Boxing Star Wilfredo Gomez Passes Away at 69

Puerto Rican boxing star Wilfredo “Bazooka” Gomez, a champion in three weight classes known for his powerful punches, has died at the age of 69.

Gomez won world titles in super-bantamweight, featherweight, and super-featherweight. His professional record shows 44 wins in 48 fights, with 42 of those victories coming by knockout.

Paco Valcarcel, former president of the World Boxing Organisation (WBO), confirmed Gomez's death. He paid tribute to him in a social media post on Saturday.

“He passed away a few hours ago, the one to whom I owe having entered the great family of international boxing,” Valcarcel wrote.

“Rest in peace, my eternal champion Wilfredo ‘Bazooka’ Gomez.”

The World Boxing Council (WBC) also expressed their sadness over Gomez's death. They called him “one of the greatest icons in the history of the sport.”

The WBC stated that Gomez had been in the hospital for two weeks due to respiratory problems.

During his career, Gomez became one of boxing's most feared punchers. He had memorable wins over some of the top fighters in the game.

One of his best performances was against Mexican knockout artist Carlos Zarate in 1978. Gomez stopped Zarate in the fifth round in San Juan, Puerto Rico, defending his WBC super-bantamweight title and giving Zarate his first loss after 52 straight wins.

He also had significant wins against Lupe Pintor, who was a two-weight world champion, Puerto Rican Juan Laporte, and American Rocky Lockridge.

Gomez’s reign at super-bantamweight was especially impressive. He defended his world title 17 times in a row, winning every fight by knockout. This record was highlighted by the WBC in their tribute.

But Gomez also faced tough losses in his career while going for the WBC featherweight title. In 1981, he was stopped by Mexican legend Salvador Sanchez. Ghana's Azumah Nelson knocked him out in 1984.

Despite these tough losses, Gomez's success in three weight classes made him one of the best fighters of his time.

He showed his talent early. At just 15, he competed at the 1972 Olympic Games and won gold at the first World Amateur Championships in Cuba in 1974 at 17.

In 1995, he was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame, recognizing his outstanding career.

The WBC called Gomez a legendary figure. They noted his influence went beyond the ring, leaving a lasting impact on boxing and his home country of Puerto Rico.

His amazing record of knockouts, impressive title defences, and wins over top opponents make sure that “Bazooka” Gomez will always be remembered in boxing history.