The dream of every boxing young hopeful is to become a world champion. All those early years of road work, hitting the heavy bag, eating special diets and maintain a great physical health and some other things are required to become a world champion, which is the achievement of greatness.
Wilfredo "Bazooka" Gomez dream finally arrived on Saturday night of May 21, 1977 in front of his hometown fans at the Roberto Clemente Coliseum in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Gomez was just 20 years old and challenging for the WBC World Super Bantamweight Crown held by champion Dom Kyun Yum of South Korea. Yum, 26, who started his career in 1970, came to the tiny island with a record of 50-2-6 with 21 knockouts. A sublime and fantastic record.
He won the crown by unanimous decision defeating former champion Royal Kobayashi of Japan. He already defended his crown winning by decision against Jose "Pambelito" Cervantes of Colombia, who is the brother of WBA World Jr Welterweight Champion Antonio Cervantes.
Confident and brave, Yum was sure to bring the crown to South Korea despite that he was fighting a young shark with an unbeaten record of 15-0-1, with 15 knockouts!
Was Gomez brought to the championship fight too early? With only 16 fights, does he has the necessary experience to fight for a world title?
Puerto Rico is tiny island that has produced sensational and notorious great champions. Some champions of the past by 1977 were Sixto Escobar, their first world boxing champion who became Bantamweight king three times in the 1930s. The other great one was Carlos Ortiz, who was a two-division world champion back in the 1960s. Others were Jose "Chegui" Torres, another champion and future hall of famer turned boxing writer and columnist.
But, the island was enjoying probably their best year in boxing when they had already 4 world champions at one time in the year of 1976. The great Wilfred Benitez, at only 17 years of age, became the youngest boxer to ever win a boxing world championship. He was the current WBA World Jr Welterweight Champion. Alfredo "El Salsero" Escalera, the Salsa Man, was the current WBC World Jr Lightweight Champion. Esteban De Jesus, the first man to ever defeat the great Roberto Duran, was the WBC World Lightweight Champion. And finally, WBA World Jr Lightweight Champion Samuel Serrano.
Gomez, was eager to join them as the 5th champion in 1977. Will he become the 5th champion?
The Top 100 Greatest Boxers Pound per Pound of All-Time
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elmersalsa
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elmersalsa
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Re: The Top 100 Greatest Boxers Pound per Pound of All-Time
A complete jam-packed house at Roberto Clemente Coliseum was waiting and anticipating a great fight, and especially, for their hero, Wilfredo "Bazooka" Gomez to bring Puerto Rico a ninth world boxing championship in the Island's rich boxing history.
The referee for the title bout was American Dick Young of California. It's 15 rounds for the WBC Super Bantamweight Championship of the World.
Dom Kyun Yum, the defending champion, got the edge in experience. He had at the time a total of 58 fights.
Round one starts and there it is, another world boxing championship is under way. Gomez, like always, stalked his opponent with left jabs, with uppercuts and right crosses. The champion Yum was a little bit off and wild by throwing the telling left hook. A left hook that you could see coming from Seoul to San Juan.
In the very first round, Yum dropped Bazooka with that same left hook. The crowd was stunned and couldn't believe that their young hero is already on the canvas. It was the first time in Bazooka's career that he tasted the canvas. Bazooka got up, but still seems that he is queer street. The cobwebs of that shot were still in effect.
The champion charged in a hurry since that he saw that his opponent was badly hurt. How did Bazooka survived the round? I don't know. He survived it. It was a strange knockdown because Yum was not considered by any means a knockout puncher. He only had 21 knockouts in 50 wins and 58 professional fights.
Round two, Gomez went again into the attack, but, by the middle of the round, Yum connected his left hook, and Gomez was hurt again. Yum connected well with terrific shots of lefts and rights. Gomez went back to his corner oozy again. What's going on?
The third round was the same. Gomez attacks, dominated the earlier minutes of the round, and suddenly, Yum connects and starts to dominate the other half of the round. Is experience the factor here?
Yum in my view, won clearly the 3 first rounds. Gomez have to be careful of that left hook of Yum and start to pickup pace and win some rounds. He was already behind by 4 points in the scorecards in my view.
But, Gomez was not going to be denied. If he's going to lose this fight, Yum must have to kill him. Gomez was very determined, even though he got dropping the seat of his pants in the first round, to win this title at all costs. He bravely was the aggressor. Yum was retreating. He was fighting and moving. Gomez was stalking.
Bazooka wins the next three rounds. The 4th, 5th and 6th rounds were clearly his. Rounds 7 to 9, both fighters traded leads. By round 10, Gomez started to come stronger and the champion Yum weaker by the minute. Yum is wilting by the amount of punches that he's receiving from Gomez, the pace and the San Juan Caribbean heat. Little by little, Gomez was chopping Yum with great combination punching. Gomez was getting stronger.
By round 11, Yum seemed like he was ready to quit. He was exhausted and beat by Gomez's pressure.
A left uppercuts and a right hand in the middle of round 12 did it for the count. Yum went down, probably more exhausted than being hurt. Gomez was relentlessly awesome with the pressure. The referee Dick Young counted to ten and a sea of supporters jumped elated to the ring. Puerto Rico had a new world champion. And his name is Wilfredo "Bazooka" Gomez!
Gomez was suffocating to Yum. The crowd was much more suffocating to Gomez. Gomez could not breathe because of the amount of people that rushed into the small ring to celebrate and congratulate the new champion. The national guard of the island had to intervene to separate the crowd from the exhausted Gomez, in which he had up to date, his toughest fight.
Gomez, the new WBC World Super Bantamweight Champion, improves to 16-0-1, with 16 knockouts!
The veteran Kyun Yum, drops to 50-3-6, with 21 knockouts. He gave a great show and fought gallantly. He had nothing to be ashamed of his performance.
At the time of the stoppage, I had Kyun Yum winning by one point by the score of 115-114.
The referee for the title bout was American Dick Young of California. It's 15 rounds for the WBC Super Bantamweight Championship of the World.
Dom Kyun Yum, the defending champion, got the edge in experience. He had at the time a total of 58 fights.
Round one starts and there it is, another world boxing championship is under way. Gomez, like always, stalked his opponent with left jabs, with uppercuts and right crosses. The champion Yum was a little bit off and wild by throwing the telling left hook. A left hook that you could see coming from Seoul to San Juan.
In the very first round, Yum dropped Bazooka with that same left hook. The crowd was stunned and couldn't believe that their young hero is already on the canvas. It was the first time in Bazooka's career that he tasted the canvas. Bazooka got up, but still seems that he is queer street. The cobwebs of that shot were still in effect.
The champion charged in a hurry since that he saw that his opponent was badly hurt. How did Bazooka survived the round? I don't know. He survived it. It was a strange knockdown because Yum was not considered by any means a knockout puncher. He only had 21 knockouts in 50 wins and 58 professional fights.
Round two, Gomez went again into the attack, but, by the middle of the round, Yum connected his left hook, and Gomez was hurt again. Yum connected well with terrific shots of lefts and rights. Gomez went back to his corner oozy again. What's going on?
The third round was the same. Gomez attacks, dominated the earlier minutes of the round, and suddenly, Yum connects and starts to dominate the other half of the round. Is experience the factor here?
Yum in my view, won clearly the 3 first rounds. Gomez have to be careful of that left hook of Yum and start to pickup pace and win some rounds. He was already behind by 4 points in the scorecards in my view.
But, Gomez was not going to be denied. If he's going to lose this fight, Yum must have to kill him. Gomez was very determined, even though he got dropping the seat of his pants in the first round, to win this title at all costs. He bravely was the aggressor. Yum was retreating. He was fighting and moving. Gomez was stalking.
Bazooka wins the next three rounds. The 4th, 5th and 6th rounds were clearly his. Rounds 7 to 9, both fighters traded leads. By round 10, Gomez started to come stronger and the champion Yum weaker by the minute. Yum is wilting by the amount of punches that he's receiving from Gomez, the pace and the San Juan Caribbean heat. Little by little, Gomez was chopping Yum with great combination punching. Gomez was getting stronger.
By round 11, Yum seemed like he was ready to quit. He was exhausted and beat by Gomez's pressure.
A left uppercuts and a right hand in the middle of round 12 did it for the count. Yum went down, probably more exhausted than being hurt. Gomez was relentlessly awesome with the pressure. The referee Dick Young counted to ten and a sea of supporters jumped elated to the ring. Puerto Rico had a new world champion. And his name is Wilfredo "Bazooka" Gomez!
Gomez was suffocating to Yum. The crowd was much more suffocating to Gomez. Gomez could not breathe because of the amount of people that rushed into the small ring to celebrate and congratulate the new champion. The national guard of the island had to intervene to separate the crowd from the exhausted Gomez, in which he had up to date, his toughest fight.
Gomez, the new WBC World Super Bantamweight Champion, improves to 16-0-1, with 16 knockouts!
The veteran Kyun Yum, drops to 50-3-6, with 21 knockouts. He gave a great show and fought gallantly. He had nothing to be ashamed of his performance.
At the time of the stoppage, I had Kyun Yum winning by one point by the score of 115-114.
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elmersalsa
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Re: The Top 100 Greatest Boxers Pound per Pound of All-Time
Mexican challenger Raul Tirado of Mexico City tested the new champion Wilfredo "Bazooka" Gomez for Gomez's WBC World Super Bantamweight Crown in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Tirado came with a respectable record of 35-5-1. A very experienced boxer. It wasn't the 11-5-1 record that boxrec database shows.
