The Top 100 Greatest Boxers Pound per Pound of All-Time

[Ambling Alp II]

Next to Wilfred Benitez of course.

[elmersalsa]

"The Battle of San Juan" got underway between the Island of Puerto Rico's most beloved champions.

Wilfredo "Bazooka" Gomez, Puerto Rico's #1 fighter since 1978, is looking to become champion again at featherweight of his countryman Juan La Porte's WBC World Featherweight Crown.

Twelve thousand expectators came to see the fight. It was an electric night in the San Juan night. A divided house rooting for their own favorite.

Gomez as always attacked the champion La Porte with extreme fury. The lefts and rights were all going into LaPorte's face. LaPorte counter attacked, but Gomez slick movements made him miss. Gomez clearly won the first three rounds. No doubt about that.

In round 4 is where La Porte realizes that he's slipping his crown away from him. And round 4 was a good round where both men were exchanging blows in the middle of the ring. The crowd roared wildly by every punch thrown.

Round #5 and it looked like the tide changed to La Porte. He connected some wicked shots that had Gomez oozy for a couple of times. La Porte was in stride.

But, after that, starting in round 6, it was all Gomez's. His experience and better technical approach to boxing was the key. He dominated the champion at will.

La Porte came back in round 11 after a tiring Gomez but it was too late. He doesn't have the punch to put somebody away for those rounds. The crowd roared wildly and knew who was the real winner and Puerto Rico's finest fighter. After the last second of round 12, Gomez and the crowd knew who was the new king.

Gomez won comfortably by unanimous decision. It was one of his most finest performances. He really looked great in this fight. He hit the champion at will. The last time he looked this dominant was probably against the great Carlos Zarate of Mexico in 1978.

The winner by unanimous decision and new WBC World Featherweight Champion! Wilfredo "Bazooka" Gomez!

Gomez improves to 41-1-1 with 40KOs. It was the first time that Gomez, in the pro ranks, wins a fight by decision. Only three men didn't get stopped by him in his career. Well, may I say two. Because in the rematch with Jacinto Fuentes of Panama in 1975, Gomez stopped Fuentes by knockout. So, only two fighters up to date have never been stopped by Bazooka. And both of them were featherweights: Salvador Sanchez and now LaPorte.

As for iron-chinned LaPorte, he tried many other times to become world champion, but with no luck on his side. He lost to eleven world champions in his career. He was only stopped once in 57 fights.

[elmersalsa]

Next to Wilfred Benitez of course.

You ask the majority of people from Puerto Rico who was their greatest fighter and the majority would say erroneously Felix "Tito" Trinidad.

Maybe because the overrated Trinidad was much more recent and gave the Island of Puerto Rico lots of thrills in the 90s decade.

But, to me, Wilfredo "Bazooka" Gomez is the greatest boxer pound per pound that ever came out of the Island of Puerto Rico.

I have rated them like this:
1. Wilfredo Gomez
2. Carlos Ortiz
3. Wilfred Benitez
4. Felix "Tito" Trinidad
5. Miguel Cotto
6. Hector "Macho" Camacho
7. Esteban De Jesus
8. Wilfredo Vazquez
9. Sixto Escobar
10. Edwin "Chapo" Rosario

[elmersalsa]

For the fight, Juan La Porte, 24, received a sum of $525,750 dollars! The largest pay day of his career.

Wilfredo "Bazooka" Gomez, 27, received $175,250 dollars.

Next for Bazooka is a mandatory title defense against rising star Azumah Nelson of Ghana? Or maybe an unification title match against the great WBA World Featherweight Champion Eusebio Pedroza of Panama?

[Jaywheel]

What will it be?????

[elmersalsa]

Hello, folks!

Once again, I am back in chronicling the days of the top 100 greatest boxers that ever graced in boxing history.

And speaking of great fighters, Wilfredo "Bazooka" Gomez of Puerto Rico was a great champion. His win over champion and countryman Juan LaPorte to take the WBC World Featherweight Crown was a fantastic display of courage and performance. It was probably his last dominant performance of his career.

Now, that Bazooka is champion at 126lbs, what's next for him? There's WBA World Featherweight Champion Eusebio Pedroza of Panama for a title unification. That could be a very lucrative match. What are Bazooka's options?

Well, formidable and fantastic boxer from Accra, Ghana, Azumah Nelson is waiting on the wings for another title shot. And he's rightfully the #1 contender. That could be another lucrative match for Bazooka.

