Wilfredo Gómez
Wilfredo Gómez | |||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hato Rey, Puerto Rico | |||||||||||||||
Other names | Bazooka | ||||||||||||||
Statistics | |||||||||||||||
Weight(s) | |||||||||||||||
Height | 5 ft 5+1⁄2 in (166 cm) | ||||||||||||||
Reach | 66+1⁄2 in (169 cm) | ||||||||||||||
Stance | Orthodox | ||||||||||||||
Boxing record[1] | |||||||||||||||
Total fights | 48 | ||||||||||||||
Wins | 44 | ||||||||||||||
Wins by KO | 42 | ||||||||||||||
Losses | 3 | ||||||||||||||
Draws | 1 | ||||||||||||||
Medal record
|
Wilfredo Gómez Rivera
His seventeen consecutive knockouts in championship defenses as a junior featherweight is a record for all boxing divisions. He was ranked number 13 on The Ring magazine's list of the "100 greatest punchers of all time".[5] In 1995, Gómez was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
Biography
Gómez was born in a poor area of Las Monjas of Hato Rey in San Juan, Puerto Rico, the son of Jacobo Gómez and Paula Rivera. 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.[6]
Amateur career and professional debut
Gómez won the gold medal at the 1974
Professional career
After this inauspicious debut, he reeled off a streak of 32 consecutive knockouts
Gómez's knockout streak caught the eye of the
Gómez's streak reached 32 knockouts in a row, including what is generally considered to be his biggest victory ever,
External audio | |
---|---|
You may watch Wilfredo Gómez fight various boxers, among them Lupe Pintor, here |
Hoping to get a rematch with Sanchez, Gómez went back to the
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.[15]
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, he didn't enjoy a lengthy title reign. Ahead on all scorecards, Gómez was the victim of a rally by Azumah Nelson of Ghana who knocked him out in 11 rounds in San Juan, December 8, 1984.[16]
Gómez wanted either a rematch with Nelson or a shot at WBA and Lineal Junior Lightweight world champion 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 majority 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.[17][14]
Around this time, he began a shortly lived career as a boxing broadcaster. He specifically covered the
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 Brian 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 1987 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
On May 18, 2003, Gómez returned to Panama, where he was received by friends Roberto 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".[20] However, he bought a house in Orlando, Florida in 2006.
Gómez had a record of 44 wins, 3 losses and 1 draw, with 42 knockout wins and all three losses also by knockout. In 1978, he was named Boxing Illustrated's Fighter of the Year. He is now a member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame. Gómez was voted as the Greatest Super Bantamweight Ever in 2014 by the Houston Boxing Hall Of Fame. The HBHOF is a voting body composed totally of current and former fighters. In 2003 a biographical film entitled Bazooka: The Battles of Wilfredo Gómez was produced by Cinemar Films, the documentary was directed by Mario Diaz and was filmed in New York City.[21][22]
Personal
Gómez has three daughters: Jennifer (who is Panamanian by birth), Gina and Liz Irina (Venezuelan by birth )and one son, Wilfredo Junior.[23] He is good friends with Panamanian boxing legend Roberto Durán.[13] and former Puerto Rico Boxing Commissioner and boxing champion Victor Callejas.