Anyway, despite the record, Tirado was not a match for the 21-year old champ. It was the only title defense that Gomez made for the year 1977. It ended by a 5th round KO.
Tirado came with a respectable record of 35-5-1. A very experienced boxer. It wasn't the 11-5-1 record that boxrec database shows.
Anyway, despite the record, Tirado was not a match for the 21-year old champ. It was the only title defense that Gomez made for the year 1977. It ended by a 5th round KO.
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elmersalsa
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Re: The Top 100 Greatest Boxers Pound per Pound of All-Time
The year 1978 was fructiferous year for the young Puerto Rican champion Wilfredo "Bazooka" Gomez. He had 5 fights in 1978 and won them all by knockout.
His first victim was on January 19th, in Kitakyushu, Japan against local and former WBC World Super Bantamweight Champion Royal Kobayashi.
Kobayashi, 28, was one of Japan's greatest punchers. The guy had a record of 24-3, with 21 knockouts! He could surely hit!
He started off well his career winning his first 18 bouts. Thinking that he was ready for a world title try, he challenged the great Alexis Arguello of Nicaragua for Arguello's WBA World Featherweight Crown in 1975. Arguello knocked him out with a shot to the ribs in 5 rounds. It Kobayashi's first defeat.
But, on October 9, 1976, Kobayashi reached his goal by becoming WBC World Super Bantamweight Champion when he stopped champion Rigoberto Riasco of Panama in 5 rounds. His reigned only lasted 46 days because on his first title defense, Kobayashi lost the crown to former champion Dum Kyun Yum by decision in 15 rounds. Yum, as we know, lost the title to Gomez in May, 1977 in an spectacular fight by 13th round knockout in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Gomez flew to Tokyo, Japan to make his second title defense of his crown against Kobayashi.
Needless to say, the fight didn't last long between two fantastic knockout artists. Between them, they had scored 41 knockouts in 45 contests.
It started well for the former Japanese world champion when he rocked Gomez a couple of times. He was bringing the fight to Bazooka. Bazooka was boxing and retreating, giving Kobayashi angles.
In round 3, a wicked solid left hook dropped Kobayashi and that was it. Kobayashi got up, but Bazooka is a finisher. A great finisher. The referee stopped the bout and Gomez kept his crown in his second world title defense.
Gomez, 21, improves to 18-0-1, with 18 knockouts!
Kobayashi drops to 24-4, with 21 knockouts.
Kobayashi last time that he fought for a world title was when he challenged the great WBA World Featherweight Champion, Eusebio Pedroza of Panama in Tokyo. Pedroza stopped him by a 13th round technical knockout in 1979.
His first victim was on January 19th, in Kitakyushu, Japan against local and former WBC World Super Bantamweight Champion Royal Kobayashi.
Kobayashi, 28, was one of Japan's greatest punchers. The guy had a record of 24-3, with 21 knockouts! He could surely hit!
He started off well his career winning his first 18 bouts. Thinking that he was ready for a world title try, he challenged the great Alexis Arguello of Nicaragua for Arguello's WBA World Featherweight Crown in 1975. Arguello knocked him out with a shot to the ribs in 5 rounds. It Kobayashi's first defeat.
But, on October 9, 1976, Kobayashi reached his goal by becoming WBC World Super Bantamweight Champion when he stopped champion Rigoberto Riasco of Panama in 5 rounds. His reigned only lasted 46 days because on his first title defense, Kobayashi lost the crown to former champion Dum Kyun Yum by decision in 15 rounds. Yum, as we know, lost the title to Gomez in May, 1977 in an spectacular fight by 13th round knockout in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Gomez flew to Tokyo, Japan to make his second title defense of his crown against Kobayashi.
Needless to say, the fight didn't last long between two fantastic knockout artists. Between them, they had scored 41 knockouts in 45 contests.
It started well for the former Japanese world champion when he rocked Gomez a couple of times. He was bringing the fight to Bazooka. Bazooka was boxing and retreating, giving Kobayashi angles.
In round 3, a wicked solid left hook dropped Kobayashi and that was it. Kobayashi got up, but Bazooka is a finisher. A great finisher. The referee stopped the bout and Gomez kept his crown in his second world title defense.
Gomez, 21, improves to 18-0-1, with 18 knockouts!
Kobayashi drops to 24-4, with 21 knockouts.
Kobayashi last time that he fought for a world title was when he challenged the great WBA World Featherweight Champion, Eusebio Pedroza of Panama in Tokyo. Pedroza stopped him by a 13th round technical knockout in 1979.
Re: The Top 100 Greatest Boxers Pound per Pound of All-Time
He boxed LaPorte’s ears off. Could have been a shutout if he hadn’t backed off a few rounds. It was a remarkable performance for a guy known for bombing out his opposition. LaPorte was a tough fight for anyone. I thought he deserved a close decision vs Pedroza and maybe Chavez, he gave Nelson and McGuigan good, close fights and he poleaxed Lockridge. He really only got widely decisioned by Sanchez before the Gomez fight. Bazooka definitely would be in anyone’s top 50 fighters everSeamus wrote: ↑28 Nov 2023, 09:21 In his prime, Wilfredo Gomez was one of the best combination punchers I've ever seen. Ironically, one of my favorite Bazooka performances is one where he doesn't even score a knockdown. It's the one where he dominates iron chinned Juan LaPorte by smothering him with his repertoire of punches round after round.
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elmersalsa
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Re: The Top 100 Greatest Boxers Pound per Pound of All-Time
Wilfredo "Bazooka" Gomez's next title defense is in Bayamon, Puerto Rico's Luis Lubriel Stadium on Saturday, April 8, 1978.
His challenger was a 26-year old Mexican boxer named Juan Antonio Lopez. Lopez had a record of 41-7, with 27 knockouts.
In his resume of 48 fights, Lopez has never been seriously knocked out. His 3 stoppage losses were by cuts. Also, in the year 1976, Lopez had a win against his countryman and former Bantamweight Champion Romeo Anaya by decision in 10 rounds. He also had in his resume a ten round decision loss to legendary boxer Eder Jofre of Brazil. So, the guy got some experience.
But in reality, he was no match for Bazooka. Gomez showed his boxing skills and great footwork. It was one of his most complete wins of his career. He outclassed the Mexican challenger and in my view, Bazooka did not lose a single round. It was over in round 7 in which a barrage of punches were pouring on Lopez's. The American referee, Zach Clayton, saw enough and stopped the contest to give Gomez his 19th straight win by knockout.
Gomez improves to 19-0-1, with 19KOs. It was also Gomez's 3rd title defense of his WBC World Super Bantamweight Crown.
His challenger was a 26-year old Mexican boxer named Juan Antonio Lopez. Lopez had a record of 41-7, with 27 knockouts.
In his resume of 48 fights, Lopez has never been seriously knocked out. His 3 stoppage losses were by cuts. Also, in the year 1976, Lopez had a win against his countryman and former Bantamweight Champion Romeo Anaya by decision in 10 rounds. He also had in his resume a ten round decision loss to legendary boxer Eder Jofre of Brazil. So, the guy got some experience.
But in reality, he was no match for Bazooka. Gomez showed his boxing skills and great footwork. It was one of his most complete wins of his career. He outclassed the Mexican challenger and in my view, Bazooka did not lose a single round. It was over in round 7 in which a barrage of punches were pouring on Lopez's. The American referee, Zach Clayton, saw enough and stopped the contest to give Gomez his 19th straight win by knockout.
Gomez improves to 19-0-1, with 19KOs. It was also Gomez's 3rd title defense of his WBC World Super Bantamweight Crown.
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elmersalsa
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Re: The Top 100 Greatest Boxers Pound per Pound of All-Time
Wilfredo "Bazooka" Gomez travelled half around to the Far East, mainly to Bangkok, Thailand to defend his WBC World Super Bantamweight Crown against an unknown fighter named Sakat Petchyndee.
The local, only had 2 professional fights in his boxing career. On his first professional boxing fight, he defeated by decision top contender and former Gomez's challenger Juan Antonio Lopez of Mexico.
But, what was the fuss about this guy, Petchyndee? Well, he was a former Muay Thai boxer that was a legendary champion in the Thai boxing world. A third-generation Thai boxer, he came from a traditional family of Thai boxing world champions.
He dominated the Thai boxing scene. Now, he wanted to make a mark in the sport of world professional boxing. But, this is not Thai boxing, folks. This is boxing. Professional boxing. The transition was not a good idea.
About 40,000 fans jammed packed the Nakhon Ratchasima Provincial Stadium on Friday, June 2, 1978. It was like a carnival, a national holiday because their hero, Petchyndee, is fighting for a world title in boxing.
Many of them were confident for the win, they probably believed that if Petchyndee was Muay Thai boxing champion of the world, there won't be any trouble for him to become boxing world champion, just like his countryman Saensank Muagsurin did a year before with only 3 fights.
Before the fight, the stadium was so jammed packed that a section of the stadium upper deck collapsed, killing 10 people and injuring 300.
That was the beginning of the bad night for the locals. The second bad thing was that this time, Petchyndee, could not use his feet to kick his opponent. And the third bad thing was that the local wasn't just facing any other champion. He was facing probably one of the all-time pound per pound boxing's best in history. A deadly puncher and complete boxer that was already Puerto Rico's biggest boxing idol.
There are no actual video footage of that fight. It would have been great to see it. Gomez won by a third round technical knockout and continued his streak of 20 straight wins by knockout.
