Antonio Gomez ~ "El Leon de Cumana"

[Bill Paxtom]

Thursday ~ September 5, 1970

'Olympic Auditorium' ~ Los Angeles, California

~ Featherweight Clash ~

NABF Featherweight Championship

* Antonio Gomez ~ 29-2-0 {12 KO's} ~ 5' 6" ~ 125 lbs. ~ {Age; 25 years, 0 months}
vs.
* Fernando Sotello ~ 34-10-1 {21 KO's} ~ 5' 7 1/2' ~ 126 lbs. {Age; 28 years, 5 months}
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This bout was 'sanctioned' as NABF Championship Bout.

Fernando Sotello is the Mexican Featherweight Champion, as is ranked at #7 Ring Magazine.

The dangerous-punching Mexican is managed by Lupe Sanchez.

The fighters signed for signed contacts for this bout on August 28th.
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~ The Skinny ~

Fernando Sotello is coming off '3' straight impressive Knockout wins;
* December 7, 1969 ....... {KO 7} ~ Lionel Rose
* March 22, 1970 ........... {TKO 10} ~ Vicente Garcia
* August 5, 1970 ............ {KO 1} ~ Cesar Sinda

Fernando also has wins over;
* March 7, 1969 ............ {TKO 5} ~ Alfredo Marcano
* January 24, 1969 ........ {W Split-Dec 10} ~ Dwight Hawkins

And as a 'kicker', Fernando has win {W Split-Dec 10} over Antonio's older brother Pedro Gomez,
and he did it in Caracas, Venezuela > 3-Years earlier on September 2, 1967.

[Bill Paxtom]

Thursday ~ September 5, 1970

'Olympic Auditorium' ~ Los Angeles, California


~ Gomez Halts Sotelo In '9th' At Olympic Auditorium ~

~ Venezuelan - Antonio Gomez Captures NABF Featherweight Belt ~

Venezuelan - Antonio Gomez displayed his punching-power tonight, as he demolished
Mexican Featherweight Champion - Fernando Sotelo by TKO at 2:17 of Round 9.

Both fighters were cautious early, as each was wary of the others punching-power. But in
Round 4, Gomez {125 3/4 lbs.} 'exploded' a right-hand into the face of Sotelo {124 lbs.},
sending him to the canvas, where he received the 'Mandatory 8-Count'.

But despite the 'knockdown', the Venezuelan needed '5' more Rounds, before catching
Sotelo with a 'barrage-of-punches' in the later-session of Round 9, where Referee -
Dick Young jumped in to halt the 'now' one-sided bout.

[Bill Paxtom]

Thursday ~ October 6, 1970

Plaza de Toros {Downtown Bull Ring} ~ Tijuana, Baja California

* Antonio Gomez - 30-2-0 {13 KO's} ~ 127 lbs. ~ 5' 6" ~ {Age; 25 years, 1-months}
vs.
* Julio Cesar Segura - 27-5-2 {14 KO's} ~ 124 lbs. ~ 5' 5"

The #2 WBA-ranked Featherweight - Antonio Gomez {who's been training in Los Angeles}
travels to Tijuana, Baja California for an 'off-bout', while waiting to sign contracts for a
WBA Title bout.

Julio Cesar Segura is a 24 year-old {7-Year Professional} from Durango, Mexico who is
a capable Featherweight.
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~ Gomez Bombs-Away In Tijuana ~

In front of 7000 fans Thursday Night at the 'Plaza de Toros' {Bull-Ring}, Antonio Gomez
blasted out Julio Cesar Segura in Round 5.

The Venezuelan was simply the better boxer here, and out-classed the ever-trying
Mexican, who had the will but not the skill.

Gomez toyed with Segura throughout, and had Segura on the canvas from a fast 'left-right'
mid-way through Round 4.

In Round 5, Gomez plowed forward and hit the Mexican with everything, finally dropping
him with a right-hook the chin, where Segura was counted out at {0:54} of the Round.

Antonio Gomez improves to 31-2-0 with {14 KO's}.

[Bill Paxtom]

Monday ~ December 14, 1970

Nuevo Circo ~ Caracas, Venezuela

* Antonio Gomez - 31-2-0 {14 KO's} ~ 5' 6" ~ 128 lbs. ~ {Age; 25 years, 3 months}
vs.
* Juan Collado - 28-6-2 {10 KO's} ~ 5' 6" ~ 128 lbs. ~ {Age; 23 years, 7 months}
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~ The Skinny ~

Antonio Gomez is now the 'Mandatory Challenger' for the WBA Featherweight Division.

For Antonio, this will be his 1st-Bout in his home country of Venezuela in 1-Year, since
November 10, 1969 > as he had been campaigning in California {3-Bouts} and Mexico
{2-Bouts} to get more North American exposure.

Juan Collado is a Super-Featherweight from the Dominican Republic, and is a good little
fighter who is a fan favorite because of his willingness to stay in there at trade punches.

Juan moved from Miami Beach, Florida to Los Angles in May 1970, and has had '6-Bouts' on
the West-Coast over the past 7-Months, including '5' at the 'Olympic Auditorium'.

