BoxRec

Thought I'd better kick this off as I was one of the biggest critics of this match-up, and while I still think it should never have been made given Khan's aspirations, I have to take the opportunity to pay tribute to Gomez - what a warrior.
Stegsie, serve me up some humble pie my friend, as Gomez showed unbelievable heart and fortitude out there - really went to the well in every sense and I was glad that such a proud warrior was able to finish on his feet.
A fitting end to a great career as despite losing he can walk out of that arena with his head held high, knowing he's earned the respect of every true boxing fan.

I'll be honest. I'm a fan of Khan because of his style and what he could do for British boxing, but I was rooting for Gomez.

Gomez is a warrior.

I agree with what you say Deserter.... but I don't think this is the end of Gomez quite yet - surely its a natural now to have Gomez vs Mitchell for comparison.

Yeah I agree.

I thought Gomez was finished after the Johanneson fight, but proved his heart and determination against a much bigger man tonight. He is definitely one of the most entertaining fighters we've had on these shores.

I thought Gomez would go out like Earl. Delighted to be proven wrong.

Gomez really did his fans proud tonight. I didn't just take it he dished it out as well.

Yes I said 1/2 rounds for this tops and laughed contemptuously when Mcuigan suggested before the fight that Earl was more shot than Gomez currently is.

Gomez did himself proud, I have nought against Amir but was on the edge of my seat wiling Gomez on, urging him to land just 'one more' in the same part of the body just to see if Khan would unravel.... Just find one more shot...

Goz wrote:Yes I said 1/2 rounds for this tops and laughed contemptuously when Mcuigan suggested before the fight that Earl was more shot than Gomez currently is.

...

I didn't, heard Earl speak recently BEFORE fighting its worrying that he is carrying on.

Hats off to Gomez... a real warrior... but he is a 'shot' fighter and really did what he did through sheer heart... the fact that he gave Khan so much trouble should set alarm bells ringing with his people... Amir seems to have little chin... now we know why Khan wont fight Jon Thaxton...

Gomez's reflexes and defence have been badly eroded. I think he's in real danger every fight he steps in that ring. He does look shot, but this was a good performance tonight. Don't like to see someone take the flush punches time and time again like he did v Khan and Johanesson (how odd that Johanesson would do so much better than Khan v Gomez, BTW). Gomez seems to take head jerking shot after head jerking shot. But somehow he marches through that pain barrier and draws on his experience. Carl Thompson was similar. Balance shot to bits, getting wobbled all the time, and yet he gets stoppages of Rothmann and Haye. Gomez and Thompson have the warrior mentality.

He's always been inconsistent. But he's been inspired at times, stopping Arthur and Kirakosyan. One of the main fighters in the Manchester boxing scene of the mid/late 90s - a precurser to Hatton. Good fighter, with a memorable career, and a compelling story all the way.

Valiant effort, and went out on his shield.

Just watched his interview on ITV and he's off back down to super featherweight (lol says it all really)

What a brave effort that from Gomez.Full credit to the guy, he soaked up so much punishment but his heart just carried him through.

Quote of the year from mike "he's a world class fighter with world class Vulnerabilities"

Quote- " I'm a super featherweight, not a lightweight. "

Honest, but still- WE know it, HE knows it, Khan knows it- but at the end of the day he took the fight.

I actually think its a bit of a shame for him that he did- a little too much of a gamble fighting a guy at a higher weight, he may well have had a better chance of finishing his career on a high at super feather. Still, can't begrudge him his payday (ie he desevered it)

Great Warrior.

Hope he finishes on a win

whicker wrote:Quote- " I'm a super featherweight, not a lightweight. "

I actually think its a bit of a shame for him that he did- a little too much of a gamble fighting a guy at a higher weight, he may well have had a better chance of finishing his career on a high at super feather. Still, can't begrudge him his payday (ie he desevered it)

Thought the opposite, big tv appearence and the chance to stick two fingers up at the boxing anoraks who said he was finished, again. That fight in front of 10,000 people and a huge terrestrial TV audience is worth 100 yousef al hamidis at a sports centre in wigan on channel m. Boxing is all about the big occassion, and after youve been to the big occassion it must be hard to motivate yourself.

