Antonio Gomez ~ "El Leon de Cumana"

[Bill Paxtom]

~ Antonio Gomez vs. Ernesto Marcel ~

Thru '8' Rounds, it had been all for the Challenger - Ernesto Marcel.

On Bill Paxtom's Scorecard it was > 80-74 {6-0-2 in Rounds} for Ernesto Marcel.
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Round 9 ....... Ernesto threw an incredible {87} punches, and domimated the entire Round .......... {10-8} > Ernesto Marcel
> Both fighters met at Center-Ring, and went head-to-head, in exchanging body blows.
> Ernesto then exploded with a {14} punch-barrage and drove Antonio into the front-left Corner.
> Ernesto hurts Antonio badly with a 'left-right' to the head at the {0:45 Mark}.
> Antonio clears his head, and moves out of the Corner at the {0:55 Mark}.
> But Ernesto meets the Champion with an {8} punch attack at the {1:00 Mark}.
> At the {1:15 Mark}, the Champion is now holding, and then backs up to the front-left Corner again.
> Ernesto slams in a good right-hand to the head, and the fighters clinch at Center-Ring at the {1:20 Mark}.
> Ernesto is completely dominating the bout, and over-whelming the Champion.
> Ernesto then 'mauls' Antonio to the back Ropes at the {1:38 Mark} and hammers him with {7} body-blows.
> The fighters trade while in close at the back-left Ropes for the next 20-Seconds.
> Ernesto then pummels Antonio with punches and drives him all the way into the front-left Corner at the {2:10 Mark}.
> Ernesto then slams in {3} hard-left hooks into Antonio's right-eye, opening a gash on the eye-brow at the {2:13 Mark}.

> Antonio paws at his right-eye, as Referee - Luis Salbaran looks in, and calls 'Time' at the {2:15 Mark}.
> The Referee walks Antonio over to the Medical Commissioner at the front-right Ringside.
> At the same time, Ernesto has his hands raised at Center-Ring, thinking that the bout will be stopped.
> After examining the 'gash' for {40-Seconds}, the Medical Commissioner allows the bout to continue.

> Both fighters meet at Center-Ring, and go head-to-head for 15-Seconds.
> Ernesto scores with a volley of {4} punches that drives Antonio backwards into the right-side Ropes at the {2:32 Mark}.
> Ernesto now pours it on with a {10} punch assault, and Antonio is now driven left to the front Ropes at the {2:49 Mark}.
> Ernesto catches the Champion with another {7} punch volley, and Antonio reels to his left and into the front-left Corner.
> Ernesto adds in {1} good right-uppercut just before the Bell.

This Round was so dominating for Ernesto Marcel, that it should have been scored ... {10-8} by the Officials.

[Bill Paxtom]

~ Antonio Gomez vs. Ernesto Marcel ~

Round 10 ........ Ernesto threw only {23} punches, in a Round that he primarily spent catching his 'second-wind' ....... {10-9} > Antonio Gomez
> Both fighters meet at Center-Ring, at stay head-to-head mauling for 25-Seconds.
> Ernesto lets go with a {5} left-jabs while circling around Antonio at the {0:30 Mark}.
> Antonio catches Ernesto with a 'big' right-hand counter to the chin at the {0:32 Mark}.
> Ernesto 'wobbles' for a second, and then moves in close to Antonio to smother him.
> Ernesto counters with {2} left-hooks to the body at the {0:38 Mark}.
> Both fighters clinch at the {0:45 Mark}.
> Ernesto scores with {3} left-hooks at the {0:54 Mark}.
> Both fighters are at Center-Ring.
> Ernesto lands with {2} grazing-punches to Antonio's head.
> Ernesto 'bulls' Antonio into the back-right Corner.
> Ernesto is 'smartly' resting on Antonio.
> The fighter's move out to Center-Ring at the {1:15 Mark}.
> Antonio is now sporting a 'swollen' left eye-lid.
> Antonio gets off with a 'hard' 4-Punch combination at the {1:19 Mark}.
> Ernesto bends low and keeps his hands by his head to block any follow-ups.
> Ernesto bulls Antonio into the front-right Corner at the {1:23 Mark}.
> Ernesto is using his head to push into Antonio's head.
> Antonio scores with {2} good right-hands to the head at the {1:31 Mark}.
> Ernesto backs out to Center-Ring, and stays away.
> The Champion is now showing some 'vigor'.
> Antonio scores with a 'left-right' to the head.
> Ernesto is forced to 'grab-and-hold' at the {1:46 Mark}.
> Ernesto looks a bit 'groggy'.
> Ernesto moves in close, and clinches at the {1:55 Mark}.
> Ernesto gets clear, and is staying away from the Champion now.
> At the {2:10 Mark} > Ernesto is dancing-and-circling.
> Ernesto moves in and lands with a 'weak' left-right to the body at the {2:20 Mark}.
> Ernesto lands with another 'light' left-right.
> Both fighters are in tight-and-close at the {2:25 Mark}, and are mauling each other.
> Ernesto 'smartly' moves outside, and circles-and-moves to catch a 'second-wind'.
> Ernesto looks slightly weakened at the {2:34 Mark}.
> Ernesto throws a 'weak' right-hand to the body.
> Ernesto goes back to moving for then next 20-Seconds.
> Ernesto scores with a 'leaping' right-hand lead to the Champion's head just before the Bell.

