1956
San Juan, Puerto RicoStance Orthodox Boxing record Total fights 48 Wins 44 Wins by KO 42 Losses 3 Draws 1 Medal recordCompetitor for Puerto Rico Men's Boxing World Amateur Championships Gold Havana 1974 Bantamweight Wilfredo Gómez (born October 29, 1956), sometimes referred to as Bazooka Gómez, is a former boxer and three time world champion.
Contents
Biography
Gómez was born in a poor area of Las Monjas in San Juan, Puerto Rico. He has admitted to newspapers[which?] that, as a little child, he had to fight off bullies on Las Monjas' streets. He has told some Puerto Rican newspapers[which?] that he felt he was born to fight because of that situation. Gómez's father was a taxi driver and his mother was a homemaker. Gómez himself reportedly used a bicycle as means of transportation when he was young, and he sold candy to earn pocket money before becoming an amateur boxer.[1]
Amateur career and professional debut
Gómez won the gold medal at the 1974 Central American and Caribbean Games held in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, and 1974 World Championships in Havana, Cuba before turning professional.[2] He also competed in the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich, Germany, getting eliminated by an Egyptian rival in the Olympic's first round of bouts.[3] He compiled an overall record of 96 wins and 3 defeats as an amateur boxer. Because of his family's economical situation, he decided not to wait for the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal, Canada, opting to begin making money right after the Cuban competition instead. Coming from Puerto Rico, he settled for less money and exposure from the American media, and moved to Costa Rica, where he began to tour all of Central America in hopes of finding matches. His professional debut came in Panama City, Panama, where he fought to a draw with Jacinto Fuentes.
Professional career
After this inauspicious debut, he reeled off a streak of 32 knockout wins in a row.[2] Including wins over Fuentes, who was dispatched in 2 rounds in a rematch, and future world champion Alberto Davila, who lasted 9 rounds before being defeated. His 32 knockout wins in a row make him the world champion with the longest knockout streak in history, placing him in third place behind Lamar Clark (44) and Billy Fox (43) for the all-time knockout streak. Among world champions, Gómez had the longest knockout winning streak; neither Clark nor Fox won world titles.[1][self-published source?]
Gómez's knockout streak caught the eye of the WBC Super Bantamweight champion Dong Kyun Yum of South Korea, who travelled to San Juan, Puerto Rico to defend his crown against Gómez. Yum had a promising start, dropping Gómez 30 seconds into the bout, but Gómez picked himself up and eventually won the crown, his first world title, with a 12th round knockout.[1][self-published source?] His first defense took him to the Far East, where he beat former world champion Royal Kobayashi in 3 rounds in Tokyo.[1] Kobayashi had lasted 5 rounds vs Alexis Argüello and 10 rounds vs Roberto Durán when Duran was a Featherweight. Next was Ryu Tomonari in a small city of Thailand. He lasted 2 rounds.
Gómez's streak reached 32 knockouts in a row. Those 32 knockouts in a row included what is generally considered to be his biggest victory ever, a five round defeat of World Bantamweight champion Carlos Zarate, who was 55-0 with 54 knockout wins coming into their San Juan bout.[4] Also included in that streak was future world champion Leo Cruz, beaten in 13 rounds at San Juan. After recording his 32rd. knockout win in a row, he moved up in weight to face the world Featherweight champion Salvador Sánchez of Mexico. He lost his very first professional fight to Salvador Sanchcez by 8th round TKO.