Gomez improves to 20-0-1, with 20KOs.
Petchyndee? Well, he retired from boxing and came back six years later, but never had the success that he had when he was a Muay Thai boxer.
The local, only had 2 professional fights in his boxing career. On his first professional boxing fight, he defeated by decision top contender and former Gomez's challenger Juan Antonio Lopez of Mexico.
But, what was the fuss about this guy, Petchyndee? Well, he was a former Muay Thai boxer that was a legendary champion in the Thai boxing world. A third-generation Thai boxer, he came from a traditional family of Thai boxing world champions.
He dominated the Thai boxing scene. Now, he wanted to make a mark in the sport of world professional boxing. But, this is not Thai boxing, folks. This is boxing. Professional boxing. The transition was not a good idea.
About 40,000 fans jammed packed the Nakhon Ratchasima Provincial Stadium on Friday, June 2, 1978. It was like a carnival, a national holiday because their hero, Petchyndee, is fighting for a world title in boxing.
Many of them were confident for the win, they probably believed that if Petchyndee was Muay Thai boxing champion of the world, there won't be any trouble for him to become boxing world champion, just like his countryman Saensank Muagsurin did a year before with only 3 fights.
Before the fight, the stadium was so jammed packed that a section of the stadium upper deck collapsed, killing 10 people and injuring 300.
That was the beginning of the bad night for the locals. The second bad thing was that this time, Petchyndee, could not use his feet to kick his opponent. And the third bad thing was that the local wasn't just facing any other champion. He was facing probably one of the all-time pound per pound boxing's best in history. A deadly puncher and complete boxer that was already Puerto Rico's biggest boxing idol.
There are no actual video footage of that fight. It would have been great to see it. Gomez won by a third round technical knockout and continued his streak of 20 straight wins by knockout.
Gomez improves to 20-0-1, with 20KOs.
Petchyndee? Well, he retired from boxing and came back six years later, but never had the success that he had when he was a Muay Thai boxer.
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elmersalsa
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Re: The Top 100 Greatest Boxers Pound per Pound of All-Time
It was Bazooka's 4th successful title defense of his WBC World Super Bantamweight Championship.
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elmersalsa
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Re: The Top 100 Greatest Boxers Pound per Pound of All-Time
Bazooka's next title defense was on Saturday, September 9, 1978 in Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan, Puerto Rico against challenger Leonardo "Leo" Cruz of Dominican Republic.
It was Gomez's 5th title defense. His 4th title defense of the year 1978.
Cruz, is the brother of the late and former World Lightweight Champion Carlos "Teo" Cruz. Like his brother Teo, Leo also called the island of Puerto Rico his home.
In one of his most recent bouts of note, he beat future Bantamweight Champion Lupe Pintor of Mexico by decision in 10. Pintor, 4 years later, challenged Bazooka for his title in a brilliant slugfest loss for 14 rounds in New Orleans.
Cruz came into the contest with a record of 29-4-3, with 13 knockouts.
The fight was a classic slugfest of great inside fighting. Cruz fought gallantly and gave Bazooka one of his toughest fights up to that point.
Almost every round was a treat. Gomez's KO streak was in jeopardy, but not in jeopardy of losing his crown, since he was slightly ahead. It was one of the most underrated title fights in boxing history.
In round 12, a left hook by Gomez shook Cruz and Cruz was in bad shape. The bell saved the challenger. But by the beginning of round 13th, it was all over. The same left hook put Cruz in queer street and the referee, Anselmo Escobedo of Mexico, halted the bout. The crowd in the stadium went wild for their local hero.
The winner by TKO in round 13th, and still the WBC Super Bantamweight Champion of the World!: Wilfredo "Bazooka" Gomez!
Gomez successfully defends his crown for the 5th time. And by knockout.
Gomez improves to 21-0-1 with 21 knockouts.
Cruz, who gave Gomez one of his toughest fights, drops to 29-5-3 with 13 knockouts. He later became WBA World Super Bantamweight Champion when he defeated defending champion Sergio Palma of Argentina in a rematch in June 1982 on points.
Next for Gomez, there were strong negotiations for a title super fight with WBC World Bantamweight Champion Carlos Zarate of Mexico in San Juan.
It was Gomez's 5th title defense. His 4th title defense of the year 1978.
Cruz, is the brother of the late and former World Lightweight Champion Carlos "Teo" Cruz. Like his brother Teo, Leo also called the island of Puerto Rico his home.
In one of his most recent bouts of note, he beat future Bantamweight Champion Lupe Pintor of Mexico by decision in 10. Pintor, 4 years later, challenged Bazooka for his title in a brilliant slugfest loss for 14 rounds in New Orleans.
Cruz came into the contest with a record of 29-4-3, with 13 knockouts.
The fight was a classic slugfest of great inside fighting. Cruz fought gallantly and gave Bazooka one of his toughest fights up to that point.
Almost every round was a treat. Gomez's KO streak was in jeopardy, but not in jeopardy of losing his crown, since he was slightly ahead. It was one of the most underrated title fights in boxing history.
In round 12, a left hook by Gomez shook Cruz and Cruz was in bad shape. The bell saved the challenger. But by the beginning of round 13th, it was all over. The same left hook put Cruz in queer street and the referee, Anselmo Escobedo of Mexico, halted the bout. The crowd in the stadium went wild for their local hero.
The winner by TKO in round 13th, and still the WBC Super Bantamweight Champion of the World!: Wilfredo "Bazooka" Gomez!
Gomez successfully defends his crown for the 5th time. And by knockout.
Gomez improves to 21-0-1 with 21 knockouts.
Cruz, who gave Gomez one of his toughest fights, drops to 29-5-3 with 13 knockouts. He later became WBA World Super Bantamweight Champion when he defeated defending champion Sergio Palma of Argentina in a rematch in June 1982 on points.
Next for Gomez, there were strong negotiations for a title super fight with WBC World Bantamweight Champion Carlos Zarate of Mexico in San Juan.
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elmersalsa
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Re: The Top 100 Greatest Boxers Pound per Pound of All-Time
The big and anticipated super fight came to San Juan, Puerto Rico on Saturday, October 28th, 1978 at the Roberto Clemente Coliseum. One day before Gomez's 22nd birthday.
The negotiations came through and the great WBC World Bantamweight Champion Carlos Zarate of Mexico, made the brave travel to Puerto Rico to challenge WBC World Super Bantamweight Champion Wilfredo "Bazooka" Gomez.
Until this day, I don't know why Zarate chose to go to San Juan to challenge an exceptional champion in Gomez. Maybe, he wanted to prove something. That he's a real Macho Man and he is eager to fight anybody, anywhere and at any time. Was this a wise choice? Not at all in my view.
There were places that this fight, a super fight of this magnitude, should have been made. For example, it could have been done in Las Vegas, NV. Where there's a great population of Mexicans and Latino boxing fans. If the fight would have been at Inglewood Forum in Los Angeles, CA, it would have favor Zarate much more. Likewise, a fight at the Madison Square Garden in New York City would have favor Gomez. How about the New Orleans Superdome? That's a great neutral site. But, for each fighter to fight in the other guy's backyard is not a great idea for any means.
Maybe Zarate was lured and offered the biggest payday of his career. And that's the only reason why I think he took the fight in Gomez's hometown. Either at that, it wasn't a good and wise choice.
Zarate, The Ring Magazine Fighter of the Year the year before, came into the fight with a record too good to be true. He was 52-0, with 51 knockouts! A record never heard before in the history of boxing. A record that no fighter in before or since has ever boasted. To top it off, he has defended his WBC World Bantamweight Crown 8 times! All by knockout! Plus, he demolished country man and former stable mate WBA World Bantamweight Champion Alfonso Zamora in only 4 rounds to settle the score as the real champion of the bantam class.
Zarate, a terrific knockout artist, was 27 years of age.
In a declaration in Panama City, Panama where Gomez was doing his training for probably the greatest match of his career, Gomez predicted that this fight could have been the easiest and the toughest fight also. He dedicated with great confidence a win because he said that he was the better boxer, younger and that he hits harder than Zarate. I could agree with the first two statements, not the third. And until this day, there's hasn't been a bantamweight boxer in history that ever hit much harder than Zarate.
Gomez, a very confident champion, came into the fight with a record of 21-0-1, with 21 knockouts!
Together, both fighters records was 73-0-1, with 72 knockouts! It was something between two fantastic knockout artists never seen before in a world title fight.
The negotiations came through and the great WBC World Bantamweight Champion Carlos Zarate of Mexico, made the brave travel to Puerto Rico to challenge WBC World Super Bantamweight Champion Wilfredo "Bazooka" Gomez.
Until this day, I don't know why Zarate chose to go to San Juan to challenge an exceptional champion in Gomez. Maybe, he wanted to prove something. That he's a real Macho Man and he is eager to fight anybody, anywhere and at any time. Was this a wise choice? Not at all in my view.
There were places that this fight, a super fight of this magnitude, should have been made. For example, it could have been done in Las Vegas, NV. Where there's a great population of Mexicans and Latino boxing fans. If the fight would have been at Inglewood Forum in Los Angeles, CA, it would have favor Zarate much more. Likewise, a fight at the Madison Square Garden in New York City would have favor Gomez. How about the New Orleans Superdome? That's a great neutral site. But, for each fighter to fight in the other guy's backyard is not a great idea for any means.
