Antonio Gomez ~ "El Leon de Cumana"

[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.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
~ 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."

[Bill Paxtom]

~ Some Photo's ~

Antonio Gomez 'El Leon de Cumana'

Below {September 2, 1971 ~ Tokyo, Japan}

Antonio Gomez sends WBA Champion - Shozo Saijo down to the canvas at {1:28 Mark} of Round 5.
It was the first of '3' knockdowns in this Round, which was later stopped by way of the '3 Knockdown Rule'.

[Bill Paxtom]

Saturday ~ June 17, 1972

Maestranza 'Cesar Giron Bull Ring' ~ Maracay, Venezuela

'Non-Title Bout'

* Antonio Gomez - 38-3-0 {19 KO's} ~ 5' 6" ~ 129 1/4 lbs. ~ {Age; 26 years, 9 months}
vs.
* Enrique Garcia - 31-6-1 {19 KO's} ~ 5' 6 1/2" ~ 128 lbs. ~ {Age; 27 years, 1 month}
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

~ The Skinny ~

WBA Featherweight Champion - Antonio Gomez {Venezuela} takes a 10-Round 'non-title'
bout to stay sharp.

Antonio last fought back on February 5, 1972 {4 1/2 months ago}, and Co-Manager
Willie Ketchum wants his fighter back in the Ring.

His opponent, is 'tough-nosed' Mexican Featherweight - Enrique 'Negro' Garcia.

Enrique is managed by; Lupe Sanchez. The {6 1/2 year} Professional has won '5-Straight'
and is World-ranked as the #17 WBC Featherweight.

Both Antonio Gomez and Enrique Garcia were supposed to face each 2-Years earlier, back
in May 1970, at the 'Olympic Auditorium' in Los Angeles, California. But Enrique pulled
out of that bout.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

~ Antonio Gomez Sails By Enrique Garcia In 'Non-Title' Go In Maracay, Venezuela ~

WBA Champion - Antonio Gomez fighting in a 'non-title' bout in front of { 9200 } fans scored a
'workman-like' 10-Round Decision over a tough but limited opponent in Mexican Featherweight
Enrique Garcia.

Gomez {129 1 /4 lbs.} looked a bit heavy, and was not as quick as he normally is. Instead, the
Venezuelan used his 'strength-and-power' to man-handle his opponent throughout the bout.

The WBA Champion had Garcia a bit 'wobbly' in Rounds 6 and 9 > but was unable to floor
the 'tough-nosed' Mexican.

The Mexican was a 'game fighter' who had an excellent defense. But Enrique Garcia {128 lbs.}
displayed very little quality boxing.

Besides being a bit heavy, Antonio Gomez was somewhat 'vague' in his attack, and was not able
to deliver his vaunted right-cross with any regularity.

Scorecards
* 99-93 > {7-1-2 in Rounds}
* 99-94 > {6-1-3 in Rounds}
* 99-93 > {7-1-2 in Rounds}

[Bill Paxtom]

June 22, 1972

~ WBA Champion - Antonio Gomez To Defend Title Against Panamanian - Ernesto Marcel ~

The 'highly-anticipated' 15-Round bout is slated for August 6th, and to be held in Maracay, Venezuela.

~ WBA Ratings ~

*** Antionio Gomez
#1 . Ernesto Marcel
#2 . Eder Jofre
#3 . Clemente Sanchez > {WBC Champion}
#4 . Vicente Saldivar
#5 . Kuniaki Shibata
#6 . Tahar Ben Hassen
#7 . Jose Legra
#8 . Danny Lopez
#9 . Bert Nabalatan
#10. Jose Luis Del Campo
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

June 30, 1972

It was released today that the WBA Featherweight Championship bout between Champion -
Antonio Gomez and Challenger - Ernesto Marcel has been re-scheduled from August 6th
to August 19th.

[Bill Paxtom]

Saturday ~ August 19, 1972

Maestranza 'Cesar Giron Bull Ring' ~ Maracay, Venezuela

~ WBA Featherweight Championship ~

Attendance ..... { 12,650 } 'Sell-Out'

* WBA Champion ~ Antonio Gomez - 39-3-0 {19 KO's} ~ 5' 6" ~ Reach; 68" ~ 123 lbs. ~ {Age; 26 years, 11 months}
vs.
#1 WBA-Ranked ~ Ernesto Marcel - 33-3-2 {20 KO's} ~ 5' 7" ~ Reach; 68" ~ 124 3/4 lbs. ~ {Age; 24 years, 3 months}
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

~ The Skinny ~

This bout will be Antonio's '2nd' Title Defense, since winning the WBA Championship on September 2, 1971.

Antonio has been experiencing problems with his quadrilaterals and lower-back, and has been taking it easy
in sparring-sessions.

The 'word' is, that Antonio has been sliding, and that he is no longer the quick-puncher that he once was.

The early Betting-Line had favored Antonio at {5-3}, but the odds have 'dropped', and now it is an 'Even Money'
bout.

Antonio Gomez >
"I will win by a Knockout by Round 12. He is fast, but eventually I will catch the Panamanian. My right-hand
is still the best punch in the division."

"He is very quick, but he can be hit."

"I have been experiencing pains in my legs {quadrilaterals}, and in my lower-back. I 've had to take it easy for a
few days. But I will ready the 'day of the fight'. It will get better, as it is something that I have experienced before.
I am used to it."

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

~ The Skinny ~

Ernesto Marcel wil be challenging for a World Title for a 2nd time. Back on November 11, 1971 > Ernesto travelled
to Japan to take on WBC Champion - Kuniaki Shibata.

In that bout, which was one of the 'Best' ever at Featherweight, Ernesto gave the Champion a battering thru
12-Rounds. But Shibata put forth an amazing late-rally to 'save' his Championship by a 'Draw'. But many
Sportswriters had Ernesto winning, and the Decision was 'justly disputed'.

'Ring Magazine' has listed Ernesto Marcel as the #1 Featherweight, ahead of Champion - Antonio Gomez
who has 'slipped' to #4 despite being the WBA Champion.