Or how about a match against his countryman Hector "Macho" Camacho for Camacho's WBC World Super Featherweight Crown? I guess that we're asking too much, right?

Well, at this stage of his career, and at 28 years old, Gomez is still young. But, he had been in a lot of great classic wars recently. That could be taking a toll on him.

Even though that 28 is still young in boxing, the champion is looking for opportunities and options to make great money and fortune. He has already proved that he's a great champion. He knows his worth. But, with the great Salvador Sanchez that is gone, the money is not the same. But, there are lucrative matches as mentioned before.

Well, Bazooka decided to defend his WBC World Featherweight Crown against rising star Azumah Nelson. The #1 deserving contender.

[elmersalsa]

On Saturday night of December 8, 1984, Wilfredo
"Bazooka" Gomez of Puerto Rico is defending his WBC World Featherweight Crown against rising star and #1 contender Azumah Nelson of Ghana.

The fight is set at the Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Now, let's look at Nelson's resume and how he got here as the #1 contender of the Featherweight throne.

Nelson came into our consciousness on the night of Wednesday, July 21, 1982 at Madison Square Garden in New York City as a substitute to fight for the WBC World Featherweight Crown held by the magnificent Salvador Sanchez of Mexico.

It was a memorable fight of a memorable decade of great fights. It was a classic war of attrition. One of the greatest featherweight title bouts of all time. It was Sanchez's last fight at tender age of 23.

The next month, on August 12, Sanchez dies in a car accident.

Even though, Nelson gave Sanchez hell and all he could handle, the inexperience in that fight was the factor that doomed Nelson at 24 years of age at that time.

Nelson lost by technical knockout in the last round. It was a brutal affair of 15 rounds. But, even though Nelson lost that heartbreaking battle, the fans and the boxing media present at Madison Square Garden saw his potential. Nelson didn't had nothing to be ashamed of that night. He gave an absolute great performance. He lost to a true all-time pound per pound great and future hall of famer. Hats off to him. And to top it off, Nelson that night with Sanchez only had 13 fights as a professional. Sanchez had 46 professional bouts.

Before fighting Sanchez for the title, Nelson was champion already in some stages of competition at early age. In his 3rd pro fight, Nelson was Ghana's Featherweight Champion. In his 6th professional match, Nelson became African Continent Featherweight Champion. And in his 10th professional bout, Nelson became the British Empire Commonwealth Featherweight Champion. That's a great piece of resume for a young man. He came to fight for Sanchez's crown with a 12-0, 10KOs record.

After losing to Sanchez, Nelson gained experience and more wins after that. He won 6 straight bouts, including against top contender and undefeated rising star Irving Mitchell of San Diego, CA.

Now, this time, Nelson got a record of 19-1, with 14 knockouts. He is ready for the big fight of his life.

[elmersalsa]

At age 26, Azumah Nelson got a title shot against one of the greatest boxers pound per pound of all-time.

Definitely, Wilfredo "Bazooka" Gomez is a top 100 all time pound per pound great. We don't have to argue about his extraordinary resume.

The fight is on and Bazooka, for the first time in his career, is fighting backing up. Nelson intimidated him immediately.

Usually in the fight, is Wilfredo using his upper body strength against his opponents and backing them up to the ropes. But, at featherweight, the guys are stronger. If Salvador Sanchez was strong when he met Gomez, then Nelson was stronger. Nelson was chiseled and cut. Too strong like an ox. Nelson was in great shape. And it showed.

Bazooka was connecting great combinations to Nelson's anatomy. But it was like he was hitting a rock. Plus, this Nelson this time was much more experienced than in the Sanchez's fight. He looked, calmed, cool and relaxed. He knew how to pace himself and threw some wicked and fast combinations.

Wilfredo felt them. And hard. By round 6, Gomez was spent. It was just a matter of time for Nelson to get him out of there. Gomez, unlike brave and valiant like all his fights, was not going to give the crown that easy. The fans at Hiram Bithorn Stadium were urging him on. But his legs were betraying him each round.

It was like if he was fighting Sanchez again. His face was a mess. After the seventh round, Nelson was giving Bazooka the business. He was pummeling Wilfredo with lefts and rights. Nelson looked like a complete fighter. He could do it all that night.

By round 10th, Bazooka was spent. But the warrior's heart was there. His courage was there. You got to kill him to take his title.

