Exclusive Boxing Interview: Alfonso Gomez

Click for larger image © Jim Everett Saddo Boxing

When television’s “The Contender” series first aired, there were mixed emotions. Those who were old school fans of the sport turned their heads away, saying “Real fighters don’t need a reality show”. The casual viewer of the sport seemed intrigued at the series. It gave a genuine account to some point of what the life of a professional fighter was really like.

Yet, be it die hard fan or occasional viewer of boxing itself, we all tuned in to watch during that first season to see what would happen next.

After leaving the show, many of the participants went on with their lives outside of boxing, since their last ditch effort at making the big time failed. Those who continued boxing have taken up exactly where their careers left off before joining the series. In relative obscurity, except for a chosen few.

Peter Manfredo Jr is, or should I say was, perhaps the best known fighter of the lot when season one began. He had held a version of a minor title and in the New England area, his family had made a name for themselves as local fighters throughout the years. The second contestant of season one who has gone on to what I consider bigger things is Alfonso Gomez.

California resident Gomez, 17-3-2 (8), is perhaps one the sport’s best kept secrets. With an accurate jab and pin point counter punching ability, Alfonso has sent everyone in the boxing world the message of “underestimate me and I will beat you!” It’s a message that is slowly being heard around the world.

SaddoBoxing had the chance to talk with Alfonso earlier this evening about the Gatti win, his time on “The Contender”, what is next for him and more. Read it exclusively here on SaddoBoxing.

SaddoBoxing: Congratulations on your big win last week; how do you feel?

Alfonso Gomez: “Thank You. I feel good. I have been relaxing, eating.”

SB: Eating?

AG: “Well you know, I was on a diet training for the fight. I had to eat a lot of salads and that. I am not out eating doughnuts and things, just real food. Not having to worry about every single thing.”

SB: How does it feel winning so decisively, on not only HBO, but a triple header at that. It was a big card that had high ratings.

AG: “Feels great. It was a great opportunity for me. HBO, Gatti and his team, my manager. They all worked very hard for this fight.”

SB: You started your career as a welterweight. You have fought as a junior middle and middleweight. Last Saturday is perhaps one of the best performances that I have seen you in. Are there plans to stay at 147 or are you moving back up?

AG: “No, I plan on staying at 147 lb. That’s where I started and that’s where I like fighting at. I went to 154 and then to middleweight for the show. I mean, for the chance to win $1,000,000? To be honest, if the opportunity came along again, I would take it. Other than that though, I would only consider moving up as high as 154 if the fight was big enough.”

SB: Did you have any problems making 147?

AG: “No, not at all, I just pushed myself a little more. It was not really a problem. I felt bigger, stronger and faster at 147. So, that is where I am going to stay for now.”

SB: Do you think the moving up and down in weight over the last few years has hurt you as far as ranking are concerned? Due to the fact that you haven’t really been in one division long enough to stake a claim.

AG: “Not really. The only time I actually moved up again was for The Contender series. My other fights were at welterweight and that’s where I back at . So, I don’t think it has been affected much.”

SB: Was it hard going to Atlantic City and fighting Arturo? It is his home venue and whenever Gatti fights there, it is, with out a doubt, a pro Gatti crowd. How did that effect you, if at all?

AG: “I was surprised a bit. I was booed on the way to the ring. I can understand that he is the hometown guy and all ,but some of the things people were saying. I was hearing things like “This is the real world, reality star” I was surprised, I never dealt with that before.”

SB: I can understand after the fight if they were upset, but this was on the way into the ring?

AG: “Yeah, that’s why I was so surprised. After the fight, people were actually nicer. They were congratulating me, asking for autographs. I think they understood it was just a job that I was there for and I did my job well.”

SB: You have said in a few interviews that you liked fighting in the UK. Seeing how business in Europe has been picking up in all the weight classes, do you have any intentions on returning there?

AG: “Not right now. I would only go there for a big fight. Maybe a fight with Ricky Hatton if he offered it. I think that would be a great fight.”

SB: Since you stated that you were going to be staying at 147, let’s bring up the talent pool there for a minute. Currently we have Paul Williams with the WBO title, Kermit Cintron with the IBF, Miguel Cotto with the WBA and Floyd Mayweather still holding the WBC.

Add the fact that Shane Mosley has the WBC interim title, Oscar De La Hoya is rumored to be making an appearance at 147 and Ike Quartey is rumored to be dropping back down to 147. We suddenly have the most talented division in boxing. That does not even include the ranked fighters outside of that group. Who would you like to have a fight with, out of the group mentioned, if possible, to pick your opponent?

AG: “Well, Oscar would be my first choice. I think that fight would be a big draw.”

SB: I think everyone wants a fight with Oscar. Considering no matter who you are, you fight De La Hoya and it is a guaranteed big payday.

AG: “That’s for sure, but to be honest, it is a hard choice between them all. You have Miguel Cotto, who is knocking everyone he faces out. Cintron is a strong, hard hitting guy. Margarito, even though he lost his title to Williams, I don’t count him out, he will be back. Shane Mosley is a living legend. So, it is hard to choose.”

SB: Like I mentioned before last week at the Gatti fight, you looked the best I have seen you. You were not just quicker but you looked much stronger then in the past. Do you think that the experience of fighting larger guys recently is an advantage to you.? Coming back down, you are throwing harder as if you were still fighting middleweights. Will you become more of a puncher now in your style?

AG: “I am still more of a boxer I am not a puncher. I am going to keep my style the same. I don’t consider myself a really hard hitter. I have a high connect percentage. I think I wear my opponents down with accuracy. I make sure I go upstairs and downstairs. It is the accumulation of punishment that gets the knockouts, not one big shot.”

SB: Where do you see yourself in a year?

AG: “I want to have a few fights against some other up and coming fighters. I want to see where I am at. Get comfortable. After that, go towards a world title.”

SB: Is there anything that you want to say to your supporters?

AG: “I just want to say ‘Thank You’ for all the support, thanks to everyone who showed support on my website, thanks to all the people who once doubted me, but are now fans, I want to thank my team who has been behind me the whole way and thanks to my manager for being behind me and helping me get to where I am now.”

SB: On behalf of SaddoBoxing, thanks for your time Alfonso and good luck in the future.

AG: “Thank You.”