Antonio Gomez ~ "El Leon de Cumana"

[Bill Paxtom]

Hey Frankie,

In 1971,

Round 3 > between Shozo Saijo vs. Antonio Gomez >

Was 'miles' better than any Round of the Joe Frazier vs. Muhammad Ali bout.

Not a 'single' clinch, and non-stop punching.

Antonio Gomez 'floored' the Champion at {1:12} of Round 3, when he caught Shozo Saijo with a
'short' but vicious right-cross, and a follow-up left-hook as Shozo was going down.

But the WBA Featherweight Champion was 'not done', as he got up and literally beat the 'Hell' out of Antonio
for most of the rest of Round 3, until getting 'staggered' at the {2:59 Mark}.

Clearly, the 'Best Round of the Year' {1971}

[Bill Paxtom]

~ Shozo Saijo vs. Antonio Gomez ~

After a 'wild' Round 3, which could easily be nominated for 'Round of the Year'

Round 4

Was relatively mild, as both fighters fought cautiously, and were now wary of each other's
power.

The Champion {Shozo Saijo} used a long left-jab, and movement.



The Challenger {Antonio Gomez} was content to send out a left-jab while leaping forward,
and then going low to avoid any counters.

Round 4 ......... {5-5} > 'Even'

Scorecards thru 4-Rounds >
* Referee - Alfredo Garzo ........ 20-17 > {Antonio Gomez}
* Judge - Takeo Ugo .............. 20-17 > {Antonio Gomez}
* Judge - Yusaka Yoshida ....... 20-19 > {Antonio Gomez}
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Round 5

Both come out to Center-Ring, and jab while circling each other. Antonio is up on his toes, and is
moving well.

Shozo is loading up, looking for 'one-punch'. Antonio sneaks in '2' left-jabs at the {0:13 Mark}.

Antonio is now bopping on his toes, and then bending low. Shozo flicks out '2' left-jabs at the {0:18 Mark}.

Both are still at Center-Ring. Shozo scores with a good left-jab at the {0:24 Mark}. Antonio continues to
'bob-and-weave'.

Antonio is short with a left-jab at the {0:36 Mark}. Shozo comes back with a sharp left-jab that snaps
Antonio's head back.

Antonio counters with a good left-hand at the {0:38 Mark}, but misses with a second jab. Both exchange
left-jabs at the {0:44 Mark}.

Antonio goes 'flat-footed' at the {0:47 Mark}, and is looking to drop in the right-hand.

Shozo stays outside and jabs. Antonio counters with his own left-jab at the {0:54 Mark}.

Both are still at Center-Ring at the {1:02 Mark}.

Both fighters still look 'fresh' and sharp.

At the {1:04 Mark}, Shozo comes in with a right-hand lead, and a wide left-hook, as Antonio
ducks to low to avoid them.

The Champion is still throwing good punches with power.

Both fighters circle 360* at Center-Ring at the {1:14 Mark}. Then the Champion comes in with
a right-hand lead.

Shozo misses with a follow-up wild right-hand.

Antonio catches the Champion with a counter right-hand to the belly at the {1:18 Mark}, then
comes back with a long left-jab to the head.

Both are look for an opening at the {1:24 Mark}, while at Center-Ring.

Antonio sends out a 'sharp' left-jab at the {1:26 Mark}.

Shozo makes his move, and comes forward with a left-jab, but has his right-hand too low.

At the {1:27 Mark}, Antonio times Shozo coming in, and unloads with a 'vicious' right-cross
to his chin. The Champion goes down hard at Center-Ring.

Shozo is 'dpwn' at Center-Ring at the {1:28 Mark}. At the '2-Count' he rolls on his back over
on his back and puts hjs gloves by the side of his head. At the'7-Count' he slowly gets up
as Referee - Alfredo Garzo continues to count.

At the '8-Count' {1:36 Mark} Shozo Saijo rises, but he is 'badly dazed'. But Shoz tells the
Referee > "I'm ready to go.".

At the {1:40 Mark}, Shozo steps forward, but his legs nearly give ot as he slightly stumbles.

Antonio, who was in the front-right 'Netraull-Corner' comes charging in, and starts firing
away with a right to the body, and a 'left-right' uppercut to the 'dazed' Champion's chin.

At the {1:43 Mark}, the Champion reels sideways to the back-center Ropes, as Antonio
slams in a right-hook to the head and short left-hook to the head.

Shozo is 'badly hurt' now.

Antonio then 'blasts' the Champion with a 'big' right-hand to the chin. Shozo 'crashes' to the
canvas 'and he is down again' along the back Ropes at the {1:46 Mark}.



Shozo has his left-hand over the middle Ropes strand, and pulls himself up at the '2-Count'
{1:48 Mark}.

Shozo walks over to the back-right Corner {his own Corner}, and takes the 'Mandatory 8-Count'.

At the {1:56 Mark} he is ready to go on.

Shozo moves out to Center-Ring as Antonio comes in 'winging' a left-hook to the head. At the
{2:00 Mark}, Shozo 'stumbles' backwards to the right-back Ring area and into the Ropes.

Antonio is relentless with his attack, and fires in a fast '6-Punch' combination with >
> a right to the body ~ a 'double' left to the head ~ a right to the head ~ a right uppercut to the head ~
and a left-hook to the chin.

The Champion - Shozo Saijo 'crashes to the canvas a '3rd-time' at the {2:07 Mark}.

The bout is over, as the '3 Knockdown Rule' is in effect.

[Bill Paxtom]

Thursday ~ September 2, 1971

Tokyo, Japan

~ Antonio Gomez Captures The WBA Featherweight Championship ~

Antonio Gomez of Venezuela is lifted by his handlers after scoring a Knockout at
2:07 of Round 5 over Champion - Shozo Saijo of Japan.