Gómez declared that Fighting Harada was his idol as a child.[24]
Gómez is married to Carolina Gamboa.[25]
On April 17, 2015, Gómez was arrested by Puerto Rican police after allegedly hitting his 59-year-old companion, a lady with whom he had been living for ten months. He was released after she refused to raise charges against him.[3]
British boxer Michael Gomez adapted his last name from Armstrong to Gomez as a homage to Wilfredo, who was his childhood idol.[26]
A biographical book about Gómez, written by author Christian Giudice and named "A Fire Burns Within", was released May 9, 2016.[27]
Gómez was hospitalized on May 21, 2018 in Cupey, Puerto Rico, suffering from a pulmonary edema and pneumonia.[28]
On March of 2022, Gomez was rescued by his wife Carolina Gamboa, son Wilfredo Jr., and by friend, fellow former world boxing champion Victor Callejas, from his ex lover, identified as Diana Sevilla Villalobos, who apparently was holding him hostage at his Venus Gardens, Cupey (San Juan) house. Gomez was taken to a psychiatric hospital.[29] Gomez subsequently recovered and returned to his wife by choice.[30]
Honors
Both the Wilfredo Gómez boxing gym[31] and the Complejo Deportivo Wilfredo Gómez (Wilfredo Gómez Sporting Complex) in Guaynabo are named after him.[32]
Professional boxing record
48 fights | 44 wins | 3 losses |
---|---|---|
By knockout | 42 | 3 |
By decision | 2 | 0 |
Draws | 1 |
No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round | Date | Location | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
48 | Win | 44–3–1 | Mario Salazar | KO | 2 (10), 1:45 | Jul 19, 1989 | Diplomat Hotel, Hallandale, Florida , USA
|
|
47 | Win | 43–3–1 | Mario González | TKO | 6 (8), 1:58 | Jul 30, 1988 | Convention Center, Miami Beach, Florida, USA | Not the Mario Gonzalez who won a Bronze medal at the 1988 Olympic Games.[33]
|
46 | Loss | 42–3–1 | Alfredo Layne | TKO | 9 (15), 0:32 | May 24, 1986 | Roberto Clemente Coliseum, San Juan, Puerto Rico | Lost WBA and The Ring super featherweight title |
45 | Win | 42–2–1 | Rocky Lockridge | MD | 15 | May 19, 1985 | Roberto Clemente Coliseum, San Juan, Puerto Rico | Won WBA and The Ring super featherweight titles |
44 | Loss | 41–2–1 | Azumah Nelson | KO | 11 (12), 2:58 | Dec 8, 1984 | Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan, Puerto Rico | Lost WBC featherweight title |
43 | Win | 41–1–1 | Juan Laporte | UD | 12 | Mar 31, 1984 | Roberto Clemente Coliseum, San Juan, Puerto Rico | Won WBC featherweight title |
42 | Win | 40–1–1 | Eladio Santana | KO | 2 (10), 0:46 | Dec 14, 1983 | Roberto Clemente Coliseum, San Juan, Puerto Rico | |
41 | Win | 39–1–1 | Iván Samuco | TKO | 3 (10), 1:45 | Apr 23, 1983 | Juan Pachín Vicéns Coliseum, Ponce, Puerto Rico
|
|
40 | Win | 38–1–1 | Lupe Pintor | TKO | 14 (15), 2:44 | Dec 3, 1982 | New Orleans, Louisiana , USA
|
Retained WBC and The Ring super bantamweight titles |
39 | Win | 37–1–1 | Roberto Rubaldino | RTD | 7 (15), 3:00 | Aug 18, 1982 | Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan, Puerto Rico | Retained WBC and The Ring super bantamweight titles |