Autobarn wrote:Gomez's reflexes and defence have been badly eroded. I think he's in real danger every fight he steps in that ring. He does look shot, but this was a good performance tonight. Don't like to see someone take the flush punches time and time again like he did v Khan and Johanesson (how odd that Johanesson would do so much better than Khan v Gomez, BTW). Gomez seems to take head jerking shot after head jerking shot. But somehow he marches through that pain barrier and draws on his experience. Carl Thompson was similar. Balance shot to bits, getting wobbled all the time, and yet he gets stoppages of Rothmann and Haye. Gomez and Thompson have the warrior mentality.

He's always been inconsistent. But he's been inspired at times, stopping Arthur and Kirakosyan. One of the main fighters in the Manchester boxing scene of the mid/late 90s - a precurser to Hatton. Good fighter, with a memorable career, and a compelling story all the way.

Yeah I dont like to see the head shots that he's taking in every fight now... thing is he hasnt the reflexes anymore to ride the shots, let alone dodge them... if he could have put a combination together tonight he would have beaten Khan I think... great heart by Gomez but Khan cant take a punch... simple as that... and Gomez was never more than good domestic class even at his best...

I was getting all excited when Gomez had Khan down, but he was too slow and didn't have great accuracy when Khan was hurt. He showed an amazing heart and even though he's a cock and balls outside of the ring, he's one of the best to watch inside it - he gives his all and has one hell of a chin on him. I hope he gets a shot at someone like Mitchell or Foster after he hopefully beats McDonagh (which he should). I firmly believe that Gomez could still make a few quid and should carry on for a few more fights.

Covered himself in glory yet again.

A true warrior.

Autobarn wrote:Gomez's reflexes and defence have been badly eroded. I think he's in real danger every fight he steps in that ring. He does look shot, but this was a good performance tonight. Don't like to see someone take the flush punches time and time again like he did v Khan and Johanesson (how odd that Johanesson would do so much better than Khan v Gomez, BTW). Gomez seems to take head jerking shot after head jerking shot. But somehow he marches through that pain barrier and draws on his experience. Carl Thompson was similar. Balance shot to bits, getting wobbled all the time, and yet he gets stoppages of Rothmann and Haye. Gomez and Thompson have the warrior mentality.

He's always been inconsistent. But he's been inspired at times, stopping Arthur and Kirakosyan. One of the main fighters in the Manchester boxing scene of the mid/late 90s - a precurser to Hatton. Good fighter, with a memorable career, and a compelling story all the way.

I've watched the Khan fight again, and I don't agree.

Khan was never in any danger of being stopped and only lost the 2nd round 10-9 - cause he dominated aside from the KD.

Johannesson lost some rounds vs Gomez.

Big difference between the Gomez of now and years ago is that he is now a 4 round fighter. He had one moment in the 4th with the Body shot vs Khan, but Khan recovered quickly and Gomez was done. The snap was waining from his punches.

He did himself proud, i was just worried that he'd get humiliated and it looked that might happen in the first.I found myself wondering if Gomez was not as shot as thought but realised that this is just what Khan looks like against a 10 years older, pretty much shot, much smaller but determined tough guy who came to win.

It just goes to show how much perceptions can be shaped by 'skilful' match making (SN style).

Perhaps Warren might risk putting Kevin Mitchell in with Gomez at 130?

Or would he be unwilling for a couple reasons?......

Its unlikely but maybe Gomez could still upset that applecart OR Mitchell could do a better job on Gomez than Khan did and it obviously wouldn't reflect well on the jewel in Warren's crown.

The handspeed cannot be denied but it did'nt look to me that Khan hit Michael any harder than Johanssen did

Gomez has had the respect of boxing fans for a very long time now .. so nothing new there.

We knew he had a warriors heart and would give all he had for as long as he could .. sadly he cannot give his all for more than a few rnds anymore .. this is why I always said this match-up was dangerous and disgusting.. Gomez was always going to go out on his shield...everybody knew he`d be swinging like a good-un for a few rnds then start absorbing the big counters before getting bashed up.

He did better than Frank and Khan expected/wanted .. but it still went to plan didn`t it

Michael Gomez will always be remembered with respect.

Gomez is one of my faves, excellent warrior with a MASSIVE heart who gives everything in the ring (exc McDonagh). Respect!

Can't wait for his film to come out.

Quote- " I'm a super featherweight, not a lightweight. "

Not a Khan fan but Super feather and Lightweight only have a 5 pound weight difference, hardly that huge.