Antonio Gomez ~ "El Leon de Cumana"

[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.
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~ 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."

[Bill Paxtom]

May 16, 1971

~ WBA Championship Bout Put On Hold ~

The scheduled May 28, 1971 WBA Championship Bot between Champion - Shozo Saijo
of Japan and #1 WBA Challenger - Antonio Gomez of Venezuela has been postponed.

The bout was set for Caracas, Venezuela > but the Champion suffered an arm-injury
while Training in Japan, and has asked the WBA for a 'delay waiver'.

Antonio Gomez who has been training for 5-Weeks, said that he will still fight on
May 28th at the Nuevo Circo, in appreciation of support from his home-country fans.

The Promoters are lining up a 'safe' opponent for Antonio, for a 10-Round bout.

[Bill Paxtom]

Friday ~ May 28, 1971

Nuevo Circo ~ Caracas, Venezuela

{#1 WBA} ~ Antonio Gomez ~ 33-2-0 {15 KO's} ~ 5' 6" ~ 128 lbs. ~ {Age; 25 years, 8 months}
vs.
{NR} ~ Vicente Garcia ~ 38-21-5 {19 KO's} ~ 5' 6" ~ 130 lbs. ~ {Age; 28 years, 0 months}
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

~The Skinny ~

Antonio Gomez is using this as a 'stay busy bout', as he is still waiting for WBA Champion - Shozo Saijo
to get into the Ring wit him.

Also, Antonio wants to get 'revenge' for his older brother - Pedro Gomez, who was 'shockingly' upset
{L TKO 6} to Vicente Garcia 2-Years earlier on May 1, 1969.

Vicente Garcia is a 28 year-old Mexican veteran, who has been fighting as a Professional for 15-Years,
since {Age; 13} in 1956.

Vicente was ranked as the #10 WBA Featherweight in June 1969, after scoring a {TKO 6} over World-Ranked
Venezuelan - Pedro Gomez.

But now, Vicente is in a 'downward-spiral', as he has gone 1-7-2 in his last 10-Bouts, including suffering
'4' Knockout losses since September 1968 {2 years, 8 months}.
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~ Antonio Gomez 'Flattens' Mexican Garcia In One ~

Antonio Gomez wasted little time in this 'tune-up bout' and 'grudge match' with Mexican - Vicente Garcia.

The Venezuelan exploded with '2' big right-crosses to the chin of Vicente Garcia, and dropped the Mexican
for a '9-Count' just after the {1:00 Mark}.

The Mexican was in 'bad-shape' after rising, and was wobbling around the Ring in a daze, when Gomez landed
another right-cross to the chin, sending Garcia down a 2nd-time.

Referee - Justo Linares called the bout over at the {1:29 Mark} of the 1st-Round, as Vicente Garcia was out
in 'La La Land' after rising after a '7-Count'.
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~ After Bout Comments ~

Antonio Gomez >
"I wanted this fight badly, even though I didn't need it. I wanted 'revenge' for my brother Pedro. Now I got it,
as it was no match inside the Ring tonight."

Vicente Garcia >
"He caught me 'cold'. I have no excuses. I guess I've had too many fights. Maybe it's time to hang up the gloves."

[Bill Paxtom]

July 1, 1971

~ Shozo Saijo To Take On Mexico's Ray Vega In A Non-Title Bout ~

WBA Featherweight Champion - Shozo Siajo will take on Ray Vega in a 10-Round
'non-title' over-the-weight bout.

The 24 year-old Shozo Saijo has a record of 28-6-1 with {8 KO's}, and the WBA Featherweight
Champion is a tenacious fighter.

The 27 year-old Ray Vega comes in with a record of 40-9-1 with {23 KO's}, and has
a reputation as a 'big' right-hand swinger.

The WBA Featherweight Champion is under pressure to sign and defend his Crown
against #1 WBA-ranked - Antonio Gomez.
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~ Shozo Saijo Pounds Out Decision Over Mexico's Ray Vega ~

WBA Featherweight Champion - Shozo Saijo scored a 10-Round Unanimous Decision over
Mexican Super-Featherweight Ray Vega in a 10-Round 'non-title' bout.

The 24 year-old Shozo Saijo of Japan {131 lbs.} used a variety of left-jabs and right-hand leads to
the head of the tough Mexican, to defeat the visitor in a 'brisk bout'.

The 27 year-old Ray Vega {129 3/4 lbs.} came in with a reputation as a big right-hand swinger,
but the Mexican was unable to deliver his 'famed' right-hand without any regularity.

Vega was effective during the first 2-Rounds, as he got in close on Shozo and scored on the
inside with good 'left-right' combinations. But starting in Round 3, Vega soon found himself getting
out-boxed from the faster Champion.

Shozo picked up the pace in Round 3, and swept the next '4' Rounds by scoring with lightning
quick attacks, that had the Mexican visitor swatting-at-a-swarm-of-bees.

With the bout well-in-hand, and starting in Round 7, Shozo boxed safely and from the outside
as the Mexican attempted to go for the Knockout with 'wide' right-hand swings.

The action was fairly 'even' during Rounds 7 thru 10.

There were no knockdowns in the bout.

Scorecards >
* 48-45 > {5-2-3} = Shozo Saijo
* 49-46 > {4-1-5} = Shozo Saijo
* 49-44 > {4-1-5} = Shozo Saijo