Antonio Gomez ~ "El Leon de Cumana"

[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.

[Bill Paxtom]

Saturday ~ November 20, 1971

Monumental Plaza de Toros 'Bull Ring' ~ Monterrey, Mexico

Attendance ..... { 13,800 } 'Sell-Out'

* Antonio Gomez ~ 36-2-0 {18 KO's} ~ 5' 6" ~ 130 lbs. ~ {Age; 26 years, 3 months}
vs.
* Raul Martinez Mora ~ 33-4-0 {17 KO's} ~ 5' 6" ~ 128 1/4 lbs. ~ {Age; 25 years, 8 months}
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

~ The Skinny ~

Antonio Gomez 'signed' for this 'non-title' bout on November 10th, with Mexican Promoter
Enrique Cessna.

Antonio signed for a Fight Purse of { $15,000 }, for what he expected was an 'easy' tune-up
against a 'little-known' Mexican Featherweight.

Antonio had last fought on Saturday - November 6th {only 2-Weeks earlier}, where he stopped
{TKO 7} Argentinian - Jose Smecca in a 'non-title' bout.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Raul Martinez Mora, who is from Mexico City, is a cagey 5' 6" boxer, with good movement. The
5 1/2 Year Professional is not a big-puncher, and relies on an 'annoying-style' of;
> Holding, Hitting and then Running.

Basically, Raul is 'a runner'. But despite that, Raul is rated as the #2 Mexican Featherweight.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

~ The Skinny II ~

The Antonio Gomez - Raul Martinez Mora bout is the 'Co-Main Event' along with >

A WBC Featherweight Eliminator between > Clemente Sanchez vs. Tarban Ben Hassen

* Oddly, the WBC is promoting and sponsoring this event, with the WBA Featherweight
Champion participating in a 'non-title' event.

[Bill Paxtom]

Saturday ~ November 20, 1971

Monumental Plaza de Toros 'Bull Ring' ~ Monterrey, Mexico

~ Antonio Gomez Gets Shaken Down In Monterrey, Mexico ~

Antonio Gomez, the WBA Feathwerweght Champion engaged in a 10-Round 'non-title'
bout with Mexican Featherweight - Raul Martinez Mora.

After 10-Rounds of > 'chasing, hitting and holding' > the little-known Mexican was awarded
a Unanimous 10-Round Decision by the '3' Scoring Officials.

While the Decision was announced, a 'stunned' corner of Antonio Gomez put their hands
to the sides of their heads in disbelief.

Even the 'Sell-Out' crowd of { 13,800 } who were sitting in the Plaza de Toros were 'shocked'
at the Decision.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Antonio Gomez {130 lbs.} came in {+4 lbs.} over the featherweight limit, and appeared 'sluggish'
over the first 3-Rounds, as he pressed the ever-moving Raul Martinez Mora {128 1/4 lbs.}

The Mexican had his best early moments in Round 4, as he tagged the Venezuelan with several
chopping right-hand leads, and then 'grabbed-and-held', to prevent Gomez from following up with
a counter.

But Gomez used his vast-experience and strength to take the next 4-Rounds {5, 6, 7 and 8} by using
constant pressure and left-jabs with authority, to keep Mora on the outside-and-running.

In Round 9, Raul Martinez Mora was able to stall the Venezuelan by employing a tactic of >
* A double left-jab.
* Move in-close quickly.
* Then use his left-arm to grab Antonio's right-arm.
* Slam '2' right-hands into Antonio Gomez' left-side
* Then grab both of Gomez' arms.
* Wait for the Referee to call 'Break'
* Flee away fast, and run backwards.

Again in Round 10, the cagey 25 1/2 year-old Mexican used the same tactic as in Round 9, as
Antonio Gomez became frustrated with his opponents 'jab-and-stall' style.

At no time in the bout, was Antonio Gomez able to land his powerful right-cross on the 'cagey'
Mexican.

Scorecards
* 96-95 > {5-4-1 in Rounds} > Raul Martinez Mora
* 96-95 > {5-4-1 in Rounds} > Raul Martinez Mora
* 96-95 > {5-4-1 in Rounds} > Raul Martinez Mora

Fight Purses
* Antonio Gomez ....... { $15,000 } = {2015 Value = $78,000}
* Raul Martinez Mora .... { $2500 } = {2015 Value = $13,000}

[Bill Paxtom]

November 24, 1971

~ Antonio Gomez Still Upset With Scoring In Mexico ~

Antonio Gomez >

It was a 'bad' Decision by the Officials. He {Raul Martinez Mora} ran all night.
Each time that I moved in and threw a jab, he grabbed me {my left arm}, and
then hit me with a pitty-pat punch.

Then when the Referee called 'Break', he took off running like a Galloping Horse.
How does a Judge score a Round for a fighter like that.

All night he was throwing light left-jabs and running. Not once did he land a
good punch.

I am quite unhappy. I would say he 'stole the fight', as he spent the whole time
running and flicking out left-jabs while moving away from me.

Not once did I feel like a loser.

We watched the fight {Film} 3-Times, and we only scored 2-Rounds for Mora,
the 4th and the 10th.

I was doing all the work and made the fight. I easily won Rounds 5, 6, 7 and 8.

I will say, that the Mexican had a good defense, but he landed very few punches.

It was a 'surprise' Decision by the Mexican Officials. Everyone was shocked.

Every sports-writer at Ringside scored the bout for me. 'Ring Mundial' had it for
me by 3-Points {98-95}, that's 5-2-3 in Rounds.

And 'Gondel Publications' had it for me by a {98-96} score = 4-2-4 in Rounds.

I can agree with that.

[Bill Paxtom]

November 25, 1971

[I][/Ramiro Machado {Fight Promoter/Manager for Antonio GomezI]

That bout in Monterrey. An absolute embarrassment. That guy {Raul Martinez Mora}
ran all night.

The Promoter {Enrique Cessna} had promised me 'fair officials'. That was complete
'Bull Shit'.

It should have been ruled 'No Contest', as Mora did not come to fight, he came to hold
and run.

He's not a bad fighter, because he had '33' wins somewhere. {A record of 33-4-0}. He
had some skills, as he had an 'extraordinary-technique' of holding-and-hitting. But he
wouldn't exchange with Antonio, and he ran all night.

A fight is scored by who lands the effective 'punches', not by 'running'.

I wont say that the '3' Officials were corrupt, but I completely and 100% disagree with the
scoring and Decision. That kid didn't win '5' Rounds. The Judges all carded the same
Scorecard. I find that 'odd'.

The next time we fight Raul Martinez Mora, we should go to a 'Racetrack'.