Gomez wants Khan...

G-man · Post by **G-man** » 11 Apr 2007, 08:42

Gomez goes gunning for Amir

11/ 4/2007

MICHAEL Gomez is back - and he wants a showdown with Amir Khan.

The former British super-featherweight champion is set to return to the ring on May 6 when he will face serial loser Carl Allen at Altrincham Lesiure Centre.

But Gomez wants to be back in the title mix by the end of the year. And, though he intends to boil back down to his old 9st 4lbs, Gomez says he would leap at a chance to fight rising star Khan.

"I can't see it happening, though because Khan's promoter allegedly is a very clever man," says the 29-year-old Irish-born Mancunian. "Frank won't make the same mistake twice after putting another of his up-and-coming stars, Alex Arthur, in with me in 2003."

On that occasion, Gomez was again on the comeback trail after a damaging defeat by Kevin Lear for the WBU title, but produced the performance of his life to stop Edinburgh ace Arthur in his own backyard.

And he says he would do the same to Bolton lad Khan.

Competitive

Said Gomez: "He is in the papers talking about a fight with British lightweight champion Jon Thaxton, but he hasn't even had a competitive fight yet. He beat Steffy Bull last weekend, a fighter I knocked out in the amateurs in two rounds and who has got worse since then.

"I would be a big name for Khan to fight, and we could put it on in Manchester, the country's fight capital, instead of sending Khan off to fight in Wales or Scotland."

Gomez retired from the ring in the fifth round of his fight for the vacant Irish lightweight title with Peter McDonagh in January of last year.

It was reminiscent of Roberto Duran's famous `no mas' moment against Sugar Ray Leonard, as Gomez simply dropped his hands, turned his back and walked away from McDonagh.

The incident was scrutinised by the Boxing Union of Ireland after dark rumours of a betting coup. But Gomez strongly proclaimed his innocence, and the bookmaker involved said that nothing untoward had happened. Gomez later told M.E.N. Sport that he had simply had enough.

Now he says he is ready to hit the comeback trail, has been working with Stalybridge trainer Bobby Rimmer, and will be promoted in Altrincham by Salford man Steve Wood.

"I feel invigorated as a fighter," said Gomez, who brightened up British boxing in the late 1990s with his aggressive style and sombrero-wearing fans.

"We offered McDonagh my first fight back but he doesn't want it. I even said he could have all the money apart from my £1,000 trainer's fee, but it seems he would rather retire than get in with me again.

"I know this really is my last chance and this time I want to go out on a high, which means fighting for British or Commonwealth titles by the end of the year."

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/ ... _amir.html

Wales · Post by **Wales** » 11 Apr 2007, 08:56

Couldnt see Frank letting Khan anywhere near Gomez after what he did to Arthur in Scotland

Mukel · Post by **Mukel** » 11 Apr 2007, 09:23

I never have rated Gomez, shocked as hell when he beat Arthur,
I wouldnt expect him to do it again, and i wouldnt expect him to beat Kahn, even at this early stage of his career.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 11 Apr 2007, 09:50

Gomez looked shot as hell in his last fight, I don't think he would beat Khan at this stage of his career.

overhand_right · Post by **overhand_right** » 11 Apr 2007, 10:15

Then lets get it on!!!

The Alex Arthur upset gives it a nice angle, and Gomez knows a lot more than any of the 12..... erm.... 'opponents' i'll charitably refer to them as, that Khan has beaten up so far.

Manos de Oro · Post by **Manos de Oro** » 11 Apr 2007, 11:01

Khan's current confidence behind his speed, big crowd experience and variety would give a ring-rusty Gomez nightmares.

Gomez is too weathered to drag him down like he would have done years ago, though he could still chin him with a single shot.

Sounds like he's jumping on the payday bandwagon with an under-the-surface hope of really doing it.

slapbangwhallop · Post by **slapbangwhallop** » 11 Apr 2007, 19:32

Gomez disgusts me - no mention of the outrage against McDonagh!!!

Cannibal · Post by **Cannibal** » 11 Apr 2007, 20:21

I think this is a perfect fight for Amir.

While Gomez may well be past his best, it's something ITV and SN can sell and would give a much better indication of how Amir is progressing than if he was to knock over another stiff.

I'm sure Gomez would take the fight on the cheap as well, so unless he catches Khan with a peach, it's win-win for Frank, money and kudos.

Wales · Post by **Wales** » 12 Apr 2007, 04:25

sligobhoy67 wrote:Gomez disgusts me - no mention of the outrage against McDonagh!!!

They tried to get mcDonagh as his first fight back.

Max Molyneux · Post by **Max Molyneux** » 12 Apr 2007, 08:50

Gomez wants to boil back down to 9st 4!

Fighters need to be taught not to be stupid about their weights.

slapbangwhallop · Post by **slapbangwhallop** » 13 Apr 2007, 15:49

Max Molyneux wrote:Gomez wants to boil back down to 9st 4!

Fighters need to be taught not to be stupid about their weights.

Gomez would problem through this fight again - or wait until the round that his family put money of Amir to get a stoppage