Maybe Zarate was lured and offered the biggest payday of his career. And that's the only reason why I think he took the fight in Gomez's hometown. Either at that, it wasn't a good and wise choice.
Zarate, The Ring Magazine Fighter of the Year the year before, came into the fight with a record too good to be true. He was 52-0, with 51 knockouts! A record never heard before in the history of boxing. A record that no fighter in before or since has ever boasted. To top it off, he has defended his WBC World Bantamweight Crown 8 times! All by knockout! Plus, he demolished country man and former stable mate WBA World Bantamweight Champion Alfonso Zamora in only 4 rounds to settle the score as the real champion of the bantam class.
Zarate, a terrific knockout artist, was 27 years of age.
In a declaration in Panama City, Panama where Gomez was doing his training for probably the greatest match of his career, Gomez predicted that this fight could have been the easiest and the toughest fight also. He dedicated with great confidence a win because he said that he was the better boxer, younger and that he hits harder than Zarate. I could agree with the first two statements, not the third. And until this day, there's hasn't been a bantamweight boxer in history that ever hit much harder than Zarate.
Gomez, a very confident champion, came into the fight with a record of 21-0-1, with 21 knockouts!
Together, both fighters records was 73-0-1, with 72 knockouts! It was something between two fantastic knockout artists never seen before in a world title fight.
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elmersalsa
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 15652
- Joined: 02 Feb 2003, 03:50
Re: The Top 100 Greatest Boxers Pound per Pound of All-Time
The big and anticipated super fight in Puerto Rico became a reality.
Mexico versus Puerto Rico is the greatest boxing rivalry between these two rich boxing nations. There's no other rivalry in boxing that can equally match it. Mexico versus Puerto Rico in rivalry is like Brazil vs Argentina in world football. Or the Los Angeles Lakers vs Boston Celtics in the National Basketball Association or the New York Yankees against the Boston Red Sox in Major League Baseball.
Both nations follow the sport of boxing with extreme fervor. It's like a traditional feast. A religion. They support their boxing heroes with a passion that is not match by any other country, even the United States.
The Roberto Clemente Coliseum was a jammed packed house in San Juan. It was the only thing that matters on Saturday, October 28, 1978. A day before Gomez's 22nd birthday. Would this be Gomez's birthday party gift?
Gomez worn trunks that resembled the Puerto Rican flag. A beautiful one indeed. He dedicated this fight to his people and that he is not going to let them down in perhaps until that point, the greatest fight anticipated by these two nations.
There was big tension in the air. And one being there could have felt it. Puerto Rico's most favorite son was in the greatest fight of his young career.
The 3 national anthems of America, Mexico and Puerto Rico were played in the coliseum. Everything was set.
Gomez, a boxer-puncher, started cautiously boxing his nemesis Zarate. Zarate like always, was stalking his opponent. The crowd was roaring to anything that Bazooka threw. Wether it was a hit, blocked or miss shot. Somebody tonight is going to be knocked out. There's no way that this fight will reach to the end at 15 rounds.
Well, the prediction was true and it happened in Gomez's favor. In round 4, Bazooka caught Zarate with a vicious left hook and Zarate went down for the count for the first time in his career. He was stunned. Then, another barrage came and Zarate went down. The crowd roared like if that was a salsa music concert done by their own Hector Lavoe. They were jumping up and down and screaming wild. The bell rang and saved Zarate for further punishment.
In round 5, it was all over. The young champion, Gomez, was like a shark searching for blood. He got to finish the fight with his fists as soon as possible and not give Zarate a chance to recover at no time at all. It got to be ended right there. And right there it did. Zarate went down 4 times. In the last knockdown, Gomez hit Zarate while Zarate was defenseless on the canvas. And the referee, Harry Gibbs of England, gave a blind eye. He was terrible refereeing that fight. He lost control.
In all that chaos, a white towel, thrown by Zarate's manager and trainer, Arturo "Cuyo" Hernandez signaled that the fight was over. Gomez won the fight by a 5th round technical knockout.
The winner by TKO in round 5 and still the WBC Super Bantamweight Champion of the World! Wilfredo "Bazooka" Gomez!
Mexico versus Puerto Rico is the greatest boxing rivalry between these two rich boxing nations. There's no other rivalry in boxing that can equally match it. Mexico versus Puerto Rico in rivalry is like Brazil vs Argentina in world football. Or the Los Angeles Lakers vs Boston Celtics in the National Basketball Association or the New York Yankees against the Boston Red Sox in Major League Baseball.
Both nations follow the sport of boxing with extreme fervor. It's like a traditional feast. A religion. They support their boxing heroes with a passion that is not match by any other country, even the United States.
The Roberto Clemente Coliseum was a jammed packed house in San Juan. It was the only thing that matters on Saturday, October 28, 1978. A day before Gomez's 22nd birthday. Would this be Gomez's birthday party gift?
Gomez worn trunks that resembled the Puerto Rican flag. A beautiful one indeed. He dedicated this fight to his people and that he is not going to let them down in perhaps until that point, the greatest fight anticipated by these two nations.
There was big tension in the air. And one being there could have felt it. Puerto Rico's most favorite son was in the greatest fight of his young career.
The 3 national anthems of America, Mexico and Puerto Rico were played in the coliseum. Everything was set.
Gomez, a boxer-puncher, started cautiously boxing his nemesis Zarate. Zarate like always, was stalking his opponent. The crowd was roaring to anything that Bazooka threw. Wether it was a hit, blocked or miss shot. Somebody tonight is going to be knocked out. There's no way that this fight will reach to the end at 15 rounds.
Well, the prediction was true and it happened in Gomez's favor. In round 4, Bazooka caught Zarate with a vicious left hook and Zarate went down for the count for the first time in his career. He was stunned. Then, another barrage came and Zarate went down. The crowd roared like if that was a salsa music concert done by their own Hector Lavoe. They were jumping up and down and screaming wild. The bell rang and saved Zarate for further punishment.
In round 5, it was all over. The young champion, Gomez, was like a shark searching for blood. He got to finish the fight with his fists as soon as possible and not give Zarate a chance to recover at no time at all. It got to be ended right there. And right there it did. Zarate went down 4 times. In the last knockdown, Gomez hit Zarate while Zarate was defenseless on the canvas. And the referee, Harry Gibbs of England, gave a blind eye. He was terrible refereeing that fight. He lost control.
In all that chaos, a white towel, thrown by Zarate's manager and trainer, Arturo "Cuyo" Hernandez signaled that the fight was over. Gomez won the fight by a 5th round technical knockout.
The winner by TKO in round 5 and still the WBC Super Bantamweight Champion of the World! Wilfredo "Bazooka" Gomez!
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elmersalsa
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 15652
- Joined: 02 Feb 2003, 03:50
Re: The Top 100 Greatest Boxers Pound per Pound of All-Time
Wilfredo Gomez was carried by his supporters in the ring after stopping the fearsome Carlos Zarate. Up to this point, it's the greatest win in the history of Puerto Rican boxing. No other win has ever come close.
Gomez enters the annals as a great champion. An all-time pound per pound great boxer? Perhaps. His career is still young and he could give his country more thrills if he keeps it up.
Zarate was disappointed and dejected. He lost in a stunning fashion. He came back to his weight class and kept defending his WBC World Bantamweight Crown until another controversial decision loss against country man and stable mate Lupe Pintor in June 1979, made him think and say, "the hell with boxing!" and retired disappointed of the sport for seven years.
In 1986, Zarate, at age 36 came back to the ring and won 12 straight bouts campaigning at the super Bantamweight division this time.
On October 1987, Zarate travels to Australia to try to become WBC World Super Bantamweight Champion. This time, the crown was held by sensational Jeff Fenech and Zarate lost by technical decision. Another disappointing defeat. Another controversial loss. What does he gotta do?
Well, the third time was not the charm for Zarate and this time, he lost convincingly by technical knockout against country man Daniel Zaragoza for the vacant WBC World Super Bantamweight Championship on February 1988 and retired for good. He retired with a record of 66-4, with 63 knockouts. He established himself as an all-time pound per pound great and one of the top greatest bantamweight boxers of all-time. He also is voted by the Ring Magazine all time pound per pound greatest punchers.
Back to Bazooka, he won his 5th fight of the year 1978. It was his sixth title defense of his WBC belt. He won all his fights in 1978 by knockout. But, this win over Zarate was his greatest win. He never had another win like that again. And definitely, he should have been unanimously awarded by The Ring Magazine as Fighter of the Year for 1978. The question was, why he didn't win it?
The award was overratedly awarded to the great Muhammad Ali by regaining the World Heavyweight Title for the third time against champion Leon Spinks. Spinks, a gold medalist in 1976 Olympics, was a novice of only 8 fights and beat Ali by unanimous decision in a shocker in February. In September, Ali, 36, regained it from him in a dull fight in New Orleans, becoming the only heavyweight boxer to win the crown 3 times up to that point.
How could that clouded Gomez's fantastic year? I don't know. Gomez whupped a legend. Ali beat a rookie. Even the great Roberto Duran had a better year than Ali. Was the Ring Magazine ignoring the Latin boxers? Does the Ring got a fervorsly biased agenda for Ali? I don't know. But, I think that Gomez should have won the award instead.
Gomez improves to 22-0-1, with 22 knockouts and becomes Puerto Rico's most favorite boxer ever.
Gomez enters the annals as a great champion. An all-time pound per pound great boxer? Perhaps. His career is still young and he could give his country more thrills if he keeps it up.
