Antonio Gomez ~ "El Leon de Cumana"

[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}.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

~ 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'.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

~ 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.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

~ 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

[Bill Paxtom]

{Associated Press} ~ July 2, 1971

~ WBA Withdraws Recognition Of Shozo Saijo Of His Featherweight Championship ~

The WBA has withdrawn Shozo Saiojo as their Featherweight Champion, because of his failure
to defend his crown against the 'next available' Top Contender, as per the Association's
Championship Boxing Rules.

President - Dr. Elias Cordova stated that Shozo Saijo was supposed to defend his title
within 90-Days, after defeating Frankie Crawford on February 28th of this year.

The Top Contender, Antonio Gomez of Venezuela has been in the 'Mandatory Challenger'
position since August 1970.

[Bill Paxtom]

Thursday ~ July 15, 1971

~ WBA Featherweight Happenings ~


#1
The WBA now gave Misako Kanehara {Manager for Shozo Saijo} 48-Hours to come up with a deal for
Shozo Saijo to defend the WBA Championship against #1 Contender - Antonio Gomez.

#2
In Japan, 'a 'jubilant' Shozo Saijo was excited, as a deal had finally been 'signed' with Antonio Gomez,
as negotiations were 'haggled over' for nearly 1-Year {since August 1970}.

#3
The WBA Championship bout has been set for August 12th, and to be held in Japan.

#4
Tonight's bout {July 15th} at the 'Olympic Auditorium' between Vicente Saldivar and Frankie Crawford has
been billed as a 'WBA Eliminator' with the winner to get the next challenge of the winner of the WBA
Featherweight Champinship Bout between Champion - Shozo Saijo and #1 WBA-ranked Challenger
Antonio Gomez.

#5
The 'Olympic' Boxing Matchmaker - Don Chargin stated that he would sign up tonight's winner between
Vicente Saldivar and Frankie Crawford to face the winner of the Shozo Saijo - Antonio Gomez bout.

#6
The 'Olympic' fight promoter > Aileen Eaton stated that she was looking at December 1971, to hold the
WBA Featherweight Championship at 'The Olympic'.

[Bill Paxtom]

Wednesday ~ July 21, 1971

~ Willie Ketchum Likes His Boxer ~

Legendary 'Boxing Trainer', 63 year-old Willie Ketchum has been brought in to help train and
Co-Manage Venezuelan Featherweight - Antonio Gomez.

Venezuelan Manager - Ramiro Machado felt is was necessary to bring in additional
help, in getting Antonio ready for his upcoming World Championship challenge, set
for Tokyo, Japan on August 12th.

Willie Ketchom >

Antonio is a very nice goy. The only problem is that he likes to eat a little bit too moch. When he first
came to Los Angeles 4-Weeks ago on Jone 27th, he was op to 143 lbs.

Bot after 4-Weeks, I have him down to 130 lbs. He gets too big between fights, and he needs to be
on a proper diet.

I have him sparring with my fighter and 'Top Prospect' - Jose Martin Lois Del Campo. He's a 22 year-old
Featherweight, who is as good as any 126 lb. fighter in the Division. He's still learning, bot he may
become better than Antonio Gomez. He's only got a record of 15-2-0 with {7 KO's}, bot look oot for him
in 1972.

When I 'first' got Antonio 4-Weeks ago, he was a 'one-armed' fighter. Only right-hand crosses. I told him
that he had to have a good left-hand to beat the WBA Champion - Shozo Saijo. Now he's got an effective
left-hand.

Yoo know, in Venezoela they all know me. All those kids in Caracas want to become fighters, and come
to Los Angeles to have me train them. We have '17' of them right now, all living in 'one hoose' in
Los Angeles. They all train at the same Gym. We call it 'Little Caracas' when they arrive on the Morning.