© Jim Everett / Saddo Boxing
Tonight, Alfonso Gomez, 18-3-2 (8), will be stepping in the ring with WBA Welterweight Champion Miguel Cotto, 31- 0 (25), for what will be his first opportunity at capturing a world title. Gomez, who made a name for himself on NBCʼs Contender series, has become more than a reality TV star and is perhaps the most successful cast member of that show.
Season one winner Sergio Mora has fought only three times against very limited competition, and although he has a shot at Vernon Forrest’s WBC 154 pound title this June, he has really failed to make a dent in his boxing career. By contrast, Gomez has beaten fighters such as former two division world champion Arturo Gatti, in what was Gattiʼs last bout, and more recently, world title challenger Ben Tackie.
Gomez has been dubbed a continuous underdog each time that he has stepped up in class, but in every instance, he has silenced his criticʼs. The question on everyoneʼs mind now is “Can Gomez once again prove the criticʼs wrong?” After all, Miguel Cotto is no Arturo Gatti or Ben Tackie. Cotto is undefeated and considered one of boxingʼs current pound for pound best fighters in the world. Cotto is also one of the sportʼs most feared punchers. When you add them together, Gomez starts looking like an even bigger underdog than usual. (more…)