Zarate was disappointed and dejected. He lost in a stunning fashion. He came back to his weight class and kept defending his WBC World Bantamweight Crown until another controversial decision loss against country man and stable mate Lupe Pintor in June 1979, made him think and say, "the hell with boxing!" and retired disappointed of the sport for seven years.
In 1986, Zarate, at age 36 came back to the ring and won 12 straight bouts campaigning at the super Bantamweight division this time.
On October 1987, Zarate travels to Australia to try to become WBC World Super Bantamweight Champion. This time, the crown was held by sensational Jeff Fenech and Zarate lost by technical decision. Another disappointing defeat. Another controversial loss. What does he gotta do?
Well, the third time was not the charm for Zarate and this time, he lost convincingly by technical knockout against country man Daniel Zaragoza for the vacant WBC World Super Bantamweight Championship on February 1988 and retired for good. He retired with a record of 66-4, with 63 knockouts. He established himself as an all-time pound per pound great and one of the top greatest bantamweight boxers of all-time. He also is voted by the Ring Magazine all time pound per pound greatest punchers.
Back to Bazooka, he won his 5th fight of the year 1978. It was his sixth title defense of his WBC belt. He won all his fights in 1978 by knockout. But, this win over Zarate was his greatest win. He never had another win like that again. And definitely, he should have been unanimously awarded by The Ring Magazine as Fighter of the Year for 1978. The question was, why he didn't win it?
The award was overratedly awarded to the great Muhammad Ali by regaining the World Heavyweight Title for the third time against champion Leon Spinks. Spinks, a gold medalist in 1976 Olympics, was a novice of only 8 fights and beat Ali by unanimous decision in a shocker in February. In September, Ali, 36, regained it from him in a dull fight in New Orleans, becoming the only heavyweight boxer to win the crown 3 times up to that point.
How could that clouded Gomez's fantastic year? I don't know. Gomez whupped a legend. Ali beat a rookie. Even the great Roberto Duran had a better year than Ali. Was the Ring Magazine ignoring the Latin boxers? Does the Ring got a fervorsly biased agenda for Ali? I don't know. But, I think that Gomez should have won the award instead.
Gomez improves to 22-0-1, with 22 knockouts and becomes Puerto Rico's most favorite boxer ever.
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elmersalsa
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 15652
- Joined: 02 Feb 2003, 03:50
Re: The Top 100 Greatest Boxers Pound per Pound of All-Time
Bazooka continues the year 1979 just like he did in probably the greatest year of his boxing career, the year 1978.
The year 1978 was the year that Bazooka should have won The Ring Magazine's best fighter award. It wasn't even close.
Just like in 1978, Bazooka fought 5 times in the year 1979 starting on Friday, March 9, 1979 at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
Bazooka was defending his crown for the 7th time against a veteran and experienced foe named Nestor Jimenez of Colombia.
Jimenez, age 31, was a top contender veteran of 84 fights. He started his career in June 1967. He came into the Garden with a record of 70 wins, 12 losses, 2 draws and only 22 knockouts. Which suggested that he didn't packed a punch.
The challenger has fought a great deal of top fighters at Bantamweight and Super Bantam. He lost to world champions like Carlos Zarate of Mexico (LKO2), Rodolfo Martinez, also of Mexico (LTKO7), Betulio Gonzalez of Venezuela (L10), Enrique Pinder of Panama
(L10) and Romeo Anaya (Mexico) by decision in ten.
But, among his best wins, the challenger had wins over his countryman and future world champion Ricardo Cardinals, and top contenders like Orlando Amores of Panama (W10), Cleo Garcia of Nicaragua (W12), Julio Hernandez (W10) also of Nicaragua, Raul Tirado of Mexico (W10), Ulises Morales of Panama (W12) and a win against his countryman and little brother of WBA World Jr Welterweight Champion Antonio Cervantes, Joe "Pambelito" Cervantes (W12).
It seems like a pretty solid career. At this time, Jimenez, only wants to become world champion. Could he win?
The year 1978 was the year that Bazooka should have won The Ring Magazine's best fighter award. It wasn't even close.
Just like in 1978, Bazooka fought 5 times in the year 1979 starting on Friday, March 9, 1979 at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
Bazooka was defending his crown for the 7th time against a veteran and experienced foe named Nestor Jimenez of Colombia.
Jimenez, age 31, was a top contender veteran of 84 fights. He started his career in June 1967. He came into the Garden with a record of 70 wins, 12 losses, 2 draws and only 22 knockouts. Which suggested that he didn't packed a punch.
The challenger has fought a great deal of top fighters at Bantamweight and Super Bantam. He lost to world champions like Carlos Zarate of Mexico (LKO2), Rodolfo Martinez, also of Mexico (LTKO7), Betulio Gonzalez of Venezuela (L10), Enrique Pinder of Panama
(L10) and Romeo Anaya (Mexico) by decision in ten.
But, among his best wins, the challenger had wins over his countryman and future world champion Ricardo Cardinals, and top contenders like Orlando Amores of Panama (W10), Cleo Garcia of Nicaragua (W12), Julio Hernandez (W10) also of Nicaragua, Raul Tirado of Mexico (W10), Ulises Morales of Panama (W12) and a win against his countryman and little brother of WBA World Jr Welterweight Champion Antonio Cervantes, Joe "Pambelito" Cervantes (W12).
It seems like a pretty solid career. At this time, Jimenez, only wants to become world champion. Could he win?
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elmersalsa
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 15652
- Joined: 02 Feb 2003, 03:50
Re: The Top 100 Greatest Boxers Pound per Pound of All-Time
As logically, the Puerto Rican community is one of New York City's greatest. Thousands of them went to the Garden to see their favorite son, Wilfredo "Bazooka" Gomez to defend his crown there.
It was the first time in Gomez's career that he fights in New York. And his own people received him with a great welcome.
It turned out a easy win for him without a problem. After the second round, Gomez was on top of his challenger Nestor Jimenez of Colombia like white on rice. Like a stamp to a letter. Jimenez, a good boxer, couldn't resist the bum rush. Bazooka finally caught him with a left uppercuts and that was it. The Puerto Rican crowd in New York went bezerk and the referee had to stop it.
The winner by TKO in round 5 and still the WBC Super Bantamweight Champion of the World!....... Wilfredo "Bazooka" Gomez!
Gomez successfully defends his crown by knockout. His eight KO in a row in title fights and his seventh defense in a row won by knockout.
Gomez improves his fantastic record of 23-0-1, with 23 knockout wins.
It was the first time in Gomez's career that he fights in New York. And his own people received him with a great welcome.
It turned out a easy win for him without a problem. After the second round, Gomez was on top of his challenger Nestor Jimenez of Colombia like white on rice. Like a stamp to a letter. Jimenez, a good boxer, couldn't resist the bum rush. Bazooka finally caught him with a left uppercuts and that was it. The Puerto Rican crowd in New York went bezerk and the referee had to stop it.
The winner by TKO in round 5 and still the WBC Super Bantamweight Champion of the World!....... Wilfredo "Bazooka" Gomez!
Gomez successfully defends his crown by knockout. His eight KO in a row in title fights and his seventh defense in a row won by knockout.
Gomez improves his fantastic record of 23-0-1, with 23 knockout wins.
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elmersalsa
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 15652
- Joined: 02 Feb 2003, 03:50
Re: The Top 100 Greatest Boxers Pound per Pound of All-Time
It seems like the Puerto Rican crowd and the boxing promotion of Madison Square Garden in New York City were so happy and impressed by their country man Wilfredo "Bazooka" Gomez that they wanted to see him again in action at the famous arena.
And why not? Gomez was all what Puerto Rico ever wanted: charismatic, handsome, strong, can fight and can hit like a mule. In their minds, the Puerto Rican fans thought of Bazooka as their greatest boxing treasure.
Even with champions like the great Wilfred Benitez, Alfredo "El Salsero" Escalera and Samuel Serrano withstanding, Gomez in Puerto Rico, was the face of boxing. Their unbeaten prince. Their knight and shining armor. He was Puerto Rico. The way a Puerto Rican really looked like. He was their #1 Puerto Rican star.
This time, Gomez came back for a tune up at featherweight class to face Nelson Cruz Tamariz from the Dominican Republic.
Tamariz had a so so record of 24-6-4, with 11KOs. Nothing special. He was just in the fight for a payday, nothing less. There wasn't high expectations from his countrymen in attendance that he's got a good shot at beating Gomez. It seems that he wasn't even known in his own community, let alone country.
Among his highlights, he had two losses against his countryman and future world champion Leonardo "Leo" Cruz, also a Gomez's victim the year before in a slugfest 13-round classic in Puerto Rico.
The only disappointing thing about the fight that it didn't last longer. It was over as soon as you can read this and very quick.
A left uppercut shot by Gomez to Tamariz's belly and and jaw, followed by a right hand sent the Dominican to the floor in round 2. Referee Tony Perez of Puerto Rico counted until 1000 and it was over. Gomez won by a second round knockout. The crowd, mostly by Puerto Ricans, went wild. Their hero won again as expected with convincing fashion.
Gomez improves to 24-0-1, with 24 knockouts. An easy win and an easy payday. Not all fights should be hard fights. Should they?
And why not? Gomez was all what Puerto Rico ever wanted: charismatic, handsome, strong, can fight and can hit like a mule. In their minds, the Puerto Rican fans thought of Bazooka as their greatest boxing treasure.
