Michael Gomez

Michael Gomez
Statistics
Real name Michael Armstrong
Nickname(s)
  • The Predator
  • The Irish Mexican
  • The Mancunian Mexican
  • The Manchester Mexican[1]
Rated at
Height 5 ft 5 1⁄2 in (166 cm)
Reach 68 in (173 cm)
Born (1977-06-21) 21 June 1977
Longford, County Longford, Ireland
Stance Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights 48
Wins 38
Wins by KO 25
Losses 10

Michael Gomez (born Michael Armstrong; 21 June 1977) is a former professional boxer who competed from 1995 to 2009. He was born to an Irish Traveller family in Longford, County Longford, Ireland, spending his early years in Dublin before moving to London and later Manchester, England, with his family at the age of nine. In boxing he was affectionately known as the "The Irish Mexican" and "The Predator".

Despite finishing his career fighting in the lightweight division, Gomez is more notable for his fights at featherweight and super-featherweight.[2] During his career he amassed a number of regional championships, most significantly the British super-featherweight title twice, from 1999 to 2004. He also held the WBU super featherweight title from 2004 to 2005.[2][3]

Gomez, who has been compared to Johnny Tapia, has lived a turbulent life and was often involved in controversial fights.[4] In Gomez's initial matches he suffered a number of losses to journeyman opposition but then went on a run of victories which stretched for almost four years.[2] Of his 17 fights between February 2001 and March 2008, 16 ended in knockouts.[2][4] Concerns arose about his drinking and failure to adhere to his diet and training regimes after a loss to László Bognár in 2001.[5] Gomez appeared to be "back on track"[5] in 2003, with his high-profile fight against Edinburgh-based fighter Alex Arthur for the British and WBA Inter-Continental super-featherweight titles, which Gomez won by knocking out Arthur in the fifth round.[4][5]

In 2006, Gomez suffered a controversial loss to Peter McDonagh when, in the middle of a round, he dropped his guard and walked out of the ring, later saying he had retired from boxing.[6] He returned to the ring after a 15-month interval. On 21 June 2008, Gomez lost what was seen as possibly his last bout: a last chance saloon opportunity to resurrect his career against rising star and Olympic silver medallist Amir Khan.[7][8] Although scoring a surprise knockdown against Khan early on, the fight ended with Gomez being stopped in five rounds.[9]

Gomez took the surname Gomez after his childhood hero Wilfredo Gómez.[10][11]

Background

Michael Armstrong was born into an Irish traveller family in Longford, Ireland. His mother went into labour with him while driving, so his partially sighted father took over the wheel but crashed the car into a lamp post on the way to the hospital; Michael was delivered in the back seat. The Armstrong family moved to Ballymun, Dublin, and, when Michael was age nine, to Manchester, England.[10][12]

Padwork with Bobby Rimmer

Following the family's move to England, Armstrong's father's eyesight failed further due to retinitis pigmentosa. By that time, there were ten children in the Armstrong family. After his younger sister, Louise, died from sudden infant death syndrome, his mother left the family to live with another woman.[8][12] Armstrong subsequently spent much of his youth in various children's homes, and was a serial truant from school. His mother had taught him to shoplift as a child, and he was involved in petty crime throughout his youth in Manchester.[10] At nine years old, he began training at Brian Hughes' Collyhurst and Moston Boys' Club. He also played football for a local North Manchester team until the club received so many fines for Armstrong's fighting on the pitch that they were unable to pay them. At this point, he stopped playing football to concentrate on his training in the ring.[10][12] During his time in the children's home Armstrong met Alison, who has remained his companion (and later his wife) throughout his professional career; they were parents by the time Armstrong was 17.[10][13]

Early professional career

Armstrong boxed as an amateur before turning professional in June 1995. He chose the professional surname "Gomez" when the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBoC) required him to select another name at the time of his registration as a professional; there was another boxer in the same weight division using the name "Michael Armstrong". He chose his ring name in honour of Puerto Rican boxer Wilfredo Gómez, whose videotaped fights Armstrong had studied intently as a youth.[10][11] The name, combined with Gomez's "brawling style",[14] earned him the nickname of "the Irish Mexican". He developed a ring persona based on this nickname, which has remained popular with fans throughout his career. His ring entrance music is that of a Mexican Mariachi band, a reference to his Hispanic-sounding chosen name, and many of his supporters wear sombreros to his fights and wave Irish flags. Gomez also wears long Mexican-style boxing shorts in the colours of the flag of Ireland and often has the shape of a shamrock shaved into the hair on the back of his head.[7][11][15]