38 | Win | 36–1–1 | Juan Antonio López | TKO | 10 (15), 1:02 | Jun 11, 1982 | Caesars Palace, Las Vegas Valley, Nevada, USA | Retained WBC and The Ring super bantamweight titles |
37 | Win | 35–1–1 | Juan Meza | TKO | 6 (15), 2:28 | Mar 27, 1982 | Playboy Hotel & Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA | Retained WBC and The Ring super bantamweight titles |
36 | Win | 34–1–1 | José Luis Soto | KO | 2 (10), 2:33 | Feb 20, 1982 | San Juan, Puerto Rico | |
35 | Win | 33–1–1 | José González | TKO | 7 (10) | Jan 9, 1982 | San Juan, Puerto Rico | |
34 | Loss | 32–1–1 | Salvador Sánchez | TKO | 8 (15), 2:09 | Aug 21, 1981 | Caesars Palace, Las Vegas Valley, Nevada, USA | For WBC featherweight title |
33 | Win | 32–0–1 | Raúl Silva | KO | 3 (10), 0:51 | Jun 20, 1981 | San Juan, Puerto Rico | |
32 | Win | 31–0–1 | José Cervantes | KO | 3 (15), 1:50 | Dec 13, 1980 | Miami, Florida , USA
|
Retained WBC and The Ring super bantamweight titles |
31 | Win | 30–0–1 | Derrik Holmes | TKO | 5 (15), 2:29 | Aug 22, 1980 | Caesars Palace, Las Vegas Valley, Nevada, USA | Retained WBC and The Ring super bantamweight titles |
30 | Win | 29–0–1 | Eddie Ndukwu | TKO | 4 (12), 1:58 | Apr 27, 1980 | Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan, Puerto Rico | |
29 | Win | 28–0–1 | Rubén Valdéz | RTD | 6 (15), 3:00 | Feb 3, 1980 | Caesars Palace, Las Vegas Valley, Nevada, USA | Retained WBC and The Ring super bantamweight titles |
28 | Win | 27–0–1 | Nicky Pérez | TKO | 5 (15), 3:00 | Oct 26, 1979 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, USA | Retained WBC and The Ring super bantamweight titles |
27 | Win | 26–0–1 | Carlos Mendoza | TKO | 10 (15), 2:29 | Sep 28, 1979 | Caesars Palace, Las Vegas Valley, Nevada, USA | Retained WBC and The Ring super bantamweight titles |
26 | Win | 25–0–1 | Julio Hernández | TKO | 5 (15), 2:15 | Jun 16, 1979 | Roberto Clemente Coliseum, San Juan, Puerto Rico | Retained WBC and The Ring super bantamweight titles |
25 | Win | 24–0–1 | Nelson Cruz Tamariz | KO | 2 (10), 1:10 | May 21, 1979 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, USA | |
24 | Win | 23–0–1 | Néstor Carlos Jiménez | KO | 5 (15), 2:51 | Mar 9, 1979 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, USA | Retained WBC super bantamweight title; Won inaugural The Ring super bantamweight title |
23 | Win | 22–0–1 | Carlos Zárate | TKO | 5 (15), 0:44 | Oct 28, 1978 | Roberto Clemente Coliseum, San Juan, Puerto Rico | Retained WBC super bantamweight title |
22 | Win | 21–0–1 | Leonardo Cruz
|
TKO | 13 (15), 0:21 | Sep 9, 1978 | Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan, Puerto Rico | Retained WBC super bantamweight title |
21 | Win | 20–0–1 | Sakad Petchyindee | TKO | 3 (15), 2:32 | Jun 2, 1978 | Main Stadium, Korat, Thailand | Retained WBC super bantamweight title |
20 | Win | 19–0–1 | Juan Antonio López | TKO | 7 (15), 2:41 | Apr 8, 1978 | Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium, Bayamón, Puerto Rico | Retained WBC super bantamweight title |
19 | Win | 18–0–1 | Royal Kobayashi | KO | 3 (15), 1:26 | Jan 19, 1978 | Retained WBC super bantamweight title | |
18 | Win | 17–0–1 | Raúl Tirado | TKO | 5 (15), 2:59 | Jul 11, 1977 | Roberto Clemente Coliseum, San Juan, Puerto Rico | Retained WBC super bantamweight title |
