Antonio Gomez ~ "El Leon de Cumana"

[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}
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~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

[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.

[Bill Paxtom]

Thursday ~ September 2, 1971

Metropolitan Gym ~ Tokyo, Japan

~ WBA Featherweight Championship ~

Attendance ...... { 5230 }

{**} - Shozo Saijo ~ 29-6-2 {8 KO's} ~ 5' 8" ~ 126 lbs.~ Reach; 70" ~ {Age; 24 years, 8 months}
vs.
{#1} - Antonio Gomez ~ 34-2-0 {16 KO's} ~ 5' 6" ~ 125 lbs. ~ Reach; 67" ~ {Age; 26 years, 0 months}
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

~ The Skinny I ~

Finally, after 6-Months of 'haggling' and 'negotiating', Shozo Saijo of Japan will defend his WBA Featherweight
Championship against #1 WBA contender, Antonio Gomez of Venezuela.

Shozo Saijo has been the WBA Champion since September 27, 1968 {2 years, 11 months}, and during that
span Shozo has made '5' successful Title Defenses.

Shozo's ride hasn't been an easy one, as the WBA had withdrawn recognition of his Crown due to the failure
to defend against Antonio Gomez, as he 'pulled-out' of no less than '3' previous scheduled Dates, set for;
November 1970 --- May 28, 1971 --- and August 12, 1971 {3-Weeks earlier}.
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~ The Skinny II ~

Antonio Gomez has been the 'Mandatory Challenger' since August 1970, has he has been patiently waiting for
this opportunity for 1-Year.

This bout will be a personal 'grudge-fight' for Antonio, as his older brother Pedro Gomez fought and 'lost' a
tough 15-Round Decision to Shozo Saijo {2 1/2 years earier} back on February 9, 1969.
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~ The Skinny III ~

Shozo Saijo last fought on July 1, 1971 > where he defeated {W Dec 10} Ray Vega, the same Mexican fighter
who was stopped by Antonio Gomez on Januray 10, 1971.

Shozo last defended his WBA Championship on February 28, 1971 > where he defeated {W Dec 15} the 'pesky'
Californian - Frankie Crawford in a rematch of their July 5, 1970 'Hell-Raising' bout.

The word going around, is that Shozo {with his tall-and-lanky frame} is having difficulty getting down to 126 lbs.,
as he was {131 lbs.} when he defeated Ray Vega on July 1st {2-Months ago}.

The Champion will receive a Fight Purse of { $55,000 }.

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~ The Skinny IV ~

Antonio Gomez arrived in Tokyo, Japan > on August 20th, so he has had 12-Days to get acclimated to the climate.

Antonio last fought on May 28, 1971 > where he scored a {TKO 1} over Vicente Garcia. Before that, he scored
a {KO 7} over Ray Vega on January 10, 1971. > So, in the last 7 1/2 Months, Antonio has gone less than a
'Full Round'.

The concern here, is that Antonio may be 'stale' and also may not have the 'timing' to reach the tall-and-lanky
Champion.

Antonio has accepted a { $15,000 } Fight Purse, plus '4' Round-Trip Airline Tickets > 'plus' the Venezuelan
Television rights, Radio broadcast rights, and an outside Referee.

On the 'betting-scene', Antonio has been installed as the {7-4} Betting-Favorite despite being the visiting
boxer.

[Bill Paxtom]

Thursday Night ~ September 2, 1971

Metropolitan Gym ~ Tokyo, Japan

WBA Featherweight Championship

Champion ~ Shozo Saijo
vs.
#1 WBA-ranked ~ Antonio Gomez

Pre-Fight Chatter >

Antonio Gomez >
"I will win by a Knockout. I'm going to 'Kayo' Shozo Saijo. My President {Rafael Caldera of Venezuela} just sent
me a 'telegram', stating the entire country of Venezuela will be pulling for me."

Shozo Saijo >
"I am fully confident, that I'll win. But I make no predictions on the way I'll win. I hear that he is saying that
he will win by a Knockout. Well, I'll exchange 'blows' toe-to-toe if he likes. Besides boxing, I can punch
hard just as well."