External audio You may watch Wilfredo Gomez fight various boxers, among them Lupe Pintor, here Hoping to get a rematch with Sanchez, Gómez went back to the super bantamweight division, where he got a dispense from the WBC to make 2 preparation bouts before defending his title again.[5] He did so and won 2 non title bouts in a row, both by knockout in the 2nd round, one over Jose Luis Soto, who was a stablemate of Julio César Chávez back in Culiacán, Mexico. Wins over future world champ Juan 'Kid' Meza, knocked out in six in Atlantic City, and Juan Antonio Lopez, knocked out in ten as part of the Larry Holmes vs. Gerry Cooney undercard followed.[5] But all chances of a rematch with Sanchez were dashed when Sanchez died in a car crash outside Mexico City the morning of August 12, 1982. Mexico's boxing fans and general public mourned their gone champion, and boxing fans across Latin America joined Mexico in their tragedy. Gómez, who was training to defend against Mexican Roberto Rubaldino only 5 days later, took a quick trip to Mexico to offer Sanchez flowers and then returned to Puerto Rico the same afternoon. He beat Rubaldino by knockout in 8 rounds and made 1 more title defense, against the Mexican bantamweight world champ Lupe Pintor in the Carnival of Champions in New Orleans, winning by knockout in 14 rounds.[5] The Pintor contest was the only time a Gómez fight was showcased on HBO, which at the time exclusively showcased the largest boxing fights, much like the Pay Per View system does currently.
By the time he was done with the Junior Featherweights, Gómez had established a division record of 17 defenses, and a world record of most defenses in a row won by knockout, all his defenses finishing before the established distance limit.[6]
Featherweight division
He then re-tried winning the Featherweight title and this time, he achieved his dream, winning his second world title by dethroning Juan Laporte, a fellow Puerto Rican who had won the title left vacant after Sanchez died. He beat Laporte by a 12 round unanimous decision. This time, however, it didn't last that long. Ahead on all scorecards, Gómez was the victim of a rally by Azumah Nelson of Ghana who knocked him out in 11 exhilarating rounds in San Juan, December 8, 1984.
Gómez wanted either a rematch with Nelson or a shot at Junior Lightweight world champ Rocky Lockridge of New Jersey, whichever came first. Lockridge was first to offer Gómez a try, and the 2 battled a closely scored 15 round bout in San Juan, with Gómez being given a unanimous 15 round decision, which many experts have said Lockridge deserved, but also which in the opinion of most who saw it live, was a justified decision.[5]
This reign also came to an end quick, Gómez being handed his 3rd loss at the hands of young Alfredo Layne by knockout in 9 rounds. Layne lost the title in his own first defense to South Africa's Bryan Mitchell, and it became obvious Gómez's best years had gone by, so he retired after this fight.
Last fights and retirement
Gómez tried a comeback in 1988 and 1989, but after winning 2 more bouts by knockout, he realized boxing wasn't in his heart anymore and retired for good. He later moved to Venezuela, where he ran into drug problems, causing him trouble with the law and spending some months in jail.[7] He attended a rehabilitation center in Colombia. Gómez rebounded and is now back in Puerto Rico, where he has managed to stay off drugs. He has helped the Hector 'Macho' Camacho with the training of Camacho's son Héctor Camacho Jr., who is a boxer in the Jr Welterweight division. In 1998, Gòmez became a born-again Christian.[8]
