Antonio Gomez ~ "El Leon de Cumana"

[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}
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.

[Bill Paxtom]

Saturday ~ November 6, 1971

~ Antonio Gomez Halts Argentinian In 7, In 'Non-Title' Bout ~

WBA Featherweight Champion - Antonio Gomez took apart veteran Argentinian
Jose Smecca and halted his opponent in Round 7 by a TKO.

Fighting in front of 12,000 Venezuelans at the Nuevo Circo, Gomez {127 1/4 lbs.}
battered the Smecca {128 3/4 lbs.} with a series of combinations, forcing the
Referee - Alex Bricenas to call a halt to bout at 2:02 of Round 7.

The bout got off to a slow start, as both fighter spent the first 3 Rounds circling, by
exhibiting an excellent defense, much like the {art of fencing}.

The Argentinian was the first to attack, and in Round 4 the taller Smecca scored with
his long left-jab, as Gomez did his 'bob-and-weave' to stay low.

But the Venezuelan opened up in the next Round {Round 5}, and put heavy-pressure
on his opponent by jabbing his way, and hitting the body with hooks while in close.

Gomez had a solid Round 6 as well, as he tagged Smecca with several right-hand leads
to send him backwards and covering up.

In Round 7, it was all Gomez, as he battered the Argentinian with left-hooks to the head
and right-crosses to the chin.

By the {1:00 Mark}, Smecca was bleeding from the mouth and was covering up along
the Ropes. At the {1:30 Mark} Gomez caught the Argentinian with a double left-hook to
the chin and a short right-cross to the jaw.

Smecca went down to one-knee, and took a '7-Count' before rising. But the Argentinian
wanted to continue.

But 20-Seconds later, the Argentinian was 'defenseless' on the Ropes, as Gomez was
sending in a barrage of punches on Smecca, when the Referee smartly called a halt to
the bout.

Antonio Gomez received a Fight Purse of { $20,000 } for his 'non-title' effort.

Jose Smecca received { $5000 } plus expenses.