Well, Nelson murdered him. In round 11th, he caught a tiring Gomez with lefts and rights. Gomez went down more because of exhaustion than being out. The crowd in the stadium, his fans, were worried. It was just a matter of time for the title to change hands.

And bam! Another wicked left sent Gomez reeling and both knees were in the ground like if he was praying for mercy. This time, Gomez is not rising up. He was out!

The referee counted to ten and there's a new WBC World Featherweight Champion, and his name is Azumah Nelson of Ghana.

Nelson at 26, wins by knockout in 11 rounds. He improved to 20-1, with 15 knockouts in an exhiriling performance.

It was the second loss of the great Wilfredo Gomez. A painful one in front of his fans in his Island of Puerto Rico.

Gomez drops to 41-2-1, with 40 knockouts.

But the night under a full moon belonged to Azumah Nelson. Who later became an all time pound per pound great and top 100 greatest boxers ever.

[elmersalsa]

Now that he's an ex-champion again, now what? It was the first time in Wilfredo Gomez's career that someone has ever taken the title from him.

At 122lbs, the super bantamweight division, Bazooka was invincible. He had 18 title fights and 17 title defenses. He won them all.....by knockout!

But, at featherweight, it was a different story. He was fighting bigger and stronger guys. His punches weren't hurting nobody at 126lbs that was really good. Salvador Sanchez, Juan LaPorte and Azumah Nelson were great featherweight division boxers. All 3 of them had great chins. Hard-rocking chins!

At 28, his career is on hold. What's next for him? Maybe try to challenge WBA World Featherweight Champion Eusebio Pedroza of Panama this time around. Is it farfetched? Nope. Can he win? Not sure. Pedroza would be the favorite. And an understandable one.

How about a rematch with the great Azumah Nelson of Ghana? The man that took his title? Well, he would have to go through all the pain and struggles again. But, even if he trains harder, he is not beating Nelson. Nelson probably would beat him up much quicker.

So, how about trying to get a third world championship for himself and the Island of Puerto Rico? It would not be a bad idea.

[elmersalsa]

Looking for further glory, and to become the eight fighter in boxing history to win 3 titles in 3 different weight classes gave the Great Wilfredo "Bazooka" Gomez THE MOTIVATION to fight again for glory.

As for default, he couldn't make weight for the featherweight division class any longer. So, to enhance his legacy, Gomez got the options to challenge WBC World Super Featherweight Champion, the undefeated and flashy Hector "Macho" Camacho, Gomez's countryman or challenge WBA World Jr Lightweight Champion Rocky Lockridge of McAfee, NJ.

The option was a no-brainer. Lockridge was the better choice than to fight the superstar Macho Man. Gomez knew at the time that he was not in Camacho's world championship level. Maybe, he will challenge Camacho if he beats Lockridge in an unification title match.

Lockridge in 1980 was one of the young American boxers that the American Boxing media wanted to promote to win the featherweight title.

That trend was a plot to establish American boxers as the best in the world in a time that before that, Latin boxers of Latin America were robbing all the headlines below the heavyweight division.

It was so bad that in for example, the year 1976, American Boxing only had 2 world champions in all of boxing weight classes: Muhammad Ali at heavyweight was one. And Danny "Little Red" Lopez was the other champ at featherweight.

But, by 1980, American Boxing came alive in one of their best years American Boxing ever had in a long time. From Jr flyweight to heavyweight, America had improved drastically winning 7 world championships . It was the year that I called "The Year of Gold" for American boxing.

It all started by that famous 1976 USA Olympic Boxing Team that dazzled the world, thanks for the great Amateur Olympic Boxing program. And the star of that Olympic Boxing Team was none the less but the great Sugar Ray Leonard.

It was so celebrated that Leonard for his first professional fight, made $40,000 dollars! Something unheard of in boxing at the time below the heavyweight division.

And even though Leonard was the face of boxing in the early 80s decade, many great fighters won world championships from that inspiration. Those boxers were Hilmer Kenty at lightweight, Leon Randolph at Jr Featherweight, Jeff Chandler at bantamweight, Aaron Pryor at Jr welterweight, Thomas Hearns at welterweight, Marvin Hagler at middleweight, and Eddie Mustapha Muhammad at light-heavyweight.

Lockridge was in those plans for the American Boxing to win a world title. The same was for young guns like Howard Davis, and Derrick Holmes. But, unfortunately, they all lost in title tries. Two of them (Lockridge and Holmes), lost to great Latin boxers that were making headlines in the late 70s decade: Eusebio Pedroza of Panama, the WBA World Featherweight Champion and of course, WBC World Super Bantamweight Champion Wilfredo Gomez from Puerto Rico.

