|
|
|
|
Juan Carlos Gomez
|
| |
|
| |
Juan Carlos Gómez (born July 26, 1973 in Havana, Cuba) is a professional boxer. Gómez, a former Cuban amateur star, fromer WBC Cruserweight Champion and devout Muslim, boxes out of Hamburg, Germany.
efected from Cuba during a stay in Germany.
"I didn't choose boxing," said Cuban defector Juan Carlos Gómez in a recent interview. "They chose it for me in Cuba.
Discussion
Ask a question about 'Juan Carlos Gomez' Start a new discussion about 'Juan Carlos Gomez' Answer questions from other users |
Encyclopedia
Juan Carlos Gómez (born July 26, 1973 in Havana, Cuba) is a professional boxer. Gómez, a former Cuban amateur star, fromer WBC Cruserweight Champion and devout Muslim, boxes out of Hamburg, Germany.
Early years and defection
He defected from Cuba during a stay in Germany.
"I didn't choose boxing," said Cuban defector Juan Carlos Gómez in a recent interview. "They chose it for me in Cuba. I wanted to become a baseball player. That was always my dream. But, you know, in Cuba you are not allowed to make your own decisions."
Amateur career
- 1990 - Gold Medal World Junior Championships in Lima at 75kg
- 1994 - Represented Cuba at the Chemistry Cup, his results were:
Defeated Jan Schwank (Germany) 9-4
Lost to Sven Ottke (Germany) 9-9
- 1994 - Competed at the USA Vs Cuba Cup in Ledyard, USA
Defeated Antonio Tarver (USA) 10-10
- 1995 - Represented Cuba at the Chemistry Cup, his results were:
Lost to Thomas Ulrich (Germany)12-16
Pro
The southpaw turned pro as a cruiser for Universum box promotions.
On February 21, 1998, in Mar Del Plata, Argentina, Gómez won the WBC Cruiserweight title from reigning champion, Marcelo Fabian Dominguez via a unanimous decision.
Nicknamed "Black Panther", Gómez ruled the cruiserweight division from 1998-2001, successfully defending his WBC Cruiserweight Title twelve times.
Among his notable defenses were those against Dominguez (rematch), Imamu Mayfield and smaller Jorge Castro (boxer) who was KOd for the first time. James Toney declined a title shot when he was mandatory and later fought and beat Vassily Jirov.
He then vacated the title in February 2002 in order to move up to the Heavyweight ranks.
Heavyweight
In 2001 Gómez he had tested the waters in the heavyweight division and beaten durable veteran Al Cole (another former Cruiserweight champ) by TKO 6. Gómez then moved back down to defend his title against Pietro Aurino, and after defeating Aurino he moved up to heavyweight permanently.
Gómez has had some success at heavyweight, capturing wins over Sinan Samil Sam and David Defiagbon, but was shockingly TKO'd by fellow Cuban Yanqui Diaz in the first round in 2004.
Gómez defeated Don King promoted Oliver McCall via a ten round decision, a result which was changed shortly thereafter to a no contest after Gomez failed a post-fight drug test due to a presence of cocaine . Gómez vehemently denied the charge and backed this up by producing a negative sample where no drugs were found in his system. . After that he converted to the Black Muslims, Gómez stated “After they stole my victory over Oliver McCall because of doping in October 2005 I was totally devastated. I swear that I never doped in my life. After the fight I went to the USA where I was built up by the Black Muslim community. That’s why I converted to Islam. I thank Allah for giving me back my courage, energy and self esteem." Gómez then returned to the ring on December 15th, 2006 and in October 19 of 2007, once again outpointed Oliver McCall winning the WBC International Heavyweight title in the process, then on September 27, 2008, at the Color Line Arena in Hamburg, Germany, Gómez defeated Vladimir Virchis to become the #1 contender for the WBC heavyweight title.
Gómez is now set to face WBC Heavyweight titleholder Vitali Klitschko on March 21 in Stuttgart, Germany.
External links
|
| |
|
|