On May 18, 2003, Gómez returned to Panama, where he was received by Duran and Eusebio Pedroza, among others. In a message geared towards Panamanians, he expressed thanks to that country, calling it his second country and saying, among other things "I'm very motivated now that I will return to Puerto Rico, and no one should be surprised if I buy an apartment in Panama and move my family here".[9] However, he bought a house in Kissimmee, Florida in 2006, and plans to move there by May of that year. Gómez has three daughters Jennifer, Maria Helena and Linselina and one son Wilfredo Junior.[10]
Gómez had a record of 44 win, 3 losses and 1 draw, with 42 knock out wins. In 1978, he was named Boxing Illustrated's fighter of the year. He is now a member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame. In 2003 a biographical film entitled Bazooka: The Battles of Wilfredo Gómez was produced by Cinemar Films, the documental was directed by Mario Diaz and was filmed in New York City.[11][12]
Professional record
44 Wins (42 knockouts, 2 decisions), 3 Losses , 1 Draw[1] Res. Record Opponent Type Rd., Time Date Location Notes Win 44-3-1 Mario Salazar KO July 19, 1989 Diplomat Hotel, Hallandale, Florida, USA Win 43-3-1 Mario González TKO July 30, 1988 Convention Center, Miami Beach, Florida, USA Loss 42-3-1 Alfredo Layne TKO May 24, 1986 Roberto Clemente Coliseum, San Juan, Puerto Rico Lost WBA World Super featherweight title. Win 42-2-1 Rocky Lockridge MD May 19, 1985 Roberto Clemente Coliseum, San Juan, Puerto Rico Won WBA World Super featherweight title. Loss 41-2-1 Azumah Nelson KO December 8, 1984 Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan, Puerto Rico Lost WBC Featherweight title. Win 41-1-1 Juan Laporte UD March 31, 1984 Roberto Clemente Coliseum, San Juan, Puerto Rico Won WBC Featherweight title. Win 40-1-1 Eladio Santana KO December 14, 1983 Roberto Clemente Coliseum, San Juan, Puerto Rico Win 39-1-1 Iván Zamuco TKO April 23, 1983 Juan Pachín Vicéns Coliseum, Ponce, Puerto Rico Win 38-1-1 Lupe Pintor TKO December 3, 1982 Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA Retained WBC Super Bantamweight title. Win 37-1-1 Roberto Rubaldino TKO August 18, 1982 Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan, Puerto Rico Retained WBC Super Bantamweight title. Win 36-1-1 Juan Antonio López TKO June 11, 1982 Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA Retained WBC Super Bantamweight title. Win 35-1-1 Juan Meza TKO March 27, 1982 Playboy Hotel & Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA Won WBC Super Bantamweight title. Win 34-1-1 José Luis Soto KO February 20, 1982 San Juan, Puerto Rico Win 33-1-1 José González TKO January 9, 1982 San Juan, Puerto Rico Loss 32-1-1 Salvador Sánchez TKO August 21, 1981 Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA WBC Featherweight title on the line Win 32-0-1 Raúl Silva KO June 20, 1981 San Juan, Puerto Rico Win 31-0-1 José Cervantes KO December 13, 1980 Jai Alai Fronton, Miami, Florida, USA Retained WBC Super Bantamweight title Win 30-0-1 Derrik Holmes TKO August 22, 1980 Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA Retained WBC Super Bantamweight title Win 29-0-1 Eddie Ndukwu TKO April 27, 1980 Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan, Puerto Rico Win 28-0-1 Rubén Valdéz TKO February 3, 1980 Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA Retained WBC Super Bantamweight title Win 27-0-1 Nicky Pérez TKO October 26, 1979 Madison Square Garden, New York City, USA Retained WBC Super Bantamweight title Win 26-0-1 Carlos Mendoza TKO September 28, 1979 Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA Retained WBC Super Bantamweight title Win 25-0-1 Julio Hernández TKO June 16, 1979 Roberto Clemente Coliseum, San Juan, Puerto Rico Retained WBC Super Bantamweight title Win 24-0-1 