Lockridge lost to Pedroza in a disputed 15-round title fight in October 1980. In the rematch, Lockridge lost again to Pedroza on points in 1983 in Monte Carlo.

But, Lockridge didn't give up, and in February of 1984 stopped undefeated Roger Mayweather of Ann Arbor, MI by knockout in the very first round.

Mayweather becomes WBA World Jr Lightweight Champion.

It was guts, will and determination for Lockridge in believing in himself that one day, he would become a world champion.

Since winning the title, Lockridge has defended it successfully twice. And since losing to Pedroza in the rematch, Lockridge was in seven-fight win streak.

So, Lockridge as a confident champion, accepted Gomez's challenge in San Juan, Puerto to defend his crown Sunday, May 15, 1985 at Roberto Clemente Coliseum.

[elmersalsa]

At age 26, young WBA World Jr Lightweight Champion Rocky Lockridge of Tacoma, WA via McAfee, NJ travelled to San Juan, Puerto Rico to defend his crown against the legendary and fading great Wilfredo "Bazooka" Gomez.

Gomez, 28, Puerto Rico's favorite son, came eager to take the crown from Lockridge. A win this afternoon of Sunday, May 19, 1985 and he becomes the island's second triple crown world champion of 3 different weight classes and the ninth champion to do it. The triple crown champions that did it before him at the time were Bob Fitzsimmons (England), Tony Canzoneri (USA), Barney Ross (USA), Henry Armstrong (USA), Emile Griffith (US Virgin Islands), Wilfred Benitez (Puerto Rico), Alexis Arguello (Nicaragua) and Roberto Duran (Panama).

Lockridge entered the ring confidently with a sensational record of 36-3, with 30 knockouts. So the champion can hit! He only lost to two men so far in his career to Eusebio Pedroza of Panama twice by decision in title fights and to Juan La Porte of Puerto Rico by knockout in 2 rounds in a ten-rounder.

Gomez, the crowd favorite, at 28 had a record of 41-2-1 with 40 knockouts. It was evident that at higher weight classes, he could not hurt bigger men. But, he had the skills to at least unseat the champion by decision.

It was a struggle from start to finish. Gomez started well. But, at some point in the fight around the fifth round, he started to wilt. His punches weren't hurting nor overwhelming the champion.

From rounds 4 to 10, Lockridge was in complete control giving Gomez some crisp punches. But, somehow, and someway, Gomez was still standing. He has a heart of a lion.

But, something strange happened to Lockridge in round 11. It looked like he stopped punching all of the sudden. Was he tired? Gomez started to punch and win some rounds ever since and the local crowd was ecstatic. Their hero is giving at least a great fight. He is going to give it his all. And that's what they wanted to see. But, it looked like their champion had the opportunity and chance to win after turning the tide. They kept exhorting their champion on.

Lockridge came back to himself in round 14. He hit Gomez again at will. But Bazooka got the heart of a lion.

Gomez's face was a mess. He was getting caught with wicked, crisp and sharp combinations from Lockridge. Gomez was wilting in many times into the fight. At one time, the referee had to call time to tie Gomez's shoe laces. Was that a tactic from Gomez's corner for him to get rest? I don't know.

But, Gomez was doing some serious tactics to survive the fight. Sometimes holding too long to catch a breather. Sometimes the gloves laces were getting lose all of the sudden. Some rounds had to be stopped because of that.

There was no knockdowns in the fight. But, the crisper and harder punches were given by the champion. After the fight was over in the 15th round, the crowd roared. Maybe they believe that Bazooka won the fight. Or they cheered because he was still standing after a brutal struggle.

When the announcement came, it was a stunning win for Gomez. Gomez won the WBA World Jr Lightweight title by majority decision against Lockridge. Lockridge could not believe it. Neither his handlers, headed by Lou Duva. Was it a robbery? Perhaps.

The judges Guy Juthras of Canada scored it 144-144, even. And the two judges from Panama Humberto Figueroa and Marcos Torres scored it 145-144 and 146-142 respectively for Gomez.

I scored it 144-142, for Lockridge

Puerto Rico roared because their favorite son became a triple crown world champion in 3 weight classes.

[elmersalsa]

Did Bazooka really won? I don't think so. I think that the hometown crowd got something about that after seeing that Bazooka was hitting the Rocky Lockridge after round 11.