In his debut fight at the G-Mex Leisure Centre, Manchester, England, Gomez beat previously undefeated Danny Ruegg on the undercard of a bill that included Robin Reid and Michael Brodie. Despite this initial win, Gomez's early career was littered with losses to journeyman fighters such as Greg Upton and Chris Williams.[2][16]

Training on bodywork with Bobby Rimmer

In 1996, Gomez was charged with murder after a gang fight outside a nightclub in Manchester. Gomez had hit one of his attackers, Sam Parle, who died after his head hit the pavement as a result of the blow. The charge was later reduced to manslaughter and Gomez was cleared after it was ruled that he had acted in self-defence.[12]

After this shaky beginning in the professional ranks, Gomez had a run of victories from September 1997 to February 1999. During this period Gomez won seven straight fights before challenging for his first title belt, the vacant British Central Area featherweight title against Chris Jickells on 27 February 1999 in Oldham. Gomez won the title with a fifth-round knockout. He followed his first title win by adding another championship, the IBF Inter-Continental featherweight title, with a second-round knockout over Nigel Leake.[16]

Move to super featherweight

Later that year, Gomez relinquished his championship belts in a bid to move up to the super featherweight division. His first fight in the division, in September 1999, was for the vacant British super featherweight title, against the experienced and much heralded Liverpudlian fighter Gary Thornhill.[17] Gomez defeated Thornhill with a second-round knockout.[2] In November 1999, Gomez faced off against Mexican Jose Manjarrez for the WBO Inter-Continental super featherweight title, walking away with the title based on the judges' scores after the full twelve rounds. In 1999, Gomez won four title belts, was undefeated during the year and was also named "Young Boxer of the Year" by the British Boxing Writers' Club.[3][16][18] He continued his winning form into 2000 with another run of six wins, and successfully defended his British super featherweight title against Dean Pithie, Carl Greaves and Ian McLeod.[2]

Bognar and Lear fights

Gomez's first fight in 2001 was on 10 February against Hungarian boxer Laszlo Bognar for the WBO Inter-Continental super featherweight title, in Widnes, Cheshire. Gomez had Bognar on the canvas in the fifth round, but Bognar recovered from this knockdown and used his southpaw jab to keep Gomez from closing in. In the ninth round referee Dave Paris stopped the fight following a double left from Bognar, which had Gomez stricken against the ropes. Gomez felt the fight had been stopped prematurely and that he should have been allowed to continue. Gomez later stated that he was suffering from flu and should not have taken the fight. The Daily Telegraph reported after the match that the pre-fight weigh-in and medical examination were not carried out in accordance with BBBC regulations: the volunteer inspector left before Bognar and Gomez had weighed in, and the medical examiner had not detected that Gomez was ill.[17][19][20]

Gomez sought a rematch against Bognar, and five months later in July 2001 the pair met again, this time in Manchester, resulting in a victory for Gomez. The fight started badly for Gomez when he suffered a flash knockdown in the first round and was down again in the second. Gomez came back to knock Bognar down near the end of the second round. Gomez came out firing at the start of the third round and finished the fight with a fourth and final knockdown to avenge his earlier defeat.[20] He followed up his victory over Bognar with a second-round knockout of Scottish fighter Craig Docherty for another British super featherweight title win.[2]

His next opponent was unbeaten West Ham-based fighter Kevin Lear on 1 June 2002, again in Manchester, on the undercard of the Ricky Hatton vs. Eamonn Magee fight.[2] Lear, a former Amateur Boxing Association of England (ABA) champion, kept a one-dimensional Gomez at bay with his sharp jab from the outset of the fight. Gomez took several punches to the face, and his nose began to bleed heavily starting in the sixth round. By the eighth round Gomez was slowing, suffering the effects of Lear's continuing barrage of combinations. At the end of the eighth round Gomez's trainer Brian Hughes retired his fighter, giving Lear a surprise victory.[21]

The defeat to Lear, and the manner in which the fight ended, prompted Hughes, Gomez's longtime mentor and trainer, to ask Gomez to retire from boxing. This event signalled the end of the relationship between Gomez and Hughes; soon after, Gomez crossed Manchester to join Ricky Hatton and former Collyhurst gym stablemate Anthony Farnell at the rival Phoenix Gym run by Billy Graham.[22][23] Gomez followed the defeat to Lear with a string of three wins, all by knockout.[2]