[Bill Paxtom]

Thursday ~ September 2, 1971

~ After Bout Comments ~

Antonio Gomez >

"The Japanese Champion {Shozo Saijo} is still a good fighter. He has the biggest heart of
any fighter that I have ever faced."

"I had him down in the 3rd-Round, with the best short right-hook that I have ever thrown.
I don't know how he got up. Not only that, he fought back even harder after the knockdown."

"He's still a good fighter. He's fast and keeps coming."

"I have no scratches on me. I am happy with the way I fought, for my 'Wife' and '6' children.
I want to keep the Title for 3-Years, to make a lot of money before I retire in {1974}."

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Shozo Saijo >

"Antonio had too much speed for me tonight. He also was ducking-and-weaving, and that threw
me off. But, I have no excuses. He beat me fair and square."

"I want to fight him again. Hopefully within 4-Months. I guess I will have to go to Caracas, Venezuela
as the Challenger {this time}."

"I'm having trouble getting down to Featherweight {126 lbs.}. I think I can make that weight
only 'one more time'. After that, it's up to the Super-Featherweights {130 lbs.}."

[Bill Paxtom]

September 1971

~ El Campeon del Mundo Pluma ~

~ WBA Featherweight Champion ~

~ Antonio Gomez ~

Age ................. 26 years, 0 months
Home............... Cumana, Venezuela > {Northeast Venezuela, a Port-City along the Caribbean Sea}
Nickname ........ 'El Leon de Cumana'
Won Title ........ September 2, 1971 > {KO 5 over Shozo Saijo}
Record ............ 35-2-0 {17 KO's}

Height ............ 5' 6"
Reach ............. 67"
Stance ............ Orthodox
Style ............... Boxer/Puncher {A quick-fisted boxer, who has good power}
Best Punch ...... Right-Cross
Hand Speed ..... Very Good
Power .............. Good {Both, with a right-cross and left-hook}
Ring General .... Very Good
Strength .......... Very Good
Defense ........... Very Good {Elusive, with a 'bob-and-weave'}
Chin ................ Excellent

Promoter ........ Ramiro Machado ~ {Venezuela}
Trainer ........... Hely 'Ely' Montes ~ {Venezuela}
Co-Manager .... Willie Ketchum ~ {USA}

Largest Fight Purse ....... { $15,000 } versus Shozo Saijo for the 'WBA Featherweight Championship'

* Married, with '6' Children

* Occupation {Primary}.......... Professional Boxer
* Occupation {Secondary} ..... Professional Fisherman

Antonio Gomez >

I have been a Fisherman since I was {Age; 12}. In 1957 I started working on the Family Boat, as
we had a fantastic business, and still do. We live on the north side of Cumana, near the Caribbean
Sea. And we have '3' Fishing boats. We love the Sea.

I also 'Dive-for-Pearls'. I can reach depths of 60'. That is how I get my upper-body strength, and
endurance {lung expansion}.

I once found a Pearl that was worth $500 {2015 value = $3200}. Yes I sold it, and bought a car.
But usually, I can make $150 each weekend by 'Diving for Pearls'.

But now, I'm a Boxing World Champion.

[Bill Paxtom]

1971

~ Ring 'KO' Mundial ~

On September 17, 1971

The WBA {World Boxing Association} voted Antonio Gomez as 'Boxer of the Month'.



[I][/~ WBA Ratings ~I]

*** Antonio Gomez
#1 . Eder Jofre
#2 . Ernesto Marcel
#3 . Kuniaki Shibata > {WBC Champion}
#4 . Shozo Saijo
#5 . Godfrey Stevens
#6 . Vicente Saldivar
#7 . Tarban Ben Hassen
#8 . Frankie Crawford
#9 . Jose Legra
#10. Jose Smecca

[Bill Paxtom]

Saturday ~ November 6, 1971

Nuevo Circo {New Circus} ~ Caracas, Venezuela

* Antonio Gomez ~ 35-2-0 {17 KO's} ~ 5' 6" ~ 127 1/4 lbs. ~ {Age; 26 years, 2 months}
vs.
* Jose Smecca ~ 41-9-8 {21 KO's} ~ 5' 7 1/2" ~ 128 3/4 lbs. ~ {Age; 35 years, 10 months}
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

~ The Skinny ~

This was supposed to be Antono Gomez' 1st-Title Defense, and his 'home-coming' bout
as a Champion from Venezuela, only 2-Months after defeating Shozo Saijo in Japan to
capture the Title.

This bout was originally scheduled for October 29th, but the bout was pushed back 1-Week.

It was also supposed to be for the WBA Featherweight Championship, but Jose Smecca could not
make weight, so it was changed to a 'non-title' bout.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

~ The Skinny II ~

Jose Smecca is the #10 WBA-ranked Featherweight. The 16-year veteran Argentinian, is a true
Professional, who is tall at {5' 7 1/2"} and brings with him a long 70" Reach.

Jose is a smooth boxing technician, with a good left jab and who is also a smart counter-puncher.

Jose has been the Argentinian Featherweight Champion since March 9, 1968 {3 1/2 years}, who has
gone 'unbeaten' {8-0-3} over his last 11-Bouts.

As a side note {Brotherly Love} > Jose fought Antonio's older brother {Pedro Gomez} to a 10-Round
'Draw' back on September 6, 1968 in Caracas, Venezuela.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

~ The Deal ~

Jose Smecca signed for this bout on October 22nd, so he has only had a 'short time' to prepare. Jose
who started to train while weighing in at 138 lbs., could only get down to 128 3/4 lbs.

So, the bout is a 'non-title' bout. Obviously if Jose wins, he will get a Championship Bout within
60-Days, and with ample time to get ready.