Manuel \”Shotgun\” Gomez: Will He Ever Get Another Title Shot?

Translated from Spanish to English by Sergio Martinez.

On May 6, 2005, live from the Ft. McDowell Casino in Fountain Hill, Arizona, the main event, which will be televised on Telefutura’s “Solo Boxeo” series, will feature perennial welterweight contender Manuel “Shotgun” Gomez (27-10-1 with 19 KOs). Gomez was originally slated to face the come backing Antonio Diaz, but this writer ran into “Shotgun” during this past weekend’s “Night of the Olympians” show in Laredo, Texas, and he said, “it seems that Diaz has backed out of the fight. I don’t know why, but the other name that is being mentioned for the fight is Puerto Rican Wilfredo Negron (24-8-0 with 19 KOs), who is scheduled to fight on Telefutura the week after, on May 13.” A visibly frustrated Gomez said, “I’m tired of opponents always backing out, and none of the so called champions wanting to fight me. I was in Las Vegas when Margarito (Antonio) embarrassed Cintron (Kermit). Why the hell was that fight even made? Who had Cintron fought to earn that? The reason guys like him (Cintron) are undefeated is because they fight a bunch of losers! Then, he (Cintron) steps up a little bit, and gets knocked out with a few slaps to the face. Those weren’t hard punches Margarito landed. I would have put Cintron to sleep with my power. People use the ten losses on my record as an excuse to avoid me. The reason for those losses is because I’ve fought everyone, and taken a lot of fights on short notice out of financial need. Also, I’ve fought a lot of fighters in their hometowns, and have been robbed several times. While at the press conference after the fight (Margarito vs. Cintron), I challenged Margarito to step up and fight me. He had no response. I think he’s scared to fight me. I’ll knock him out!”

A title shot for “Shotgun” would represent his second challenge for a championship. His first opportunity, which was on November 25, 1997, was for the IBF lightweight title against “Sugar” Shane Mosley. In a fight which Mosley was pushed to the limit, at a weight in which he is regarded as one of the all time greats, Gomez showed that he is able to compete at the highest level of the sport. After fighting on even terms with “Sugar” Shane over eleven rounds, “Shotgun” got caught with a perfect right hand counter that floored him. The game Mexican rose to his feet, only to be swarmed by Mosley, prompting the referee to call a halt to the bout.

Manuel felt that his strong showing would afford him more opportunities for big fights, but management problems would result in long stretches of inactivity. His name would soon be forgotten, and his status would be relegated to that of a journeyman. That status would slowly start to change in March 2001, when “Shotgun” outfought former WBC lightweight champion Miguel Angel Gonzalez over ten grueling rounds to take a split decision victory. Three months later, the tide seemed to really take a turn for the best as Gomez was signed by Don King Promotions, and was put in against the then undefeated up and comer Kofi Jantuah (at the time 21-0-0 with 11 KOs).

In what ended up being the Ring Magazine’s welterweight fight of the year for 2001, Gomez would fight on even terms with Jantuah, seriously hurting the African several time. In the tenth and final round, “Shotgun” would take the fight out of the judge’s hands as he landed the perfect left hook to Kofi’s chin, knocking the African out with about one minute and fifteen seconds left. One would think that back-to-back wins over two top fighters would be enough to start moving up and fighting bigger fights, but instead, Gomez would be left out of the title picture by his own promoter, and eventually released from his contract.

In 2003, while fighting in McAllen, Texas, “Shotgun” would draw the attention of Top Rank, and eventually signed a promotional contract with the company. He is currently ranked the number four welterweight contender by Ring Magazine, and the WBC, and is undefeated in his last eleven fights, which includes the Gonzalez and Jantuah victories. He continues to win in exciting and impressive fashion, as “Shotgun” is an all out action fighter that always gives fans a great fight. Who knows if Top Rank will ever be able to get this ageing contender the opportunity to realize his dreams of becoming a world champion. Gomez is no spring chicken, as he will turn thirty-three years old in June of this year.

So, on May 6, 2005, Manuel will, once again, step into the ring and give an exciting, fan friendly fight. If all goes well, he will be victorious, and will probably continue to labor in obscurity, waiting to see if anyone is willing to give him the opportunity he has so rightfully earned. Hey, it happened to “Fearless” Freddie Pendleton, and Saoul Mamby, who both had multiple losses on their ledgers when they won world titles. Maybe, one day soon, the name Manuel “Shotgun” Gomez will also be mentioned along with fighters like that.

Sergio Martinez can be reached at srg_mrtnz@yahoo.com