Even with champions like the great Wilfred Benitez, Alfredo "El Salsero" Escalera and Samuel Serrano withstanding, Gomez in Puerto Rico, was the face of boxing. Their unbeaten prince. Their knight and shining armor. He was Puerto Rico. The way a Puerto Rican really looked like. He was their #1 Puerto Rican star.
This time, Gomez came back for a tune up at featherweight class to face Nelson Cruz Tamariz from the Dominican Republic.
Tamariz had a so so record of 24-6-4, with 11KOs. Nothing special. He was just in the fight for a payday, nothing less. There wasn't high expectations from his countrymen in attendance that he's got a good shot at beating Gomez. It seems that he wasn't even known in his own community, let alone country.
Among his highlights, he had two losses against his countryman and future world champion Leonardo "Leo" Cruz, also a Gomez's victim the year before in a slugfest 13-round classic in Puerto Rico.
The only disappointing thing about the fight that it didn't last longer. It was over as soon as you can read this and very quick.
A left uppercut shot by Gomez to Tamariz's belly and and jaw, followed by a right hand sent the Dominican to the floor in round 2. Referee Tony Perez of Puerto Rico counted until 1000 and it was over. Gomez won by a second round knockout. The crowd, mostly by Puerto Ricans, went wild. Their hero won again as expected with convincing fashion.
Gomez improves to 24-0-1, with 24 knockouts. An easy win and an easy payday. Not all fights should be hard fights. Should they?
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elmersalsa
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 15652
- Joined: 02 Feb 2003, 03:50
Re: The Top 100 Greatest Boxers Pound per Pound of All-Time
On Saturday, June 16, 1979, Wilfredo "Bazooka" Gomez makes his 8th title defense of his WBC World Super Bantamweight Crown against challenger Julio Hernandez of Nicaragua.
The fight was held at the famous Roberto Clemente Coliseum in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Hernandez, 25, had a record of 40-5, with 11KOs. He was a counter-puncher.
The fight was an easy one for Bazooka due that Hernandez didn't packed the punch to even hurt the champion. So Gomez approached him without fear. All what Hernandez could do was try to outbox the Puerto Rican. He did that a couple of times, but his punches were soft as cotton.
Gomez stopped the challenger with an overhand right cross in round 5 and Hernandez went down. Another attack and Gomez put the challenger down with another right cross to the head. The crowd roared wildly. Gomez finished Hernandez with a vicious left uppercut on the chin and that was it. The fight was stopped.
The winner and still the WBC Super Bantamweight Champion of the World!: Wilfredo "Bazooka" Gomez!
It was Bazooka's 9th straight title win ending by knockout. And his 8th straight title defense win ended by knockout. A record for the Super Bantamweight division.
Gomez, 22, improves to 25-0-1, with 25 knockouts
The fight was held at the famous Roberto Clemente Coliseum in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Hernandez, 25, had a record of 40-5, with 11KOs. He was a counter-puncher.
The fight was an easy one for Bazooka due that Hernandez didn't packed the punch to even hurt the champion. So Gomez approached him without fear. All what Hernandez could do was try to outbox the Puerto Rican. He did that a couple of times, but his punches were soft as cotton.
Gomez stopped the challenger with an overhand right cross in round 5 and Hernandez went down. Another attack and Gomez put the challenger down with another right cross to the head. The crowd roared wildly. Gomez finished Hernandez with a vicious left uppercut on the chin and that was it. The fight was stopped.
The winner and still the WBC Super Bantamweight Champion of the World!: Wilfredo "Bazooka" Gomez!
It was Bazooka's 9th straight title win ending by knockout. And his 8th straight title defense win ended by knockout. A record for the Super Bantamweight division.
Gomez, 22, improves to 25-0-1, with 25 knockouts
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elmersalsa
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 15652
- Joined: 02 Feb 2003, 03:50
Re: The Top 100 Greatest Boxers Pound per Pound of All-Time
Wilfredo's fourth fight of the year in 1979 was one of the most underrated fights and wins of his career.
On Friday, September 28, 1979 at the famous Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, NV, Gomez defends his WBC World Super Bantamweight Crown against veteran and tough challenger Carlos Mendoza of Panama.
Mendoza, 27, had a record of 38-12-4 with 29KOs. A stylish boxer and hard hitter, made Mexico City, Mexico his home in April 1971.
In his 54 pro bouts, he already fought 5 world champions, some of them twice, but had the bad luck of losing to all of them. He was the great Roberto Duran's first professional opponent in February 1967, losing to Duran by decision in 4 rounds.
Mendoza also fought former world champions like Panamanians Enrique Pinder (L8), Rigoberto Riasco (LKO6), and Mexicans like Romeo Anaya of (LTKO6), and Ruben Olivares (LTKO6).
In the Olivares' bout, he dropped the legend in round 4. But, after losing to Olivares, Mendoza took things seriously by winning 20 fights in a row since December 1974, and also had a 16 fight KO win streak since December 1975. So, the guy can hit. He was determined to become a world champion and upset the champion Gomez. Mendoza's nickname was El Canzoneri (The Cannon Man).
Meanwhile, Gomez, 22, was aware of the Panamanian and what was he was all about. He knew about Panamanian boxing because he had his first couple of bouts in Panama. He started his pro career in that country.
It's too bad that the videotape on YouTube is not complete. It only had selected rounds. And it seemed that the fight was a dandy.
In round 3, Gomez hit the Panamanian challenger with all his might. Mendoza was on the ropes, taking all Gomez's shots. Gomez hit Mendoza with some vicious uppercuts and the challenger was still standing. Gomez wore himself out and it showed in round 4.
In round 4, Mendoza started to attack and gave Gomez some wicked shots of straight rights. Mendoza was holding his own.
By round 8, Mendoza was still standing, and scoring. Is the upset near? It seems like it.
In round 10, American referee, Richard Greene, stopped the fight for a couple of seconds to check on a hole dugged in Gomez's right glove. This brought memories of the great Cassius Clay ripped glove in his fight with Henry Cooper in 1963.
The commission let the fight go on, so did the referee. Gomez went right to the attack with lefts and rights and Mendoza went down for the first time in the fight. Another barrage came to the Panamanian and he went down again from a Gomez's right. Another barrage of punches and Mendoza was helpless, he couldn't defend himself, and the referee Greene finally stopped it.
It was a great and underrated win for the champion Gomez. It was one of his toughest wins of his illustrious career.
The winner by TKO in round 10 and still the WBC Super Bantamweight Champion of the World!....... Wilfredo "Bazooka" Gomez!
It was Gomez's 9th straight title defense won by knockout. One more title defense win by knockout and he ties Duran's all-time record of 10 straight title defenses won by knockout and eleven straight title fights won, also by knockout.
It was one of the greatest boxing cards of the 1970s decade promoted by American Don King.
In the first fight televised for the evening, an up and coming star won by knockout in the very first round. His name? Olympic gold medalist and future world champion and boxing legend Sugar Ray Leonard of Palmer Park, MD. He easily dismantled top welterweight contender Andy Price of Los Angeles, CA. Leonard was undefeated and just one step from the welterweight crown.
In the other fight of the evening, former lightweight king, Duran, had a tough time in decisioning Zeferino "Speedy" Gonzalez in ten rounds.
And in the main event, Larry Holmes, the WBC World Heavyweight Champion of Easton, PA, defeated for the second time top challenger and knockout artist Earnie Shavers of Ohio, this time by an 11th round TKO.
Gomez improves to 26-0-1, with 26 knockout wins. Mendoza, as skillful as he was, never again fought for a world title.
On Friday, September 28, 1979 at the famous Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, NV, Gomez defends his WBC World Super Bantamweight Crown against veteran and tough challenger Carlos Mendoza of Panama.
Mendoza, 27, had a record of 38-12-4 with 29KOs. A stylish boxer and hard hitter, made Mexico City, Mexico his home in April 1971.
In his 54 pro bouts, he already fought 5 world champions, some of them twice, but had the bad luck of losing to all of them. He was the great Roberto Duran's first professional opponent in February 1967, losing to Duran by decision in 4 rounds.
Mendoza also fought former world champions like Panamanians Enrique Pinder (L8), Rigoberto Riasco (LKO6), and Mexicans like Romeo Anaya of (LTKO6), and Ruben Olivares (LTKO6).
In the Olivares' bout, he dropped the legend in round 4. But, after losing to Olivares, Mendoza took things seriously by winning 20 fights in a row since December 1974, and also had a 16 fight KO win streak since December 1975. So, the guy can hit. He was determined to become a world champion and upset the champion Gomez. Mendoza's nickname was El Canzoneri (The Cannon Man).
Meanwhile, Gomez, 22, was aware of the Panamanian and what was he was all about. He knew about Panamanian boxing because he had his first couple of bouts in Panama. He started his pro career in that country.
It's too bad that the videotape on YouTube is not complete. It only had selected rounds. And it seemed that the fight was a dandy.
In round 3, Gomez hit the Panamanian challenger with all his might. Mendoza was on the ropes, taking all Gomez's shots. Gomez hit Mendoza with some vicious uppercuts and the challenger was still standing. Gomez wore himself out and it showed in round 4.
In round 4, Mendoza started to attack and gave Gomez some wicked shots of straight rights. Mendoza was holding his own.
By round 8, Mendoza was still standing, and scoring. Is the upset near? It seems like it.
In round 10, American referee, Richard Greene, stopped the fight for a couple of seconds to check on a hole dugged in Gomez's right glove. This brought memories of the great Cassius Clay ripped glove in his fight with Henry Cooper in 1963.