Nelson Cruz Tamariz KO May 21, 1979 Madison Square Garden, New York City, USA Win 23-0-1 Néstor Carlos Jiménez KO March 9, 1979 Madison Square Garden, New York City, USA Retained WBC Super Bantamweight title Win 22-0-1 Carlos Zárate TKO October 28, 1978 Roberto Clemente Coliseum, San Juan, Puerto Rico Retained WBC Super Bantamweight title Win 21-0-1 Leonardo Cruz TKO September 9, 1978 Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan, Puerto Rico Retained WBC Super Bantamweight title Win 20-0-1 Sakad Petchyindee TKO June 2, 1978 Main Stadium, Korat, Thailand Retained WBC Super Bantamweight title Win 19-0-1 Juan Antonio López TKO April 8, 1978 Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium, Bayamón, Puerto Rico Retained WBC Super Bantamweight title Win 18-0-1 Royal Kobayashi KO January 19, 1978 Municipal Gymnasium, Kitakyūshū, Fukuoka, Japan Retained WBC Super Bantamweight title Win 17-0-1 Raúl Tirado TKO July 11, 1977 Roberto Clemente Coliseum, San Juan, Puerto Rico Retained WBC Super Bantamweight title Win 16-0-1 Dong-Kyun Yum KO May 21, 1977 Roberto Clemente Coliseum, San Juan, Puerto Rico Won WBC Super Bantamweight title Win 15-0-1 John Meza KO February 12, 1977 Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium, Bayamón, Puerto Rico Win 14-0-1 José Murillo Medel KO October 11, 1976 San Juan, Puerto Rico Win 13-0-1 Tony Rocha KO August 16, 1976 San Juan, Puerto Rico Win 12-0-1 Alberto Dávila TKO July 19, 1976 San Juan, Puerto Rico Win 11-0-1 Sak Lempthong TKO May 8, 1976 Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium, Bayamón, Puerto Rico Win 10-0-1 Ric Quijano KO April 4, 1976 Roberto Clemente Coliseum, San Juan, Puerto Rico Win 9-0-1 Cornell Hall KO February 20, 1976 Roberto Clemente Coliseum, San Juan, Puerto Rico Win 8-0-1 Andres Hernández TKO December 20, 1975 Roberto Clemente Coliseum, San Juan, Puerto Rico Win 7-0-1 Joe Guevara TKO September 19, 1975 San Juan, Puerto Rico Win 6-0-1 Cleo García KO August 2, 1975 Roberto Clemente Stadium, Managua, Nicaragua Win 5-0-1 Jacinto Fuentes KO June 21, 1975 Gimnasio Nuevo Panama, Panama City, Panama Rematch of first fight Win 4-0-1 Jose Jiménez KO May 3, 1975 Gimnasio Nuevo Panama, Panama City, Panama Win 3-0-1 Antonio Da Silva KO March 2, 1975 Gimnasio Nuevo Panama, Panama City, Panama Win 2-0-1 Jorge Bernal TKO February 15, 1975 Gimnasio Nuevo Panama, Panama City, Panama Win 1-0-1 Mario Hernández TKO December 21, 1974 Plaza de Toros El Zapote, San José, Costa Rica Draw 0-0-1 Jacinto Fuentes MD November 16, 1974 Gimnasio Nuevo Panama, Panama City, Panama Gómez' professional debut. Professional championships
Preceded by
Dong-Kyun YumWBC Super Bantamweight Champion
May 21, 1977 – April 1983
VacatedSucceeded by
Jaime GarzaPreceded by
Juan LaporteWBC Featherweight Champion
March 31, 1984 - December 8, 1984Succeeded by
Azumah NelsonPreceded by
Rocky LockridgeWBA Junior Lightweight Champion
May 19, 1985 – May 24, 1986Succeeded by
Alfredo LayneSee also
- List of boxing triple champions
- List of famous Puerto Ricans
- List of Puerto Rican boxing world champions
References
- ^ a b c d Michael Klimes (2007-05-16). "Wilfredo ‘Bazooka’ Gomez, Part 1". East Side Boxing. http://www.eastsideboxing.com/news.php?p=10992&more=1. Retrieved 2007-09-17.
- ^ a b "Wilfredo Gomez". International Boxing Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on 2007-08-16. http://web.archive.org/web/20070816024346/http://www.ibhof.com/gomez.htm. Retrieved 2007-09-16.
- ^ George Diaz Smith (2005-03-01). "Boxing:RSR Looks Back at Former champion, Wilfredo Gomez". Ring Side Report. Archived from the original on 2007-08-23. http://web.archive.org/web/20070823153436/http://www.ringsidereport.com/Smith312005.htm. Retrieved 2007-09-18.
