Antonio Gomez ~ "El Leon de Cumana"

[Bill Paxtom]

Friday ~ December 10, 1971

Nuevo Circo ~ Caracas, Venezuela

~ Antonio Gomez Edges Puerto Rican Champ In 'Non-Title' Bout ~

~ Controversial Decision Goes Against Puerto Rican ~

WBA Featherweight Champion - Antonio Gomez edged out a controversial Decision
Decision over a 'pesky-and-frisky' Esteban Dejesus of Puerto Rico in a 10-Round
'non-title' bout in Caracas, Venezuela.

Fighting before a hometown crowd of { 8700 } at the Nuevo Circo, the hometown hero
rallied over the last 2-Rounds to win a 'close' 10-Round Decision.

The bout was not smooth sailing for Gomez {128 3/4 lbs.} over the first 4-Rounds, as
the 20 year-old DeJesus {131 lbs.} outworked the Champion with a busy attack of
left-hooks and straight right-hands.

But the patient Champion used his experience to put constant-pressure on the Puerto Rican
Lightweight Champion during the later-Rounds. Gomez used heavy left-jabs, and added
'left-and-right' hooks to the body, in an effort to slow the 'fast-and-quick' youngster down.

But the shorter Puerto Rican would not back down, and came back with a solid offense time
and again, as he landed his hard left-hook to Gomez' head several times, and rocked the
Champion's head several times throughout the bout.

But Gomez rallied back in Round 9, and 'jarred' DeJesus with a hard counter right-cross to the
jaw, as the punch went over the Puerto Rican's low left-hand and into his 'chin' at the {2:10 Mark}.

DeJesus was in some trouble late in the Round as Gomez unleashed with a 'barrage', but the
younger fighter worked his way out of danger by moving-and-backing away until the Bell.

With the bout on the line, Gomez proved to be 'stronger' during the 10th Round, as the 20 year-old
visitor faded, and was not as busy as he was during the first 7-Rounds of the bout.

Scorecards
* 97-96 = {4-3-3 in Rounds} > Antonio Gomez
* 98-97 = {3-2-5 in Rounds} > Antonio Gomez
* 97-96 = {4-3-3 in Rounds} > Antonio Gomez
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~ After Bout Comments ~

Antonio Gomez >
"I knew that it was going to be a tough fight, and it was. Esteban is a very, very good fighter. He gave
me a good tussle tonight. With a little more experience he will become a great fighter, and a World Champion."

Esteban Dejesus >
"I was doing great, until he caught me with that right-hand in Round 9. I didn't know where I was for the
last 2-Rounds. But I still thought that I had won. I carried the fight for the first 7-Rounds."

"He {Antonio Gomez} is very smart, and very strong. I will chalk this up as a learning experience. It will only
make me a more complete fighter down the road."

[Bill Paxtom]

January 6, 1972

~ Antonio Gomez and Raul Martinez Mora Sign For Rematch ~

WBA Featherweight Champion - Antonio Gomez of Venezuela will make his 1st Title Defense
against Mexico's - Rail Martinez Mora.

The bout has been set for February 12th, in Maracay, Venezuela

Gomez fought and lost a 'disputed' 10-Round Decision to Mora on November 20, 1971 in
Monterrey, Mexico.

It was a 'non-title' bout, and the fight card was sponsored by the WBC. The 'controversy'
was in that Raul Martinez Mora 'ran all night' and was awarded the 10-Round Decision.

Yet, all '8' journalists at Ringside, and '3' Mexican Newspapers all called the bout for
Antonio Gomez.

Raul Martinez Mora, who was 'unranked' before that bout, is now ranked as the #10 WBA
Featherweight, and also #10 WBC Featherweight.

The little known Featherweight from Mexico City is now Mexico's newest 'boxing sensation'
following that 'upset win'.

The Mexican {Age 25 years, 11 months} has a record of 34-4-0 with {17 KO's}, and is known as 'The Spoiler'.

The WBA Champion - Antonio Gomez {Age; 26 years, 5 months} has a record of 37-3-0 {18 KO's].

