GOMEZ NEVER LOST AT “PRIME” WEIGHT
Wilfredo Gomez Cracks Lupe Pintor (1982)
San Juan, Puerto Rico– The World Boxing Organization (WBO) honored today former three time world champion and International Boxing Hall of Fame member Wilfredo “Bazooka” Gomez on the 37th anniversary of Wilfredo winning his first the first world title at 122 lbs.
NOBODY COULD HANDLE GOMEZ AT 122…NOBODY!
“We want to honor the career of one of the best in history, not only of Puerto Rico, but the World, Wilfredo Gomez, and do it with him here today. Today we commemorate 37 years of that fight, when he won his first world championship as a professional boxer and we want to remember that achievement”, WBO president Francisco “Paco” Valcarcel said. “But there are other great events in Gomez’ career we want to celebrate this year. We at the WBO always remember and hono our great athletes”.
WILFREDO SILENCED BY BAD COLD
Gomez, who had a throat ailment and couldn’t speak, thanked everyone for the tribute as he shared the stage with a group of former Puerto Rican world champions, world ranked fighters and prospects, who along with Valcarcel, gave him a commemorative WBO belt as part of the celebration.
GOT UP & WENT ON UNBEATEN TITLE RUN
On May 21, 1977, “Bazooka” Gómez, only 20 years old and 15-0-1, 15 KOs, challenged WBC super bantamweight (122) champion Dong-Kyun Yum who was making his second defense with a record of 50-2-6, 21 KOs. The fight was held at the Roberto Clemente Coliseum and before a packed house that saw Gomez get off the canvas in the first round to knock out the Korean in round 12.
GOMEZ ON OLYMPIC TEAM AT JUST 15!
Born on October 29, 1956, Gomez started boxing as a child and represented Puerto Rico at the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich, Germany. Only 15 years old, Wilfredo lost to Egyptian Mohamed Selim on points in the first round.
WINS WORLD AMATEUR TITLE WITH ALL KNOCKOUTS!
In February 1974, Gomez traveled to Dominican Republic with the Puerto Rico Boxing Team and at the Central American and Caribbean Games, wining the gold medal fighting at 119 lbs. Seven months later in August, 1974, Gomez represented Puerto Rico in the first World Amateur Boxing Championships held in Havana, Cuba. Gomez went on a tear and won all his fights by knockout. In the finale, Gomez took care of Cuba’s Jorge Luis Romero to win the gold medal.
GOMEZ DRAWS IN BOXING BAPTISMAL
In November 1974, Gomez debuted with a six round draw against Jacinto Fuentes in Panama. After the draw, Gomez won 15 fights in a row by knockout (including Fientes in a rematch) to challenge Kyun Yum and win his first title May 21, 1977.
“BAZOOKA” HAS RECORD AT 122 THAT MAY STAND FOREVER
Gomez made 17 successful defenses of this 122 lb. title, all won by KO, which is a record in boxing. From his debut in 1974, Gomez would remain unbeaten until a 1981 bout when he moved up in weight to face the late Salvador Sanchez at 126 lbs.
THREE DECADES SINCE GOMEZ-LAPORTE
On March 31, 1984, again at the Roberto Clemente Coliseum, Gomez challenged fellow countryman Juan Laporte for his WBC featherweight (126) belt. Gomez beat Laporte by unanimous decision to become a world champion in a second weight class. Gomez won his third world belt, the WBA junior lightweight (130 pounds) title on May 19, 1985 when he was awarded a majority decision over Rocky Lockridge.
GREATEST FIGHT EVER AT 122 WAS GOMEZ-PINTOR
You’ve heard HBO judge Harold Lederman say, “The greatest fight I ever scored (officially) was the Wilfredo Gomez knockout of Lupe Pintor. That fight really showed what great champions both men were. Wilfredo would not be denied and ended up stopping the proud Mexican warrior in round 14.”
HALL OF FAMER HAS INCREDIBLE NUMBERS
Gomez ended his career with a record of 44-3-1, 42 KOs with world titles at 122, 126 and 130 lbs. The great Gomez’s overall record in world title fights was 20-3, 18 KOs. His reign at 122 entailed 17 title defenses, again, all 17 wins via by knockout
“BAZOOKA” GOMEZ GIVEN ULTIMATE HONOR
With such a stellar career, Gomez was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, New York in 1995, becoming only the third Puerto Rican enshrined at the time.
GALA EVEN OFFERED FINANCIAL ADVICE TO FIGHTERS
With the WBO and it’s unwavering commitment to help both the older and younger boxers, President Valcarcel brought Certified Public Accountant Jose Alberto Silva to the event to speak about the importance of knowing how to handle the money they generate in their careers. Silva works with several Major League Baseball players, including former pitcher Javier Vazquez.
WBO HAD PARADE OF CHAMPIONS HONOR GOMEZ
Former world champions who were in the event were Ivan “Iron Boy” Calderon, Wilfredo Vazquez, Samuel Serrano, Alfredo “Salsero” Escalera, Alex “El Nene” Sanchez, Angel “Cholo” Espada, Juan Manuel “Juan Ma” “Lopez, Rafael del Valle, Manuel Alejandro Siaca and Julian Solis. Also present were contenders Cesar Seda Jr., Jesus Rojas, Victor Bisbal, Thomas Dulorme, Rey Ojeda and prospects like Felix Verdejo, Prichard Colon, John Karl Sosa, Emmanuel Jesus and Israel Vazquez Jr..
PROUD PUERTO RICAN BOXING COMMUNITY ON HAND
Also involved with the Gomez tribute were WBO Executive Committee members Luis Batista Salas, Jose Izquierdo, Manuel Marrero Hueca, Alberto Rodriguez, Luis Perez and Adolfo Flores Monge, and a number of referees, judges, trainers, managers and promoters.
WBO CONGRESS #27 HITS LAS VEGAS IN OCTOBER
I don’t know how the WBO could top last year’s gala event in Budapest, Hungary, seeing a head of state, Hungarian President Yanos Adler spoke on the final night of the Congress. Remember the WBO 27th Annual Congress will take place at the Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas from October 27 to October 31, 2014. More information at www.wboboxing.com.
“Ring Talk News Service”