17 | Win | 16–0–1 | Dong-Kyun Yum
|
KO | 12 (15), 2:40 | May 21, 1977 | Roberto Clemente Coliseum, San Juan, Puerto Rico | Won WBC super bantamweight title |
16 | Win | 15–0–1 | John Meza | KO | 2 (10), 2:59 | Feb 12, 1977 | Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium, Bayamón, Puerto Rico | |
15 | Win | 14–0–1 | José Murillo Medel | KO | 4 (12), 2:45 | Oct 11, 1976 | San Juan, Puerto Rico | |
14 | Win | 13–0–1 | Tony Rocha | KO | 2 (10) | Aug 16, 1976 | San Juan, Puerto Rico | |
13 | Win | 12–0–1 | Alberto Dávila | TKO | 9 (10) | Jul 19, 1976 | San Juan, Puerto Rico | |
12 | Win | 11–0–1 | Sak Lempthong | TKO | 3 (10) | May 8, 1976 | Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium, Bayamón, Puerto Rico | |
11 | Win | 10–0–1 | Ric Quijano | KO | 1 (10) | Apr 4, 1976 | Roberto Clemente Coliseum, San Juan, Puerto Rico | |
10 | Win | 9–0–1 | Cornell Hall | KO | 3 (8) | Feb 20, 1976 | Roberto Clemente Coliseum, San Juan, Puerto Rico | |
9 | Win | 8–0–1 | Andres Hernández | TKO | 8 (10) | Dec 20, 1975 | Roberto Clemente Coliseum, San Juan, Puerto Rico | |
8 | Win | 7–0–1 | Joe Guevara | KO | 6 (8) | Sep 19, 1975 | San Juan, Puerto Rico | |
7 | Win | 6–0–1 | Cleo García | KO | 3 (8) | Aug 2, 1975 | Roberto Clemente Stadium, Managua, Nicaragua
|
|
6 | Win | 5–0–1 | Jacinto Fuentes | KO | 2 (8), 1:58 | Jun 21, 1975 | Gimnasio Nuevo Panama, Panama City, Panama
|
|
5 | Win | 4–0–1 | Jose Jiménez | KO | 1 (6) | May 3, 1975 | Gimnasio Nuevo Panama, Panama City, Panama
|
|
4 | Win | 3–0–1 | Antonio Da Silva | KO | 2 (8), 2:40 | Mar 2, 1975 | Gimnasio Nuevo Panama, Panama City, Panama
|
|
3 | Win | 2–0–1 | Jorge Bernal | TKO | 1 (8), 2:28 | Feb 15, 1975 | Gimnasio Nuevo Panama, Panama City, Panama
|
|
2 | Win | 1–0–1 | Mario Hernández | TKO | 1 (6), 2:58 | Dec 21, 1974 | Plaza de Toros El Zapote, San José, Costa Rica | |
1 | Draw | 0–0–1 | Jacinto Fuentes | MD | 6 | Nov 16, 1974 | Gimnasio Nuevo Panama, Panama City, Panama
|
See also
- List of super bantamweight boxing champions
- List of featherweight boxing champions
- List of super featherweight boxing champions
- List of WBA world champions
- List of WBC world champions
- List of boxing triple champions
- List of Puerto Rican boxing world champions
- Sports in Puerto Rico
References
- ^ "Boxing record for Wilfredo Gómez". BoxRec.
- ^ "Wilfredo Gomez". ibhof.com. International Boxing Hall of Fame. Retrieved 23 May 2015.
- ^ a b No radicarán cargos contra exboxeador Wilfredo Gómez, El Nuevo Día (2015-04-18). Retrieved on 2017-07-14.
- ^ Sánchez, José A. (November 25, 2012). "Entre leyendas Macho Camacho". El Nuevo Día.
- About.com. Retrieved 2017-12-15.
- ^ a b c Michael Klimes (2007-05-16). "Wilfredo 'Bazooka' Gomez, Part 1". East Side Boxing. Retrieved 2007-09-17.
- ^ a b "Wilfredo Gomez". International Boxing Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on 2007-08-16. 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. Retrieved 2007-09-18.
- ^ "Wilfredo Gómez – Lineal Jr. Featherweight Champion". The Cyber Boxing Zone Encyclopedia.
- ^ Sagat Petchyindee. Siamfightmag.com. Retrieved on 2017-07-14.
- ^ "Wilfredo Gomez vs. Sakad Petchyindee - BoxRec".