It was Wilfredo "Bazooka" Gomez last great fight, win or lose. A defining fight for him? Yes, it was. But, did he really won the fight and the title? It was close.

But, in my view of scoring world championship fights, a challenger got to overwhelm the champion. Gomez didn't do that in my judgement.

Gomez improves to 42-2-1, with 40 knockouts.

Lockridge drops to 36-4, with 30 knockouts. All of the losses by these two men were against world champions.

Now as for the two judges from Panama that gave the fight to Gomez, they received heavy criticism from the American Boxing media. It was clear that Lockridge won the fight. And that he should have still kept his title.

The WBA sanctioning body was accused by some, that since the WBA got heavy ties with the country of Panama, and Panama WBA headquarters were presiding its location before Venezuela, that #1 contender from Panama, who also fought in the undercard of that fight, Alfredo Layne, received his title shot against aging Bazooka than instead of Lockridge.

Could that be of why Gomez got the gift decision? Corruption sometimes comes in different levels and places. I will not be surprised.

[elmersalsa]

It was OBVIOUS that Wilfredo "Bazooka" Gomez's skills were deteriorating by age 29. The age of 29 is still young in boxing, but some boxers reach their climax.

Add also the ring wars and amount of fights of wear and tear, and it takes a toll on a fighter. The same could be said for Gomez.

This is an all time pound per pound great without hesitation. After 22 world title bouts in 3 different weight classes, Gomez look spent.

He can't knockout anybody good to save his life at 8 pounds above his best weight. No matter how hard he hits at Jr Lightweight, the men at the division take his punches like if a mosquito were bothering their sight. It was them telling him like "That's all you got?. I thought that you hit harder with all that reputation of a KO artist you had at super Bantamweight!"


Gomez spent the whole year 1985 waiting for options of a big money fight. But, it was like he couldn't find any fight of the $500,000 dollars and above he is searching for.

Eusebio Pedroza of Panama was dethroned of his WBA World Featherweight Crown against Barry McGuigan in London, England in June 1985. In an interview, Bazooka said that he will give Pedroza a title shot for his WBA World Jr Lightweight crown. It never happened. It didn't materialized.

Then, a dream fight against country man, WBC World Lightweight Champion, the dazzling and undefeated Hector "Macho" Camacho could also be a big money fight. It would be an opportunity for Gomez for glory and money to try to become the only man to date to capture 4 world crowns in 4 different weight classes. It would be a feast in San Juan, Puerto Rico. We could imagine the betting houses for that one mega fight.

Unfortunately, I don't the reason why it didn't happened. Gomez didn't had not even a tune up fight after taking the crown from Rocky Lockridge in May 1985.

Is he ducking #1 contender Alfredo Layne of Panama? What is going on in Bazooka's mind?

[elmersalsa]

And now, who is Alfredo Layne of Panama? Layne is the #1 contender for the WBA World Jr Lightweight title that Wilfredo "Bazooka" Gomez of Puerto Rico is holding.

He stopped Gomez's countryman Tomas Rodriguez in the undercard of Gomez's controversial title winning effort against Rocky Lockridge of Tacoma, WA in May 1985. Layne stopped Rodriguez in 9 rounds and got the #1 contender spot for Bazooka's title.

Nicknamed "El Preciso" (Precise), Layne was a tall and slender black boxer with a wallop punch. He was very strong and could take a punch. He was also very determined. Very courageous. That's about it.

Since June of 1983, Layne has won 6 of his last 7 fights. All of his wins were by knockout.

Layne has not beaten anybody of note. He had a mediocre record of 19-5, with 11 knockouts. He only had one loss by knockout. He was stopped by Kamel Bou Ali of Tunisia in six rounds. And who is Bout Ali? We never knew. At least I didn't.

After that KO loss, then Layne rebounded by stopping Rodriguez. And that's how he became the #1 contender. Very strange.

Layne was not even considered as the best Jr Lightweight boxer of his own country. The countrymen that beat him, Aquilino Asprilla and Rafael Williams, were considered in the country better fighters than he.

But, with determination and faith, Preciso finally got a title shot at the age of 26. He started his career in 1981.

Arrogantly, at one time he told the Panamanian boxing press that he is already the world champion. That all he got to do was to show it. At least he got a lot of confidence.

[elmersalsa]

Wilfredo "Bazooka" Gomez looked like he ran out of options. He didn't fight a single bout since winning the crown in May 1985. Not even a tune up fight.