- ^ Lee Groves (2007-02-28). "Vazquez-Marquez May Add to a Tremendous Tradition". Max Boxing. Archived from the original on 2007-11-09. http://web.archive.org/web/20071109090947/http://www.maxboxing.com/groves/groves022807.asp. Retrieved 2007-09-18.
- ^ a b c d Michael Klimes (2007-05-17). "Wilfredo ‘Bazooka’ Gomez, Part II". East Side Boxing. http://www.eastsideboxing.com/news.php?p=11003&more=1. Retrieved 2007-09-18.
- ^ Andrés Pascual (2006-10-20). "El récord impresionante de Wilfredo Gómez en las 122 libras". Diario Las Americas. http://www.diariolasamericas.com/news.php?nid=15216. Retrieved 2007-09-25.
- ^ Gabriel Cordero (2006-11-01). "Los 50 años de Wilfredo Gómez" (in Spanish). Lo Mejor del Boxeo. Archived from the original on 2007-11-09. http://web.archive.org/web/20071109060133/http://www.lomejordelboxeo.com/vnoticias.php?id=844. Retrieved 2007-09-25.
- ^ Jason Gonzalez (2006-02-21). "Q&A: Wilfredo Gomez!". Fightnews.com. Archived from the original on 2007-11-09. http://web.archive.org/web/20071109090413/http://www.fightnews.com/j-gon47.htm. Retrieved 2007-09-18.
- ^ Gustavo Ampudia (2003-05-18). "¡Mil gracias, mi Panamá!" (in Spanish). La Prensa. http://mensual.prensa.com/mensual/contenido/2003/05/18/hoy/deportes/1023180.html. Retrieved 2007-09-18.
- ^ Scoop Malinowski. "Boxing Legend Biofile: Wilfredo Gomez". Boxing Insider. Archived from the original on 2007-11-08. http://web.archive.org/web/20071108225809/http://www.boxinginsider.net/fighters/wilfredo_gomez.php. Retrieved 2007-09-25.
- ^ Robert Dominguez (2003-09-25). "A Boxer's Saga, Blow By Blow". The Puerto Rico Herald. http://www.puertorico-herald.org/issues/2003/vol7n40/BoxerSaga-en.html. Retrieved 2007-09-18.
- ^ "Bazooka: The Battles of Wilfredo Gómez". Internet Movie Data Base. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0776712/. Retrieved 2007-09-18.
External links
- Professional boxing record for Wilfredo Gómez from BoxRec
- IBHOF.com, Wilfredo Gómez Biography at the International Boxing Hall of Fame Website
- Oneeyedfilms.com, "Bazooka: The Battles of Wilfredo Gómez"
World Amateur Boxing Champions in Men's Bantamweight 1974 – 2009: up to 54 kg • 2011: up to 56 kg1974: Wilfredo Gómez (PUR) · 1978: Adolfo Horta (CUB) · 1982: Floyd Favors (USA) · 1986: Sung-Kil Moon (KOR) · 1989: Enrique Carrion (CUB) · 1991: Serafim Todorov (BUL) · 1993: Aleksandar Hristov (BUL) · 1995: Raimkul Malakhbekov (RUS) · 1997: Raimkul Malakhbekov (RUS) · 1999: George Olteanu (ROU) · 2001: Guillermo Rigondeaux (CUB) · 2003: Aghasi Mammadov (AZE) · 2005: Guillermo Rigondeaux (CUB) · 2007: Sergey Vodopyanov (RUS) · 2009: Detelin Dalakliev (BUL) · 2011: Lázaro Álvarez (CUB)
Categories:- 1956 births
- Living people
- Puerto Rican boxers
- World Boxing Council Champions
- World boxing champions
- Boxers at the 1972 Summer Olympics
- Olympic boxers of Puerto Rico
- International Boxing Hall of Fame inductees
- People from San Juan, Puerto Rico
- Puerto Rican people of Spanish descent
- Puerto Rican Christians
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