Antonio Gomez ~ "El Leon de Cumana"

[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}
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~ 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."

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~ 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.