Note > Ernesto 'cracked' his head on the Champion's right-eye at the 'Bell'.

Note > Immediately, Antonio 'pawed' at his right-eye, which was cut and 'puffy'.

[Bill Paxtom]

~ Antonio Gomez vs. Ernesto Marcel ~

Round 11 ..... Ernesto threw a 'crazy' amount of {79} punches, in a one-sided session..... {9-8} > Ernesto Marcel
> Both fighters meet at Center-Ring, and go head-to-head pushing each other.
> Ernesto peppers the Champion's face with {2} left-jabs at the {0:14 Mark}.
> Ernesto circles to his right, and with nimble footwork.
> Antonio is stationary at Center-Ring at the {0:26 Mark}.
> Ernesto moves to the right-side Ropes at the {0:30 Mark}.
> As Antonio moves forward, Ernesto lowers his head and crashes forward into the Champion's left-eye.
> Antonio grimaces, and paws at his right-eye.

> Immediately at the {0:33 Mark}, Referee - Luis Salbaran steps in a 'deducts' {1-Point} from the Challenger.

> At the {0:39 Mark} the fight resumes at Center-Ring.
> Both exchange {3} hard-blows at the {0:48 Mark}.
> Ernesto moves in close, and holds at the {0:56 Mark}.
> Antonio is 'too slow' to counter.
> The Champion gets off a good 'right-left-left' at the {1:02 Mark}.
> Ernesto comes right back with a {3} punch volley to Antonio's mid-section.
> Antonio is bothered by the body-blows, and bends.
> Ernesto sensing the Champion is hurt, attacks with a {13} punch-assault.
> Antonio moves backwards into the front-left Corner.
> Referee - Luis Salbaran steps in at the {1:25 Mark}, and warns Ernesto about low-punches.
> Both fighters are at Center-Ring at the {1:37 Mark}.
> Ernesto unloads with a {6} punch-volley.
> Antonio is now driven backwards into the left-side Ropes at the {1:42 Mark}.
> The Champion attempts to counter, but misses badly.
> The Challenger goes all-out with a {13} punch assault at the {1:53 Mark}.
> Antonio is now driven back into the front-left Corner.
> Ernesto slams in a 'left-right' at the {2:09 Mark}.
> Ernesto backs out to Center-Ring to assess the situation.
> Ernesto the attacks, and slams away with an {11} punch barrage that drives the Champion into the front-right Ropes..
> At the {2:31 Mark}, Ernesto staggers the Champion with a 'left-right', and sends Antonio into the front-right Corner.
> Ernesto goes wild again with a {9} punch assault.
> Ernesto catches the Champion with a good left-hook to the face at the {2:42 Mark}.
> Antonio tries to fight back, and moves out of the Corner at the {2:44 Mark}.
> Ernesto stops the Champion in his tracks, as he slams away with a {9} punch barrage at the {2:50 Mark}.
> Ernesto then 'heaves' the Champion into the right-side front Ropes.
> Ernesto then 'peppers' the Champion's face with {3} left-jabs before the Bell.

Note > Ernesto Marcel over-whelmed the Champion in this Round. Antonio Gomez took a lathering, and was
only able to land {6} punches in the Round.

Note > It was 'clearly' a {2-Point} Round for the Challenger. But, Ernesto had {1-Point} deducted for an 'intentional'
head-butt.

Note> A proper score of {9-8} was warranted.






>

[Bill Paxtom]

~ Antonio Gomez vs. Ernesto Marcel ~

Round 12 ..... Ernesto threw another high amount of {58} punches, and dominated the Round ....{10-9} > Ernesto Marcel
> Ernesto cruised over the first-half of the session.
> During the second-half of the session, it was all Ernesto, as he worked both the body and head.
> Antonio had a cut left-eye, swollen eye-lids, a bloody nose and bloody mouth.
> The Champion was getting 'thrashed' by the fast-handed Panamanian Challenger.