During the period between the first Bognar fight and the loss to Lear, Gomez's life spun out of control. He was "boozing, brawling and womanising",[10] and was convicted of four drink-drive offenses.[5] During a street fight, Gomez was stabbed and badly injured—his heart stopped beating for 148 seconds while on the operating table.[5][19]

Alex Arthur fight

Gomez sparring with headgear

Following his change in trainer, Gomez was contracted for the highest profile fight of his career against Edinburgh-based fighter "Amazing" Alex Arthur for the British and WBA Inter-Continental super featherweight titles. The fight took place in a sold-out Meadowbank Stadium in October 2003, in what was the first professional boxing card in Edinburgh in almost 20 years.[24]

Prior to the fight, Arthur had opined during interviews that "looking deep into Gomez's eyes at the press conference, I'm not sure even he believes he can win. He'll be so fired up I expect it'll take me eight or nine rounds but, if his resistance has gone as people are saying, it could be a lot sooner."[24] With respect to his approach to the fight, Arthur added "I see about 20 ways to beat him. I'm just looking forward to shutting him up."[25]

Arthur, who was looking to retain the BBBofC Lonsdale Belt, was seen as a rising star in British boxing. He was a strong favourite to win the bout against Gomez, who was perceived to have been through too many battles and abused his body too much, and the fight was seen as a stepping stone on Arthur's way to a future world championship.[4][17] However, Freddie Roach, Arthur's trainer, was criticised when he remained in the United States to coach another boxer instead of continuing to work with Arthur to prepare for his championship match.[25][26]

Gomez proved his critics wrong when he arrived at the fight in prime condition and with aggression, determination and desire.[4] The first two rounds started at a furious pace, with Arthur keeping Gomez at bay with stiff jabs and Gomez working inside with hooks and body punches. The match was turning into a clash of opposing styles, Arthur displaying control and boxing technique and Gomez storming forward with wild ferocity.[4] From the third round the fight began to turn Gomez's way. Gomez cut Arthur in the third and silenced the home crowd, who were not used to seeing the home-town hero being battered in this manner. Gomez dominated the fourth round and was in full control of the fight—he exposed Arthur's weak defence and at one stage landed 28 punches without reply.[4][27]

Gomez knocked down his opponent twice before delivering a jarring left hook to Arthur, knocking Arthur to the canvas for the third time. Referee John Coyle stopped the fight, and Gomez won with the resulting TKO in the fifth round.[4][27] The match was hailed as one of the best fights in Britain for a decade. Boxing promoter Frank Warren called the fight "the greatest contest seen on these shores since Nigel Benn beat Gerald McClellan in 1995".[28] Retired Scottish boxer Ken Buchanan said it was one of the best fights he had ever seen.[4]

Gomez attended Arthur's next fight against Ugandan Michael Kizza in Meadowbank, Scotland, but Arthur did not appear when Gomez fought Ben Odamattey for the WBU super featherweight title in Manchester a few weeks later. Gomez pointed this out when being interviewed shortly afterward, adding "Sky Television want a return. Frank Warren, Arthur's manager, wants a re-match. And most of all so do I."[29] Arthur responded by saying "the fight (with Gomez) is definitely going to happen. Hopefully I'll get another warm-up fight in June and then take on Gomez in September."[29] Despite the rhetoric, the two fighters did not meet each other in the ring again.[2]

WBU world title

In March 2004, Gomez fought Ghanaian Ben Odamattey for the WBU super featherweight title at the MEN Arena in Manchester, winning the championship by stopping Odamattey in the third round.[23][29] He retained his WBU title in his next two fights against Justin Juuko and Leva Kirakosyan with knockout wins. Gomez then faced Argentinian boxer "El Vikingo" Javier Osvaldo Alvarez in February 2005, once again fighting at the MEN Arena in Manchester. WBO super middleweight title holder Joe Calzaghe had been scheduled to top the bill but pulled out of his arranged fight, and Gomez and Alvarez were slotted as the main attraction.[30][31]

