Antonio Gomez ~ "El Leon de Cumana"

[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."