Why he spent all that time without a fight for a whole year? I don't know. Maybe he is not hungry anymore. The fame and fortune got to him. He is the island of Puerto Rico favorite son. The greatest boxer that ever happened from that talented island of great boxers.

In my opinion, he was better than the greats Carlos Ortiz and Wilfred Benitez, two all time pound per pound greats that should be included in any top 100 pound per pound list.

He was better than Hector "Macho" Camacho, Esteban De Jesus, Edwin"Chapo" Rosario, Sixto Escobar and Felix "Tito"Trinidad to name others.

Especially at 122lbs where he made his mark as the best ever that ever graced in that division, Gomez at 29 finally accepts the challenge of Alfredo "Preciso" Layne of Panama. Was he ducking Layne al year long? Or he just didn't want anything to do with boxing anymore?

On Saturday night of May 24, 1986 in Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Gomez defends his WBA World Jr Lightweight title against the Panamanian.

From the get go, it looked like the weight class was too big for Gomez's frame. But, like always, he will try to give his fans at the stadium, everything he got.

Layne in the other hand looked ready and fit. Very muscular. He looks like if he's in great shape for the fight of his life. To become world champion. If he wasn't getting up for what was at stake in fighting one of the best fighters of the last 40 years, then, I don't what could.

Round one began and Layne hit Bazooka at will at the last minute of the round. He looked sharp and precise like his nickname says.

But Gomez's warriors heart and instincts are always there. One thing about this all time great, was that he was a warrior of any sense of the word. He got the heart of a lion.

And with the heart of a lion, Gomez was hitting Layne with crisp combinations. He dominated from round two to seven. The crowd roared wildly. They see that their champion is fighting like he always does. To give Puerto Rico the very best of his performance.

Since 1983, Bazooka has fought in front of his countrymen in Puerto Rico six straight times!

But, the punches were not hurting Layne. At least, it wasn't shaking him. At one round, the sixth, Gomez hit Layne with everything but the kitchen sink. Layne was hurt or playing possum. The thing was that he was getting beat. If it were at 122lbs, Layne probably would have been stopped.

In round 8, Layne played possum and rocked Gomez with two rights. Gomez went down to the canvas. The hometown crowd was in disbelief. In disbelief because they couldn't picture their champion being dropped by any ordinary fighter. But, Layne proved that he was not ordinary. He was proving that he was indeed the #1 contender. That no matter what his record says, don't let it fool you.

Gomez was saved by the bell in round 8. Tired and spent and also on queer street, he should have never come out to fight in the 9th round. But because the kind of warrior he was, he didn't want the fight to be stopped in the corner. If he was going to lose by stoppage, then Layne would have to kill him.

And that's what Layne did at the beginning of the 9th. Two more lefts and rights and Gomez, Puerto Rico's greatest, is down again. The referee, Stanley Kristodolou, saw enough. He didn't even count. He just simply stopped it and finished one of boxing's greatest champions ever.

[elmersalsa]

A jubilant Alfredo Layne becomes the new WBA World Jr Lightweight Champion. He stopped one of the all time pound per pound greats, Wilfredo Gomez of Puerto Rico.

Gomez at 29 gave everything he had for 9 rounds. But, it was noticeable that he didn't had it like ten years ago. Or at least 2 years earlier when he dominated his countryman Juan LaPorte.

Layne did as he promised. That he will be become world champion. That all he had to do was to demonstrate it. And he showed it. For the biggest fight of his career, he was brilliant and very courageous. He won the fight by guts and determination.

He improved his record to 20-5, with 12 knockouts. He made two successful travels to Puerto Rico in one year. And both times, he became victorious and holding the title belt. Layne lost his crown to Brian Mitchell of South Africa by technical knockout. He kept fighting until 1988 but with no much more success. He lost more than he can chew, losing six fights in a row and 7 of his last 8 fights.

Gomez finally retires. And he should. He didn't had nothing else to prove. At 30, he said goodbye to boxing. The sport that gave him so many thrills besides money, pleasure and fortune.

He drops to 42-3-1 with 40KOs. He made a boxing career comeback in 1988 and retired for good in 1989.

He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, NY in 1995.