The pair clashed at the weigh in, and this antagonism carried into the ring; from the outset of the fight Gomez tried to draw Alvarez into a brawl. Gomez appeared to win the first two rounds behind stinging jabs, but Alvarez seemed unruffled. In the third round, Alvarez started to take control of the fight and landed several blows to Gomez's face. Gomez began quickly in the fourth round, attacking Alvarez from behind his jab and working his way through his opponent's defense.[30][31] Alvarez appeared content to catch Gomez as he moved forward. Despite Gomez's strong start, Alvarez dazed Gomez with a stiff right hand shot in the fourth round, after which the Argentinian launched into a furious onslaught. Gomez steadied in the fifth but was visibly tired. Two minutes into the sixth round, Alvarez floored Gomez with a right hook. Gomez beat the count and Alvarez then moved in to continue his attack. Referee Mickey Vann stopped the fight after 2 minutes 25 seconds of the round with Gomez pinned to the ropes and taking significant punishment.[30][31]

Peter McDonagh controversy

Gomez was out of the ring for almost a year following the Alvarez fight and was next due to fight Willie Limond for the WBU lightweight title, but turned down the opportunity for a chance to fight for an Irish title. Gomez then signed up to fight fellow English-based Irishman, Peter McDonagh, for the Irish lightweight title on the undercard of a Bernard Dunne fight on 28 January 2006 at the National Stadium, Dublin. After the fight was signed Gomez stated "I just can't wait to get my hands on that Irish title because I've been desperate to fight in Ireland for years."[32][33]

Leading up to the fight McDonagh was making visits to see paranormalist Uri Geller as "mind coach" to help him prepare mentally for the fight, and Geller also travelled with him to Dublin for the fight. Gomez commented that "I'm not sure Uri Geller will be of much use to him though because there won't be any spoons in that ring for him to bend. The only thing I plan on bending is some of McDonagh's ribs with my body punches."[34]

The first four rounds were relatively close, with Gomez leading according to pundits, but the fight ended in the fifth round under bizarre circumstances when for no apparent reason Gomez stopped fighting and failed to defend himself. He then received a number of unanswered punches from McDonagh before being floored. Gomez rose from the canvas immediately but appeared to ignore the referee and walk towards his corner while the referee continued with his count. Gomez then left the ring as the referee was waving the fight off. RTÉ commentator Steve Collins said "I smell a rat, something's not right here."[6][35][36]

The Boxing Union of Ireland (BUI) initially suspended both fighters' purses, and investigated reports of unusual betting patterns, with large sums of money being placed on McDonagh to win inside the distance and more specifically in the fifth round. Odds on McDonagh to win the fight in the fifth round had been cut from 125–1 to 18–1 by the afternoon of the bout.[36] Following their investigation, the BUI released the purses to each of the fighters, stating "Michael Gomez and Peter McDonagh confirmed that neither they, their families, nor any person in their camp, as far as they were aware, betted on the fight."[37] The BUI did express disappointment that the bookmaker, Boylesports, who had suspended wagering on the bout due to the unusual betting patterns, had chosen not to reply to the investigators' queries.[37] Gomez later explained the loss by saying that "it was all very simple, I just came to a decision in there that I need to retire from boxing full stop".[38] Gomez further indicated that he planned to pursue a career in bodybuilding. McDonagh, meanwhile, claimed that he had won because of Gellar's assistance leading up to the bout.[36]

Gomez sought a second opportunity to fight McDonagh; in April 2007, he offered to fight for only his training costs.[39] Finally, their rematch for the Irish lightweight title, to be billed as "Redemption", was set for 23 May 2008,[40] but McDonagh pulled out of the scheduled bout.[41]

Return to the ring

Gomez working the pads

Gomez found himself once again drawn to boxing after watching a fight between Alex Arthur and Carl Johanneson, and resumed training. In May 2007, fifteen months after his fight with McDonagh, he returned to the ring to face Daniel Thorpe at the Altrincham Leisure Centre, Manchester.[42]

Gomez had left the Phoenix Gym and was now training at Bobby Rimmers' Boxing Academy in Stalybridge, Manchester, and had returned to fight in the super featherweight division. The fight was billed as "The Last Stand", and the venue was sold out with fellow fighters Ricky Hatton and his brother Matthew Hatton cheering him on from ringside. Gomez won the fight with a stoppage in the third round.[43] The following month Gomez also beat Youssef Al Hamidi, again with a third round stoppage.[42] Following two comeback fights against journeyman opposition Gomez was rumoured to be in line for fights against many of Britain and Ireland's top level super featherweights and lightweights including Kevin Mitchell, Amir Khan, and Carl Johanneson; Gomez himself was seeking a rematch against Peter McDonagh.[42][44]