- ^ Lee Groves (2007-02-28). "Vazquez-Marquez May Add to a Tremendous Tradition". Max Boxing. Archived from the original on 2007-11-09. Retrieved 2007-09-18.
- ^ a b YouTube. YouTube. Retrieved on 2017-07-14.
- ^ a b c d Michael Klimes (2007-05-17). "Wilfredo 'Bazooka' Gomez, Part II". East Side Boxing. Retrieved 2007-09-18.
- ^ Andrés Pascual (2006-10-20). "El récord impresionante de Wilfredo Gómez en las 122 libras". Diario Las Americas. Archived from the original on 2007-11-08. Retrieved 2007-09-25.
- ^ Nelson wins title. Nytimes.com (1984-12-10). Retrieved on 2017-07-14.
- ^ "Wilfredo Gómez – Lineal Jr. Lightweight Champion". The Cyber Boxing Zone Encyclopedia.
- ^ 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. Retrieved 2007-09-25.
- ^ Jason Gonzalez (2006-02-21). "Q&A: Wilfredo Gomez!". Fightnews.com. Archived from the original on 2007-11-09. Retrieved 2007-09-18.
- ^ Gustavo Ampudia (2003-05-18). "¡Mil gracias, mi Panamá!" (in Spanish). La Prensa. Retrieved 2007-09-18.
- ^ Robert Dominguez (2003-09-25). "A Boxer's Saga, Blow By Blow". The Puerto Rico Herald. Retrieved 2007-09-18.
- ^ "Bazooka: The Battles of Wilfredo Gómez". Internet Movie Data Base. 24 September 2003. Retrieved 2007-09-18.
- ^ Scoop Malinowski. "Boxing Legend Biofile: Wilfredo Gomez". Boxing Insider. Archived from the original on 2007-11-08. Retrieved 2007-09-25.
- ^ "Boxing in Japan | Japan Experience". www.japan-experience.com.
- ^ VIOLENCIA DOMESTICA: – Archivo Digital de Noticias de Colombia y el Mundo desde 1.990. eltiempo.com (1994-06-22). Retrieved on 2017-07-14.
- ^ SMASH-HIT GOMEZ FITS THE BILL. The Mirror. London, England. (February 12, 2000)
- ISBN 9781785311154.
- ^ "Hospitalizan al exboxeador Wilfredo Gómez". El Nuevo Día. May 22, 2018.
- ^ ""Nadie tenía acceso a él": Luvi Calleja señala que pareja de Wilfredo Gómez lo aisló de sus seres queridos y amistades". 3 March 2022.
- ^ "WILFREDO GOMEZ QUIERE QUEDARSE CON SU ESPOSA Y NO CON SU HIJO" – via www.youtube.com.
- ^ "Inauguran bulevar del deporte en Guaynabo". Primera Hora. February 18, 2011.
- ^ "Google Earth". earth.google.com.
- ^ Mario Gonzalez. BoxRec. Retrieved on 2017-07-14.
External links
- Boxing record for Wilfredo Gómez from BoxRec (registration required)
- IBHOF.com, Wilfredo Gómez Biography at the International Boxing Hall of Fame Website
- Oneeyedfilms.com, "Bazooka: The Battles of Wilfredo Gómez"
- Wilfredo Gómez – CBZ Profile
Sporting positions | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
World boxing titles | ||||
Preceded by Yum Dong-Kyun |
WBC super bantamweight champion May 21, 1977 – May 26, 1983 Vacated |
Vacant Title next held by Jaime Garza
| ||
Inaugural champion | The Ring super bantamweight champion March 9, 1979 – May 1983 Vacated |
Vacant Title next held by Paulie Ayala
| ||
Preceded by | WBC featherweight champion March 31, 1984 – December 8, 1984 |
Succeeded by | ||
Preceded by | WBA super featherweight champion May 19, 1985 – May 24, 1986 |
Succeeded by | ||
The Ring super featherweight champion May 19, 1985 – May 24, 1986 |