[elmersalsa]

Now, this is the countdown so far:
100. Jersey Joe Walcott
99. Sonny Liston
98. Vicente Saldivar
97. Gene Fullmer
96. Mike Tyson
95. Eusebio Pedroza
94. Benny Lynch
93. Jack Britton
92. Tommy Ryan
91. Mike McCallum
90. James Toney
89. Tiger Flowers
88. Joe Brown
87. Ted "Kid" Lewis
86. Peter Jackson
85. Beau Jack
84. Lennox Lewis
83. Abe Attell
82. Holman Williams
81. Azumah Nelson
80. Erik "El Terrible" Morales
79. Luis Manuel Rodriguez
78. George Dixon
77. Ricardo "Finito" Lopez
76. Manuel Ortiz
75. Marco Antonio Barrera
74. Bob Foster
73. Pancho Villa
72. Jimmy Barry
71. Packey McFarland
70. Miguel Canto
69. Carlos Zarate
68. Wilfred Benitez
67. Carlos Ortiz
66. Jack "Kid" Berg
65. Freddie Miller
64. Battling Battalino
63. Wilfredo Gomez


And now, at #62, from New York City , the fabulous and amazing Fidel La Barba!

[Ambling Alp II]

Did Bazooka really won? I don't think so. I think that the hometown crowd got something about that after seeing that Bazooka was hitting the Rocky Lockridge after round 11.

It was Wilfredo "Bazooka" Gomez last great fight, win or lose. A defining fight for him? Yes, it was. But, did he really won the fight and the title? It was close.

But, in my view of scoring world championship fights, a challenger got to overwhelm the champion. Gomez didn't do that in my judgement.

Gomez improves to 42-2-1, with 40 knockouts.

Lockridge drops to 36-4, with 30 knockouts. All of the losses by these two men were against world champions.

Now as for the two judges from Panama that gave the fight to Gomez, they received heavy criticism from the American Boxing media. It was clear that Lockridge won the fight. And that he should have still kept his title.

The WBA sanctioning body was accused by some, that since the WBA got heavy ties with the country of Panama, and Panama WBA headquarters were presiding its location before Venezuela, that #1 contender from Panama, who also fought in the undercard of that fight, Alfredo Layne, received his title shot against aging Bazooka than instead of Lockridge.

Could that be of why Gomez got the gift decision? Corruption sometimes comes in different levels and places. I will not be surprised.

It was obviously a corrupt decision. Obviously, the win helped Gomez. It really hurt Lockridge. A win over Gomez on his record would make people remember him much more. He would probably be the HOF.

[elmersalsa]

Did Bazooka really won? I don't think so. I think that the hometown crowd got something about that after seeing that Bazooka was hitting the Rocky Lockridge after round 11.

It was Wilfredo "Bazooka" Gomez last great fight, win or lose. A defining fight for him? Yes, it was. But, did he really won the fight and the title? It was close.

But, in my view of scoring world championship fights, a challenger got to overwhelm the champion. Gomez didn't do that in my judgement.

Gomez improves to 42-2-1, with 40 knockouts.

Lockridge drops to 36-4, with 30 knockouts. All of the losses by these two men were against world champions.

Now as for the two judges from Panama that gave the fight to Gomez, they received heavy criticism from the American Boxing media. It was clear that Lockridge won the fight. And that he should have still kept his title.

The WBA sanctioning body was accused by some, that since the WBA got heavy ties with the country of Panama, and Panama WBA headquarters were presiding its location before Venezuela, that #1 contender from Panama, who also fought in the undercard of that fight, Alfredo Layne, received his title shot against aging Bazooka than instead of Lockridge.

Could that be of why Gomez got the gift decision? Corruption sometimes comes in different levels and places. I will not be surprised.

It was obviously a corrupt decision. Obviously, the win helped Gomez. It really hurt Lockridge. A win over Gomez on his record would make people remember him much more. He would probably be the HOF.

I agree. Rocky Lockridge was robbed big time!

[elmersalsa]

#62. Fidel LaBarba
Record: 69-15-7 (4NC), 16KOs
KO Pct is 23.2%
Career: 1924-33
World Titles Held: World Flyweight Champion (1927-28)

Highlights:. Flyweight World Champion that retired undefeated. Did not make a single title defense, but came back to fight at the bigger weight classes...... Olympic Boxing Gold Medalist in 1924 in Paris, France....Lost only 2 of 25 first fights as a professional before becoming boxing world champion (Record was 18-2-2 (2NDs) with 2KOs)....Went unbeaten in 17 straight bouts from April 1927 to March 1929 (Record was 14-0-1, (2NC) with 4KOs)......Lost twice in 23 contests from July 1931 to November 1932. (Record was 21-2, 8KOs).......Beat 6 out of 9 world champions. (Record versus world champions is 10-7-1 with 0KOs)......Beat 5 out of 9 hall of famers. (Record versus Hall of Fame boxers is 6-6-3 0KOs)......Was never stopped in 81 fights.