He then signed up to face Leeds's Johanneson on 19 October 2007 at the Doncaster Dome, Doncaster, England for the British super featherweight title.[2] Johanneson had just come off his second defeat to Armenian Leva Kirakosyan, whom Gomez had knocked out in October 2004.[2][45] Before the fight, Gomez was confident, stating "You can't outbox me. I'll jab your head off. If he comes to have a fight with me it is going to be early Christmas for everyone because I don't know who's going to go but someone's going to go and it's not going to be me."[46] At the pre-fight press conference in Doncaster both fighters squared up to each other and promised to knock each other out; during the highly charged face off both fighters had to be kept apart by their promoter and trainers.[47]

As many expected, the highly anticipated domestic clash was a savage brawl from round one. Gomez won the opening rounds and threatened to overpower Johanneson from the opening seconds. The Leeds fighter then gained the upper hand as the fight went on, flooring Gomez in the sixth round only for the "Irish Mexican" to rise from the canvas. Soon after, with Gomez appearing unsteady on his feet, referee Mickey Vann stopped the fight.[48][49] Gomez said that Vann had stopped the fight early, adding, "When the stoppage came, I wasn't wobbling or staggering, and I only dropped my hands in the fight to show Johanneson that he couldn't hurt me. But the referee simply got the wrong message. It was bad refereeing. I told him straight away I was fine, but he insisted on showing me to my corner." The former champion was clear that he wanted another opportunity to fight for the British title.[50]

Amir Khan fight

Gomez fought Amir Khan for the Commonwealth lightweight title at the National Indoor Arena, Birmingham, on 21 June 2008, Gomez's thirty-first birthday. Khan said that "there is no way he will be as fit as me, so I expect a spectacular stoppage".[51] Gomez did not attend the scheduled pre-fight press conference, prompting Khan to deride him, and promoter Frank Warren accused Gomez of failing to show respect to Khan and the media.[52]

During the fight Khan knocked Gomez to the canvas in the first round with a barrage of hooks and uppercuts. In the second round, Gomez caught Khan with a left hook, knocking down the younger fighter and exposing his defensive weakness; however, Khan steadied himself after the mandatory eight-count, and cut Gomez above the left eye before the round ended.[53] Gomez caught Khan in the ribs with a left hook in the fourth round which left Khan unstable for a moment, but Khan responded with a flurry of hooks and jabs. Khan landed a "cracking left hook" in the fifth,[9] but Gomez beat the count. At 2:32 of the fifth round, referee John Keane stopped the fight when Gomez was knocked into the ropes by a Khan left uppercut.[54] After the fight, Khan said he felt he had moved up a level by "fighting world class fighters like Gomez."[55]

Before the fight, sports writers considered Gomez a tough opponent for Khan, with his "knockout punch" and his success against Alex Arthur in similar circumstances,[8] despite having lost three of his last six fights.[56] Gomez saw the fight as an opportunity to reignite his career; in an interview shortly before the fight he spoke of how "[t]his fight really is my last chance to set myself up for life and become known in every household in Britain".[57] At the same time, he reflected on the positive effects of his career in the ring, saying "Boxing kept my feet on the ground and gave me a focus. It's got me through the bad times and calmed me down. If it wasn't for boxing, I wouldn't have my beautiful wife and family".[13] Gomez lives with his wife Alison and their three children in Manchester.[13][44]