The commission let the fight go on, so did the referee. Gomez went right to the attack with lefts and rights and Mendoza went down for the first time in the fight. Another barrage came to the Panamanian and he went down again from a Gomez's right. Another barrage of punches and Mendoza was helpless, he couldn't defend himself, and the referee Greene finally stopped it.
It was a great and underrated win for the champion Gomez. It was one of his toughest wins of his illustrious career.
The winner by TKO in round 10 and still the WBC Super Bantamweight Champion of the World!....... Wilfredo "Bazooka" Gomez!
It was Gomez's 9th straight title defense won by knockout. One more title defense win by knockout and he ties Duran's all-time record of 10 straight title defenses won by knockout and eleven straight title fights won, also by knockout.
It was one of the greatest boxing cards of the 1970s decade promoted by American Don King.
In the first fight televised for the evening, an up and coming star won by knockout in the very first round. His name? Olympic gold medalist and future world champion and boxing legend Sugar Ray Leonard of Palmer Park, MD. He easily dismantled top welterweight contender Andy Price of Los Angeles, CA. Leonard was undefeated and just one step from the welterweight crown.
In the other fight of the evening, former lightweight king, Duran, had a tough time in decisioning Zeferino "Speedy" Gonzalez in ten rounds.
And in the main event, Larry Holmes, the WBC World Heavyweight Champion of Easton, PA, defeated for the second time top challenger and knockout artist Earnie Shavers of Ohio, this time by an 11th round TKO.
Gomez improves to 26-0-1, with 26 knockout wins. Mendoza, as skillful as he was, never again fought for a world title.
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elmersalsa
- Heavyweight
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Re: The Top 100 Greatest Boxers Pound per Pound of All-Time
After beating top challenger Carlos Mendoza of Panama, Wilfredo Gomez's management team were in talks of a possible super fight matchup against WBC World Featherweight Champion Danny "Little Red" Lopez of Los Angeles, CA.
It was a dream matchup of two great champions that packed the knockout punch. Also, there were rumours that Gomez could not make the weight at 122lbs anymore.
In the Mendoza fight, Gomez weigh in 128lbs just 5 days before the morning weigh in of September 28, 1979. So, a move to Featherweight class was one of his priorities for the year 1980.
It was a dream matchup of two great champions that packed the knockout punch. Also, there were rumours that Gomez could not make the weight at 122lbs anymore.
In the Mendoza fight, Gomez weigh in 128lbs just 5 days before the morning weigh in of September 28, 1979. So, a move to Featherweight class was one of his priorities for the year 1980.
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elmersalsa
- Heavyweight
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- Joined: 02 Feb 2003, 03:50
Re: The Top 100 Greatest Boxers Pound per Pound of All-Time
Wilfredo Gomez, already a fan favorite at the Madison Square Garden by his Puerto Rican fans, came back to New York City at the world's most famous arena in boxing to defend his WBC World Super Bantamweight Championship for the 10th time.
It's the 3rd time that Bazooka fights in New York. All done in the year 1979.
Almost a year gone by after the demolition of his great win against the great Carlos Zarate of Mexico, on Friday, October 26, 1979, three days before his 23rd birthday, Gomez makes his last fight of the year.
The challenger, was American Nicky Perez of Tucson, AZ. Perez, lost his first professional boxing bout in 1977. But since then, he has won his next 39 bouts. His record was an outstanding one of 39-1, with 22 knockouts.
Gomez destroys his rival by a 5th round technical knockout win. And the talks of a dream super showdown with WBC World Featherweight Champion, Danny "Little Red" Lopez of Los Angeles, CA is getting closer and closer for the next year, 1980.
The boxing purists and fans, can't wait. It will be a fight with lots of knockout power from both fighters. Who will win? Who's the favorite? Probably Gomez. But you can't count Little Red out. He was a devastating puncher.
Gomez by winning this fight, ties the all time record of most consecutive title defenses with 10 and most consecutive title bouts won by knockout with 11.
Who did he ties the record? He ties the record of the great Roberto Duran of Panama, the former World Lightweight Champion from 1972 to 1979.
It's the 3rd time that Bazooka fights in New York. All done in the year 1979.
Almost a year gone by after the demolition of his great win against the great Carlos Zarate of Mexico, on Friday, October 26, 1979, three days before his 23rd birthday, Gomez makes his last fight of the year.
The challenger, was American Nicky Perez of Tucson, AZ. Perez, lost his first professional boxing bout in 1977. But since then, he has won his next 39 bouts. His record was an outstanding one of 39-1, with 22 knockouts.
Gomez destroys his rival by a 5th round technical knockout win. And the talks of a dream super showdown with WBC World Featherweight Champion, Danny "Little Red" Lopez of Los Angeles, CA is getting closer and closer for the next year, 1980.
The boxing purists and fans, can't wait. It will be a fight with lots of knockout power from both fighters. Who will win? Who's the favorite? Probably Gomez. But you can't count Little Red out. He was a devastating puncher.
Gomez by winning this fight, ties the all time record of most consecutive title defenses with 10 and most consecutive title bouts won by knockout with 11.
Who did he ties the record? He ties the record of the great Roberto Duran of Panama, the former World Lightweight Champion from 1972 to 1979.
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elmersalsa
- Heavyweight
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- Joined: 02 Feb 2003, 03:50
Re: The Top 100 Greatest Boxers Pound per Pound of All-Time
Gomez improves to 27-0-1, with 27 knockouts.
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elmersalsa
- Heavyweight
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- Joined: 02 Feb 2003, 03:50
Re: The Top 100 Greatest Boxers Pound per Pound of All-Time
The question was, who's Ruben Valdes? Valdes was a black challenger from Colombia. He started his professional boxing career in 1971.
From thence, Valdes won his first 24 fights. He got to be good, right?
Valdes first pro loss was to countryman Nestor Jimenez by technical knockout in 4 rounds in August 1974. Jimenez was a former Wilfredo Gomez's victim, lost to Gomez by a fifth round technical knockout in March 1979 in New York. It was Gomez 7th title defense.
Valdes came with a respectable record of 45-5-1 with 25 knockouts. Among his best wins was a technical knockout performance against former Bantamweight Champion Romeo Anaya of Mexico, and a decision win against his countryman Jose "Pambelito" Cervantes in ten rounds.
Cervantes, as we know is the brother of WBA World Jr Welterweight Champion Antonio Cervantes "Kid Pambele".
A seasoned professional, Valdes got a loss in an attempt to win the WBA World Jr Featherweight Title from his countryman Ricardo Cardona in September 1978. He lost the fight by a 15-round decision.
His title fight with Cardona that year was the first time in Colombian boxing history that 2 boxers from that country disputed a world title fight at any weight class.
The fight with Gomez was in the Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, NV for Gomez's WBC World Super Bantamweight Championship. If Gomez wins, he breaks the record held by the great Roberto Duran of 10 consecutive title defenses won by knockout at any weight class.
The title fight was on Sunday, February 3, 1980, a day after Danny "Little Red" Lopez lost his WBC World Featherweight Crown to future legend and hall of famer Salvador Sanchez of Mexico. So the dream super fight between Gomez and Little Red had to wait.
The fight was a total mismatch. Valdes didn't bring nothing to the table. He was just covering himself like a punching bag was getting blows from all angles. The fight was miraculously and mercifully stopped in 6 rounds.
Gomez is still the WBC World Super Bantamweight Champion and is now the record holder of a champion defending his crown by most consecutive title defenses won by knockout with 11. And he is now the record holder of most consecutive title bouts won by knockout with 12.
From thence, Valdes won his first 24 fights. He got to be good, right?
Valdes first pro loss was to countryman Nestor Jimenez by technical knockout in 4 rounds in August 1974. Jimenez was a former Wilfredo Gomez's victim, lost to Gomez by a fifth round technical knockout in March 1979 in New York. It was Gomez 7th title defense.
Valdes came with a respectable record of 45-5-1 with 25 knockouts. Among his best wins was a technical knockout performance against former Bantamweight Champion Romeo Anaya of Mexico, and a decision win against his countryman Jose "Pambelito" Cervantes in ten rounds.
Cervantes, as we know is the brother of WBA World Jr Welterweight Champion Antonio Cervantes "Kid Pambele".
A seasoned professional, Valdes got a loss in an attempt to win the WBA World Jr Featherweight Title from his countryman Ricardo Cardona in September 1978. He lost the fight by a 15-round decision.
His title fight with Cardona that year was the first time in Colombian boxing history that 2 boxers from that country disputed a world title fight at any weight class.
The fight with Gomez was in the Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, NV for Gomez's WBC World Super Bantamweight Championship. If Gomez wins, he breaks the record held by the great Roberto Duran of 10 consecutive title defenses won by knockout at any weight class.
The title fight was on Sunday, February 3, 1980, a day after Danny "Little Red" Lopez lost his WBC World Featherweight Crown to future legend and hall of famer Salvador Sanchez of Mexico. So the dream super fight between Gomez and Little Red had to wait.
The fight was a total mismatch. Valdes didn't bring nothing to the table. He was just covering himself like a punching bag was getting blows from all angles. The fight was miraculously and mercifully stopped in 6 rounds.
Gomez is still the WBC World Super Bantamweight Champion and is now the record holder of a champion defending his crown by most consecutive title defenses won by knockout with 11. And he is now the record holder of most consecutive title bouts won by knockout with 12.