Historical Impact: Considered by many boxing historians as one of the greatest flyweights and featherweights in boxing history....... Without a doubt, one of the best flyweights of the 1920s decade as well one of the decade's top ten fighters.

Defining Fight: W10 Kid Chocolate (II).... November 3, 1930..."Avenges defeat against hall of fame nemesis"

Other Defining Fights: W10 Frankie Genaro, W10 Elky Clark, W10 Memphis Pal Moore, L15 Kid Chocolate (III) , W10 Bud Taylor , and L15 Battling Battalino

Your thoughts on this great champion.

[Jaywheel]

Para bailar LaBarba

[elmersalsa]

There's hardly any footage on YouTube about Fidel LaBarba. And that's a great damn shame.

By looking at LaBarba's record, he was truly an all-time pound per pound top 100 great fighter.

[elmersalsa]

Now, this is the countdown so far:
100. Jersey Joe Walcott
99. Sonny Liston
98. Vicente Saldivar
97. Gene Fullmer
96. Mike Tyson
95. Eusebio Pedroza
94. Benny Lynch
93. Jack Britton
92. Tommy Ryan
91. Mike McCallum
90. James Toney
89. Tiger Flowers
88. Joe Brown
87. Ted "Kid" Lewis
86. Peter Jackson
85. Beau Jack
84. Lennox Lewis
83. Abe Attell
82. Holman Williams
81. Azumah Nelson
80. Erik "El Terrible" Morales
79. Luis Manuel Rodriguez
78. George Dixon
77. Ricardo "Finito" Lopez
76. Manuel Ortiz
75. Marco Antonio Barrera
74. Bob Foster
73. Pancho Villa
72. Jimmy Barry
71. Packey McFarland
70. Miguel Canto
69. Carlos Zarate
68. Wilfred Benitez
67. Carlos Ortiz
66. Jack "Kid" Berg
65. Freddie Miller
64. Battling Battalino
63. Wilfredo Gomez
62. Fidel LaBarba



And now, at #61, also from New York City , the great Maxie Rosenbloom!

[elmersalsa]

#61. Maxie Rosenbloom
Record: 207-39-26 (27NDs), 19KOs
KO Pct = 9%
Career: 1923-39
World Titles Held: World Light-Heavyweight Champion (1930-34)

Highlights:. Light-hitting Light-heavyweight World Champion that made 7 title defenses.......Lost only twice of his first 39 fights as a professional. (Record was 24-2-5 (8NDs) with 4KOs).... Lost only 3 times in 54 fights from July 1928 to March 1931. (Record was 44-3-2 (5NDs) with 3 knockouts......Won 17 straight bouts from September 1928 to July 1929...... From March 1932 to March 1933, Lost once in 31 contests, winning 17 in a row from September 1932 to March 1933.....Won 18 fights in a row from December 1934 to July 1935.....(Record was 18-0, 2KOs).......Beat 9 out of 12 world champions. (Record versus world champions is 14-10-5 with 1KOs)......Beat 7 out of 10 hall of famers. (Record versus Hall of Fame boxers is 12-9-2 (1ND), with 0KOs)......Stopped only twice in 299 fights!

Historical Impact: Considered by many boxing historians as one of the greatest light-heavyweight boxers in boxing history.......Was nicknamed "Slapsie Maxie" because of lack of knockout punch..... Became a TV and movie actor in Hollywood in later years, resulting of having great popularity among boxing fans.....The best light-heavyweight fighter of the 1930s decade.

Defining Fight: W15 Jimmy Slattery (VI).... June 25, 1930..."Becomes the Undisputed Light-Heavyweight Champion of the World!"

Other Defining Fights: WDQ9 Tiger Flowers, W10 Jimmy Braddock, W15 Mickey Walker , L10 Young Stribbling, L10 John Henry Lewis (II), and W10 John Henry Lewis (III)

Your thoughts on this great champion.

[elmersalsa]

Unfortunately, there's no fight footage of the great Maxie Rosenbloom anywhere. Not even in YouTube.

Well, according to his record, he did very great without the need of a knockout punch. He also must had a hell of a chin to be only stopped twice in 299 bouts!