Professional boxing record

Professional record summary
48 fights 38 wins 10 losses
By knockout 25 7
By decision 13 3
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
48 Loss 38–10 Ricky Burns TKO 7 (12), 0:47 27 Mar 2009 Bellahouston Leisure Centre, Glasgow, Scotland For Commonwealth super-featherweight title
47 Win 38–9 Chris Long PTS 6 21 Dec 2008 Dalziel Park Hotel and Conference Centre, Motherwell, Scotland
46 Win 37–9 Baz Carey PTS 6 10 Oct 2008 Dalziel Park Hotel and Conference Centre, Motherwell, Scotland
45 Win 36–9 Chris Brophy TKO 2 (4) 29 Sep 2008 Municipal Hall, Colne, England
44 Loss 35–9 Amir Khan TKO 5 (12), 2:33 21 Jun 2008 National Indoor Arena, Birmingham, England For Commonwealth lightweight title
43 Win 35–8 Baz Carey PTS 6 29 Mar 2008 Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre
42 Loss 34–8 Carl Johanneson TKO 6 (12), 2:50 19 Oct 2007 The Dome Leisure Centre, Doncaster, England For British super-featherweight title
41 Win 34–7 Youssef al-Hamidi TKO 3 (6), 1:24 24 Jun 2007 Robin Park Arena, Wigan, England
40 Win 33–7 Daniel Thorpe TKO 3 (6), 2:25 6 May 2007 Leisure Centre, Altrincham, England
39 Loss 32–7 Peter McDonagh TKO 6 (12), 2:04 28 Jan 2006 National Stadium, Dublin, Ireland For vacant Irish lightweight title
38 Loss 32–6 Javier Osvaldo Alvarez TKO 6 (12), 2:25 11 Feb 2005 MEN Arena, Manchester, England Lost WBU super-featherweight title
37 Win 32–5 Levan Kirakosyan TKO 6 (12) 1 Oct 2004 MEN Arena, Manchester, England Retained WBU super-featherweight title
36 Win 31–5 Justin Juuko TKO 2 (12), 2:05 22 May 2004 Kingsway Leisure Centre, Widnes, England Retained WBU super-featherweight title
35 Win 30–5 Ben Odamattey TKO 5 (12), 1:30 3 Apr 2004 MEN Arena, Manchester, England Won vacant WBU super-featherweight title
34 Win 29–5 Alex Arthur TKO 5 (12), 2:58 25 Oct 2003 Meadowbank Stadium, Edinburgh, Scotland Won WBA Inter-Continental and British super-featherweight titles
33 Win 28–5 Wladimir Borov TKO 3 (8), 1:57 5 Apr 2003 MEN Arena, Manchester, England
32 Win 27–5 Rakhim Mingaleyev RTD 4 (8), 3:00 18 Jan 2003 Guild Hall, Preston, England
31 Win 26–5 Jimmy Beech TKO 4 (8) 28 Sep 2002 MEN Arena, Manchester, England
30 Loss 25–5 Kevin Lear RTD 8 (12), 3:00 1 Jun 2002 MEN Arena, Manchester, England For vacant WBU super-featherweight title
29 Win 25–4 Craig Docherty TKO 2 (12), 1:46 27 Oct 2001 MEN Arena, Manchester, England Retained British super-featherweight title
28 Win 24–4 László Bognár TKO 3 (12), 1:00 7 Jul 2001 Velodrome, Manchester, England Won WBO Inter-Continental super-featherweight title
27 Loss 23–4 László Bognár TKO 9 (12), 1:00 10 Feb 2001 Kingsway Leisure Centre, Widnes, England Lost WBO Inter-Continental super-featherweight title
26 Win 23–3 Ian McLeod PTS 12 11 Dec 2000 Kingsway Leisure Centre, Widnes, England Retained British super-featherweight title
25 Win 22–3 Awel Abdulai UD 8 19 Oct 2000 Zembo Shrine Building, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, US
24 Win 21–3 Carl Greaves KO 2 (12) 8 Jul 2000 Kingsway Leisure Centre, Widnes, England Retained British super-featherweight title
23 Win 20–3 Carl Allen KO 2 (8) 24 Jun 2000 Hampden Park, Glasgow, Scotland
22 Win 19–3 Dean Pithie PTS 12 29 Feb 2000 Kingsway Leisure Centre, Widnes, England Retained British super-featherweight title
21 Win 18–3 Chris Jickells TKO 4 (8) 29 Jan 2000 MEN Arena, Manchester, England
20 Win 17–3 Oscar Galindo TKO 11 (12), 2:53 11 Dec 1999 Everton Park Sports Centre, Liverpool, England Retained WBO Inter-Continental super-featherweight title
19 Win 16–3 Jose Manjarrez UD 12 6 Nov 1999 Kingsway Leisure Centre, Widnes, England Won vacant WBO Inter-Continental super-featherweight title
18 Win 15–3 Gary Thornhill TKO 2 (12), 1:43 4 Sep 1999 York Hall, London, England Won vacant British super-featherweight title
17 Win 14–3 William Alverzo PTS 6 7 Aug 1999 Etess Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US
16 Win 13–3 Nigel Leake TKO 2 (12), 1:24 29 May 1999 North Bridge Leisure Centre, Halifax, England Won vacant IBF Inter-Continental featherweight title
15 Win 12–3 Chris Jickells TKO 5 (10), 2:26 27 Feb 1999 Sports Centre, Oldham, England Won vacant British Central Area featherweight title
14 Win 11–3 Dave Hinds PTS 6 13 Feb 1999 Telewest Arena, Newcastle, England
13 Win 10–3 Kevin Sheil TKO 4 (6), 2:43 19 Dec 1998 Everton Park Sports Centre, Liverpool, England
12 Win 9–3 David Jeffrey TKO 1 (6), 1:04 14 Nov 1998 Grundy Park Leisure Centre, Cheshunt, England
11 Win 8–3 Peter Buckley PTS 6 5 Sep 1998 Ice Rink, Telford, England
10 Win 7–3 Craig Spacie TKO 3 (4), 2:27 16 May 1998 York Hall, London, England
9 Win 6–3 Benny Jones PTS 4 18 Apr 1998 NYNEX Arena, Manchester, England
8 Win 5–3 Wayne Jones TKO 2 (4), 2:34 11 Sep 1997 Kingsway Leisure Centre, Widnes, England
7 Loss 4–3 Chris Williams PTS 4 3 May 1997 NYNEX Arena, Manchester, England
6 Win 4–2 John Farrell TKO 2 (4), 1:35 22 Mar 1997 Wythenshawe Forum, Manchester, England
5 Win 3–2 David Morris PTS 4 9 Nov 1996 NYNEX Arena, Manchester, England
4 Win 2–2 Martin Evans TKO 1 (4) 19 Sep 1996 Bowlers Exhibition Centre, Manchester, England
3 Loss 1–2 Danny Ruegg PTS 4 24 Nov 1995 Bowlers Exhibition Centre, Manchester, England
2 Loss 1–1 Greg Upton PTS 4 15 Sep 1995 Leisure Centre, Mansfield, England
1 Win 1–0 Danny Ruegg PTS 6 10 Jun 1995 G-Mex Centre, Manchester, England Professional debut