[Bill Paxtom]

Sunday ~ January 22, 1972

~ WBA Featherweight Championship Bout Moved Up To February 5th in Maracay, Venezuela ~

The WBA Featherweight Championship bout between Champion - Antonio Gomez and
#10 WBA-ranked Challenger - Raul Martinez Mora has been moved up 1-Week to
Saturday - February 5th, from the original date of February 12th.

Venezuelan Promoter - Ramiro Machado stated that the bout had to be moved up, as to not
coincide with the Circus Festival being held that week in Maracay.

Raul Martinez Mora >
"I had to take 10-Days off because of Military Service {Raul Martinez Mora is Platoon Leader in
the Mexican Military}.

"I was out from January 12th -thru- January 22nd. But that is fine with me, because I always
stay in shape. I would have preferred to have those 10-Days in the Gym, but this is what happens
in Boxing when you are challenging for a World Title."

"Now they moved the bout up 7-Days, and I lose 10-Days from the Gym because of my
Military commitment."

"I will resume my training today, and plan to travel to Maracay later this week."

Antonio Gomez>
"It has been moved up 7-Days. That is all-right with me, as I have been in the Gym
since January 5th."

"I'm in much better condition now, than when I fought Raul Martinez Mora 2-Months
ago {November 20th}.

[Bill Paxtom]

Friday ~ February 4, 1972

~ Raul Martinez Mora Is Sure Of Victory ~
'
Mexican Featherweight - Raul Martinez Mora is 'sure of victory' for tomorrow night's
WBA Championship bout to held in Maracay, Venezuela against home-country Hero
Antonio Gomez.

An expected turn out of over 10,000 is expected to cheer for Antonio Gomez, and
against the visiting Raul Martinez Mora.

Raul Martinez Mora >
"I am confident that I can defeat Antonio Gomez again. I did it once in my country,
{Monterrey, Mexico}, and I know that I can do it again."

"It is my style, that presents a problem for the Champion. I move too fast for him,
and do not allow him to set-up to throw is heavy-hands. I'm always moving and jabbing.
If he gets too close, I'll grab him, just like I did in Monterrey {November 20, 1971}."

The 26 year-old Mora does not look like much at 5' 6", but he knows how to fight and is
known as 'El Spoiler', as he has surprised many who had expected him to lose.

[Bill Paxtom]

Saturday ~ February 5, 1972

Maestranza Cesar Giron 'Bull Ring' ~ Maracay, Venezuela

~ WBA Featherweight Championship Bout Set For Tonight ~

WBA Champion - Antonio Gomez of {Cumana, Venezuela} will be fighting in front
of over 10,000 Venezuelan's tonight.

The Champion will making his 1st-Defense of the Title he won on September 2, 1971
{5-Months ago} by scoring a {KO 5} over Champion - Shozo Saijo in Tokyo, Japan.

Antonio Gomez is a {3-1} Betting-Favorite to retain his Title over a 'pesky-and-quick'
Mexican by the name of Raul Martinez Mora.

Antonio Gomez >
"I will win by a clear victory. There will be no decision. I will win by a Knockout by the 7th Round.
My right-hand will end this bout."

Raul Martinez Mora >
"I have confidence in getting the Title. My training has been timed for me to be at my best when
I get into the Ring tonight."

"I feel that I will win by a 'close-breath' {whisker}. I will beat him {Antonio Gomez} the same way
that I beat him the first time, by boxing smart and avoiding exchanges."

"Imagine, winning the Crown would be the 'most beautiful' thing that could happen. I would return
home to Mexico City as a 'National Hero'. I will not let this opportunity pass."

Fight Purses >
* Antonio Gomez ........ $50,000
* Raul Martinez Mora .... $5000 {Plus the Television Rights to Mexico}

[Bill Paxtom]

Saturday ~ February 5, 1972

Maestranza 'Cesar Giron Bull Ring' ~ Maracay, Venezuela

~WBA Featherweight Championship ~

Attendance ..... { 12,000 } 'Sell-Out'

'WBA Champion' - Antonio Gomez - 37-3-0 {18 KO's} ~ 5' 6" ~ 125 1/2 lbs. ~ {Age; 26 years, 4 months}
vs.
#10 WBA - Raul Martinez Mora - 34-4-0 {17 KO's} ~ 5' 6" ~ 124 1/4 lbs. ~ {Age; 25 years, 11 months}
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

~ Antonio Gomez Retains Crown By KO In 7th ~

WBA Featherweight Champion - Antonio Gomez made the '1st' Title defense of his crown, and scored a
Knockout over 'pesky' Challenger - Raul Martinez Mora at {1:34} of Round 7.