Round 13 ..... A near replay of Round 12, as Ernesto threw {63} punches, and was in complete command. ........ {10-9} > Ernesto Marcel
> Ernesto again laid-back over the first {1:00}.
> Ernesto took over at the {1:10 Mark}, and landed a steady-flow of 'Bee-Sting' punches.
> Ernesto 'peppered' the Champion with light {but quick} punches to the face.
> The Challenger also added in a good mixture of hooks to the mid-section and sides of the Champion.

Round 14 ..... Ernesto boxed smoothly, and still landed with {52} punches in another dominant Round ........ {10-9} > Ernesto Marcel
> Ernesto dances-and-circles for the first 40-Seconds.
> Ernesto then attacked, but sent in several low-blows on the Champion.
< There was a 'halt to the action' at the {0:45 Mark}, as Referee - Luis Salbaran gave the Champion {14-Seconds} to recover.
> When the action resumed, both fighters went toe-to-toe for 20-Seconds.
> By the {1:25 Mark}, Ernesto had taken complete control, and was man-handling the Champion in the front-right Corner.
> Ernesto continued to punch away, as the Champion could do little.
> Ernesto's punches had no power, but they came in rapid and steady on Antonio.

Round 15 ...... Ernesto while fighting 'safely-and-smart', threw only {15} punches in 'safety-first' Round ......... {10-10} > 'Even'
> Ernesto came out moving to his left, and circled the Champion.
> Ernesto had no intentions of trading, as he is 'miles ahead' on Points.
> Ernesto then changes direction, and circles to his right.
> Ernesto jumps in an attacks with a {5} punch flurry.
> At the {1:00 Mark} > The Panamanian contingent cheers > "Marcel, Marcel", then "Panama, Panama".
> Ernesto goes back to moving and circling.
> A 'frustrated' Antonio Gomez drops his hands, and gestures to Ernesto > "Come on, lets fight."
> Ernesto moves in in the Champion, and swarms all over him with light-punches.
> The action slows over the 2nd-Half, as Ernesto is too 'cool of a customer' to make a mistake.
> Antonio continues to look for an opening that never comes.
> Bell.

After the Bell >

> The Champion - Antonio Gomez throws his hands out at the Ernesto Marcel in disgust.
> Ernesto does the same thing back to Antonio

> After 5-Seconds they change their attitude and hug each other at Center-Ring.

[Bill Paxtom]

Saturday ~ August 19, 1972

~ Ernesto Marcel Takes WBA Title From Antonio Gomez ~

Young Panamanian Challenger - Ernesto Marcel battered WBA Feathwerweight Champion - Antonio Gomez
from the 'opening bell', and throughout in a one-sided 15-Round bout.

The 24 year-old Panamanina used lightning hand-speed with quick combinations, as well as fast right-hand
leads, as he gave the 27 year-old Champion from Venezuela a bad-beating in nearly every Round.

Ernesto Marcel 'shook up' the Champion in Rounds {6, 7, 8, and 9}, and had Gomez on the Ropes while
dishing out flurries to the head and face.

By the 10th Round, Antonio Gomez was bleeding from the mouth, nose and right-eye brow, as well as
having puffy eye-lids. At no time did the Champion look like a winner, as he was unable to deliver
his vaunted right-hand, except for a few brief times during Rounds {4, 5 and 10}.

The Challenger was unable to floor the Champion, despite having him in serious trouble several times
during the 11th Round.

The fast-handed and fleet-footed Panamanian cruised over the last 4-Rounds, and won a one-sided and
convincing Decision, despite {1} Official having an absurd Scorecard, by calling the bout a 'Draw'.

Scorecards
* Judge - Carlos R. Cataya ...... 146-146 > 'Even'
* Judge - Santos Arizmendi ..... 148-141 > Ernesto Marcel
* Referee - Luis Salbaran ........ 148-144 > Ernesto Marcel

The Associated Press scored the bout > 148-139 for Ernesto Marcel.
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Antonio Gomez >
"My opponent beat me. He clearly won. I just couldn't get going tonight, and I want to say that I'm sorry
to my supporters here in Caracas."

Ernesto Marcel >
"I knew that Antonio could not match me in speed. So I just kept throwing punches and I prevented
him from getting set to throw his powerful right-hand.

"If he wants a rematch, I will give him one. He was a good Champion, and he gave me an opportunity
to fight for the WBA Championship when I asked for one. I'll always respect him for that. He didn't
make excuses."

[Bill Paxtom]

~ Antonio Gomez ~

September 15, 1972

"I will take some time off, to rest. I am {Age; 27 years-old} now, and it is more
difficult to prepare for fights now. When I was younger, it was much easier."

"I will most likely not box for the rest of the year, as I have been experiencing
problems with my back and 'quadrilaterals'. I will return in 1973, and will get my
Title back."