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elmersalsa
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 15652
- Joined: 02 Feb 2003, 03:50
Re: The Top 100 Greatest Boxers Pound per Pound of All-Time
Gomez improves to 28-0-1 with 28 knockouts.
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elmersalsa
- Heavyweight
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- Joined: 02 Feb 2003, 03:50
Re: The Top 100 Greatest Boxers Pound per Pound of All-Time
There were talks under the radar that the great Puerto Rican champion, Wilfredo "Bazooka" Gomez was having trouble of making the weight at 122lbs.
The other talks were about a possible dream super match with Danny "Little Red" Lopez of Los Angeles, CA if Little Red proves that his loss to future great and hall of famer Salvador Sanchez of Mexico months earlier was really a fluke.
To make matters worse, Gomez was matched with Eddie Ndwuku of Nigeria. Ndwuku was undefeated in 15 fights, and has won 11 by knockout. How can a guy of only 15 fights is ready for a WBC Title Elimination Bout? How did that happened?
Ndwuku only highlight was that he defeated former world champion Davey Kotey of Ghana on points for the African Featherweight Championship. He defeated Kotey by a 15-round decision.
The WBC organization felt that Ndwuku was ready for such a match.
It was Sunday, April 27, 1980 at the Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The winner of this match fights the winner of Sanchez vs Little Red Lopez rematch in June 1980.
From the beginning, the fight was a disaster. It was like a professional fighting an amateur. A lamb ready for the slaughter of a wolf like Bazooka.
In the second round, Gomez hit the Nigerian with a left uppercut. Ndwuku went down. At almost at the end of that same round Gomez drops the Nigerian with a left hook. The fight was sealed right there.
Ndwuku didn't had nothing to offer in round 3. The fight was over when Ndwuku fell twice more in round 4. It was all of the fans in San Juan saw. They saw enough. Even in Ndwuku's third trip to the canvas, was so scary because he looked like he was going out of the ropes and fall in the ringside seats. Gomez made the act of mercy and like a good Samaritan saved Ndwuku from falling off the ring. It was an act of kind gesture that the crowd even applauded Gomez's goodwill actions.
When Ndwuku fell down for the 4th time, referee Ray Solis, also from Puerto Rico saw enough, and halt the bout. Ndwuku was going to be brutalized just to be fair honest.
Gomez, 23, improves to 29-0-1 with 29 knockouts. He is in next for the winner between Sanchez and Lopez rematch.
My question was, the WBC could not match Gomez with a better fighter? Why they didn't match him with top featherweight contenders like Ruben Castillo of Phoenix, AZ or Patrick Ford of Guyana? Why not Juan LaPorte who was a top contender at featherweight at the time?
I think that the WBC played safe and did a disservice to boxing for even this fight to happen. This fight was murder at first degree. And then Ndwuku has something written in his contract that if he loses to Gomez, there should be a rematch. Are you serious? Was this a joke? Does he cares for his life? Is he crazy? That fight didn't earn a shot for a rematch. It got to be impossible!
Ndwuku loses for the first time and it was in a butchery fashion. He dropped to 15-1, with 11 knockouts.
The other talks were about a possible dream super match with Danny "Little Red" Lopez of Los Angeles, CA if Little Red proves that his loss to future great and hall of famer Salvador Sanchez of Mexico months earlier was really a fluke.
To make matters worse, Gomez was matched with Eddie Ndwuku of Nigeria. Ndwuku was undefeated in 15 fights, and has won 11 by knockout. How can a guy of only 15 fights is ready for a WBC Title Elimination Bout? How did that happened?
Ndwuku only highlight was that he defeated former world champion Davey Kotey of Ghana on points for the African Featherweight Championship. He defeated Kotey by a 15-round decision.
The WBC organization felt that Ndwuku was ready for such a match.
It was Sunday, April 27, 1980 at the Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The winner of this match fights the winner of Sanchez vs Little Red Lopez rematch in June 1980.
From the beginning, the fight was a disaster. It was like a professional fighting an amateur. A lamb ready for the slaughter of a wolf like Bazooka.
In the second round, Gomez hit the Nigerian with a left uppercut. Ndwuku went down. At almost at the end of that same round Gomez drops the Nigerian with a left hook. The fight was sealed right there.
Ndwuku didn't had nothing to offer in round 3. The fight was over when Ndwuku fell twice more in round 4. It was all of the fans in San Juan saw. They saw enough. Even in Ndwuku's third trip to the canvas, was so scary because he looked like he was going out of the ropes and fall in the ringside seats. Gomez made the act of mercy and like a good Samaritan saved Ndwuku from falling off the ring. It was an act of kind gesture that the crowd even applauded Gomez's goodwill actions.
When Ndwuku fell down for the 4th time, referee Ray Solis, also from Puerto Rico saw enough, and halt the bout. Ndwuku was going to be brutalized just to be fair honest.
Gomez, 23, improves to 29-0-1 with 29 knockouts. He is in next for the winner between Sanchez and Lopez rematch.
My question was, the WBC could not match Gomez with a better fighter? Why they didn't match him with top featherweight contenders like Ruben Castillo of Phoenix, AZ or Patrick Ford of Guyana? Why not Juan LaPorte who was a top contender at featherweight at the time?
I think that the WBC played safe and did a disservice to boxing for even this fight to happen. This fight was murder at first degree. And then Ndwuku has something written in his contract that if he loses to Gomez, there should be a rematch. Are you serious? Was this a joke? Does he cares for his life? Is he crazy? That fight didn't earn a shot for a rematch. It got to be impossible!
Ndwuku loses for the first time and it was in a butchery fashion. He dropped to 15-1, with 11 knockouts.
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elmersalsa
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 15652
- Joined: 02 Feb 2003, 03:50
Re: The Top 100 Greatest Boxers Pound per Pound of All-Time
American Boxing media in general had a campaign to promote young boxers into making them super stars of the sport.
If a guy has won a gold medal in the Olympics, like for example, Sugar Ray Leonard, American Boxing and media did their earnest to back up the young fighter and somehow promote him into winning a world title no matter the weight class.
If you were American and had an excellent or far extraordinary boxing amateur career, the young gun would quickly earn a title shot as quick as possible.
By 1980, good American boxers that had excellent and outstanding amateur boxing careers were on the lookout for American TV audiences to get the glory, fame and most of all, the big bucks in this hard profession.
In that same year, 1980, six American young boxers, who had extraordinary amateur careers, became world champions: Hilmer Kenty (WBA World Lightweight), Leon Randolph (WBA World Jr Featherweight), Jeff Chandler (WBA World Bantamweight), Thomas "The Hitman" Hearns (WBA World Welterweight) and Aaron Pryor (WBA World Jr Welterweight). America's Darling, Leonard, was dethroned of his WBC World Welterweight crown by the great Roberto Duran of Panama in a brutal affair in Montreal, Canada in June 1980. But, Leonard, not to be behind his peers, was already in rematch talks against Duran.
It was something that wasn't seen in American Boxing in a very long time. Since then, about the beginning of 1969, the sport of professional and amateur boxing was dominated mostly and mainly by Latin fighters.
By the end of 1980, you can add Leonard into the mix, and also WBC World Heavyweight Champion Larry Holmes, WBA World Heavyweight Champion Mike Weaver, WBA World Light-heavyweight Champion Eddie Mustapha Muhammad, WBC World Light-heavyweight Champion Matthew Saad Muhammad and the great, the one and only Marvelous Marvin Hagler who was the only undisputed world champion of the whole bunch by dethroning by technical knockout in 3 against Alan Minter in London, England, for the World Middleweight Championship.
In all, United States had 12 boxing world champions by the end of 1980. Only Randolph, lost his WBA World Jr Featherweight Title.
If a guy has won a gold medal in the Olympics, like for example, Sugar Ray Leonard, American Boxing and media did their earnest to back up the young fighter and somehow promote him into winning a world title no matter the weight class.
If you were American and had an excellent or far extraordinary boxing amateur career, the young gun would quickly earn a title shot as quick as possible.
By 1980, good American boxers that had excellent and outstanding amateur boxing careers were on the lookout for American TV audiences to get the glory, fame and most of all, the big bucks in this hard profession.
In that same year, 1980, six American young boxers, who had extraordinary amateur careers, became world champions: Hilmer Kenty (WBA World Lightweight), Leon Randolph (WBA World Jr Featherweight), Jeff Chandler (WBA World Bantamweight), Thomas "The Hitman" Hearns (WBA World Welterweight) and Aaron Pryor (WBA World Jr Welterweight). America's Darling, Leonard, was dethroned of his WBC World Welterweight crown by the great Roberto Duran of Panama in a brutal affair in Montreal, Canada in June 1980. But, Leonard, not to be behind his peers, was already in rematch talks against Duran.
It was something that wasn't seen in American Boxing in a very long time. Since then, about the beginning of 1969, the sport of professional and amateur boxing was dominated mostly and mainly by Latin fighters.
By the end of 1980, you can add Leonard into the mix, and also WBC World Heavyweight Champion Larry Holmes, WBA World Heavyweight Champion Mike Weaver, WBA World Light-heavyweight Champion Eddie Mustapha Muhammad, WBC World Light-heavyweight Champion Matthew Saad Muhammad and the great, the one and only Marvelous Marvin Hagler who was the only undisputed world champion of the whole bunch by dethroning by technical knockout in 3 against Alan Minter in London, England, for the World Middleweight Championship.
In all, United States had 12 boxing world champions by the end of 1980. Only Randolph, lost his WBA World Jr Featherweight Title.