Juan Collado is trained by none other than > Angelo Dundee.
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~ Antonio Gomez In 'Workman-Like' Win Over Juan Collado ~

Antonio Gomez fought a steady and 'medium-speed' paced fight to win a convincing 10-Round
Decision over 'pesky' Juan Collado of the Dominican Republic.

The 'talented' and Top-Rated Feathwerweight used a steady sharp left-jab, and an occasional
right-cross to keep the visitor on the defensive throughout most to the bout.

Neither fighter was hurt during the bout, and there were only a few 'brisk-exchanges'.

The Caracas Newspapers called it in Rounds for Antonio Gomez {7-1} with 2 Rounds 'Even'.

[Bill Paxtom]

January 10, 1971

'Billed as a WBA Eliminator'

Antonio Gomez - 32-2-0 {14 KO's} ~ 5' 6" ~ 128 1/2 lbs. ~ {Age; 25 years, 4 months}
vs.
Ray Vega 38-7-1 {22 KO's} ~ 5' 6 1/2" ~ 129 lbs. ~ {Age; 26 years, 11 months}
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

~ The Skinny ~

Antonio Gomez is the 'mandatory' WBA Challenger for the Featherweight Division, but
the WBA 'mandates' this bout as an 'Eliminator', despite both fighters being over the
126 lb. Featherweight limit.

Ray 'Ray Gun' Vega is a big right-hand swinging Mexican 'slugger' who has been
competing as a Super-Featherweight. The Mexican is ranked as the #12 WBA
Super-Featherweight and #11 WBC Super-Featherweight.

'Ray Gun' has been a Professional since 1962 {Age; 17}, and the 9-Year Pro recently
scored a 'major upset] when he won by a {Majority Dec. 10} over Top 10 ranked Venezuelan
Alfredo Marcano at the 'Olympic Auditorium' on June 25, 1970.

In the 'rematch' with Alfredo Marcano, 'Ray Ray' was just barely edged out by a {Split Dec 10}
to the Venezuelan at the 'Olympic Auditorium' on September 17, 1970.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

~ Antonio Gomez Wails On Ray Vega, Halts Mexican Foe in 7 ~

Top-ranked WBA Featherweight - Antonio Gomez used a variety of right-crosses and right-hooks
to jar his Mexican opponent - Ray Vega in the early going.

Gomez had the hard-punching and big-swinging Mexican in trouble in Rounds 4 and 5, after
landing hard right-hands to Vega's jaw.

Gomez came out with 'blistering attack' in Round 6, and soon had Vega on the deck for a '3-Count'
after catching him with a solid right-cross to the jaw. The Venezuelan continued with his dominance
for the rest of the Round, and had Vega bloodied in the mouth at the Bell.

In Round 7 the battering continued immediately, and Vega was down again after taking '3' hard rights
to the head.

The tough' Mexican rose and wanted to continue. But he was met by another barrage, and went down from
a seri'es of right-hands, only to be counted out at 0:54 of Round 7.

[Bill Paxtom]

February 28, 1971

UPI ~ Antonio Gomez Will Fight For The WBA Featherweight Championship In Caracas, Venezuela ~

The #1 WBA-ranked Featherweight - Antonio Gomez will fight for the WBA Championship in his home country
of Venezuela, and most likely within 90-Days, and no later than May 28th.

WBA Champion - Shozo Saijo will defend his Championship for the '5th-time' when he meets Challenger
Frankie Crawford for the Championship tonight in Tochigi, Japan.

Shozo Saijo defeated Frankie Crawford by a {Majority Dec 15} last-year, on July 5, 1970 in a hotly contested
WBA Championship Bout.

WBA President - Dr. Elias Cordova stated that the winner of the Shozo Saijo vs. Frankie Crawford bout must
defend the WBA Championship against Antonio Gomez with 90-Days or the Title will be declared vacant.

[Bill Paxtom]

February 28, 1971

~ Shozo Saijo Tops Frankie Crawford, Keeps Title ~

WBA Featherweight Champin - Shozo Saijo had to overcome a rough early going, as he was
staggered by a left-hand from Challenger - Frankie Crawford in Round 4.

But the 'reed-thin' WBA Champion from Japan took control in Round 7, as he scored with
repeated left-jabs and sharp right-hand crosses onto the ever-pressing Californian. The
Champion swept '4-of-the-last-5' Rounds to win a Unanimous 15-Round Decision, and
retain his WBA Championship for the '5th' Time.

Scorecards
* 72-70 = {5-3-7 in Rounds}
* 73-70 = {5-2-8 in Rounds}
* 72-69 = {6-3-6 in Rounds}
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~ Antonio Gomez > "OK, I'm next." ~

The WBA Featherweight Championship bout is set for May 28, 1971 in
Caracas, Venezuela.

Antonio Gomez >
"I've been waiting since September 1970 {6-Months}. That is a long time to
be the 'Mandatory Challenger' and then see someone else get a chance over me."