Fighting in front of over { 12,000 } Venezuelans in Maracay {approximately 120 Miles away from Caracas},
the Champion bombarded his Challenger in Round 7.

The bout started off quietly, as neither fighter made an aggressive move during the first 2-Rounds, as each
feinted, and parried each others left-jabs.

But in Round 3 there was an explosion, as the Champion came out very aggressively and started bombing away,
as he sent the 'defensive stylist' Mora reeling to the Ropes.

Just past the {1:40 Mark}, the Champion caught the Mexican with a 'left-uppercut' and 'right-cross' to the chin,
dropping him to his knee's for a '4-Count'. But the gritty Challenger was up and came back swinging.

But again the Champion had too much power, and dropped Mora again at the {2:28 Mark} with a right-hook
to the chin. Still the Challenger got up at the '5-Count', and Referee - Luis Salbaran allowed the bout to continue.

In Round 4, the Champion came out looking to finish it, as the { 12,000 ] fans inside the 'Bull Ring' cheered
for their Hero to end it. But the 'cagey' Challenger got on the 'fast lane', and Mora 'circled-and-moved' while
staying outside and away from the powerful-swinging Champion while using a tight-defense.

In Round 5, the Mexican again stayed on the outside and used his 'tight-defense' to avoid the Champion's
heavy-hands. But very late in the Round, the Challenger got 'brazen' and actually traded with the Champion
at Center-Ring, and held his own throughout the last 30-Seconds of the session.

Again in Round 6, Mora decided to fight-back, rather than to jab-and-run. Again, The Challenger held his own
with the harder-hitting Venezuelan, as each traded good punches.

In Round 7, again the fighters 'stood-and-traded', as the action was 'fairly-even' over the first 1:00.

Just past the {1:00 Mark}, both fighters went 'toe-to-toe' at Center-Ring, then suddenly Raul Martinez Mora stopped
punching, and moved back to the Ropes after an 'interesting' exchange of blows.

The Champion then stepped in, and sent in some 'heavy-blows' on the Challenger, then came in with a 'tremendous'
right-hand into the 'belly' of the Challenger.

Raul Martinez Mora went down on his side, and stayed there as he was counted out at {1:34} of Round 7
by Referee - Luis Salbaran.

[Bill Paxtom]

February 5, 1972

~ WBA Featherweight Championship ~

~ Champion - Antonio Gomez Retains Title By {KO 7} Over Challenger - Raul Martinez Mora ~

{Associated Press}
Antonio Gomez barreled over Raul Martinez Mora in Round 7, and ended the bout by smashing
a tremendous right-hand in to the Challenger's mid-section, flooring him for the count.

Despite the Champion's superiority, Raul Martinez Mora showed great courage after receiving
some heavy-blows in the bout.

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~ After Bout Comments ~

Antonio Gomez >
"It was a very emotional boxing match for me. People have been questioning my ability, by
stating that I was 'overrated'.

"Several of the Mexican Publications were writing that I was afraid to fight any of the
top Mexican Featherweights {ie; Clemente Sanchez, Vicente Saldivar and Enrique Garcia}."

"Well, I was given a 'bad decision' in Monterrey last year {November 20, 1971}, and I am
not sure if I will ever go back to Mexico for a bout, even a 'non-title' bout."

"That being said, Raul Martinez Mora is a great boxer. He takes a good punch, and he has
a very difficult style. He is always moving, and never presents an opening. Tonight, I was
just too sharp for him."

Raul Martinez Mora >
"Antonio is great Champion. He punched too hard for me tonight."

"I was coming back and doing well in Round 7, but he caught me with a right-hand that 'stunned me'
at Center-Ring. I had to back up to the Ropes to clear my head, but he was right on top of me."

"That right-hand to my mid-section took 'all-the-wind' out of me. I could not move when I went
down."