Titles in boxing

Regional titles
Vacant
Title last held by
Stefy Bull		 British Central Area featherweight champion
27 February 1999 – May 1999
Vacated 		Vacant
Title next held by
Jamie McKeever
Vacant
Title last held by
Paul Ingle		 IBF Inter-Continental featherweight champion
29 May 1999 – November 1999
Vacated 		Vacant
Title next held by
David Toledo
Vacant
Title last held by
Charles Shepherd		 British super-featherweight champion
4 September 1999 – October 2002
Vacated 		Vacant
Title next held by
Alex Arthur
Vacant
Title last held by
Gary Thornhill		 WBO Inter-Continental super-featherweight champion
6 November 1999 – 10 February 2001 		Succeeded by
László Bognár
Preceded by
László Bognár		 WBO Inter-Continental super-featherweight champion
7 July 2001 – June 2002
Vacated 		Vacant
Title next held by
Alex Arthur
Preceded by
Alex Arthur		 British super-featherweight champion
25 October 2003 – April 2004
Vacated
WBA Inter-Continental super-featherweight champion
25 October 2003 – February 2004
Vacated 		Vacant
Title next held by
Janos Nagy
Minor world titles
Vacant
Title last held by
Kevin Lear		 WBU super-featherweight champion
3 April 2004 – 11 February 2005 		Succeeded by
Javier Osvaldo Alvarez

References

  1. ↑ Parr, Dean. "Michael Gomez: The Man, The Myth, The Legend". East Side Boxing. Retrieved 17 October 2009.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 "Michael Gomez". BoxRec. Retrieved 13 June 2007.
  3. 1 2 O'Hara, Eamonn (13 December 2000). "Gomez bags belt to make history". The Irish News. Retrieved 3 November 2007.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Jones, Stephen (23 October 2003). "Alex Arthur v Michael Gomez, Amazing Fighters, Amazing Fight". Bragging Rights. Retrieved 31 May 2008.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 Brennan, Stuart (23 November 2002). "Back on track". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 31 May 2008.
  6. 1 2 Craig Phillips. "Gomez returns from No Mas fight". Eurosport. Retrieved 13 December 2007.
  7. 1 2 McGovern, Dan (5 October 2004). "Hatton Undercard Sizzles and Simmers". BritishBoxing.net. Retrieved 31 May 2008.
  8. 1 2 3 Gareth A Davies (7 May 2008). "Amir Khan must not fall prey to Gomez". Daily Telegraph. London. Retrieved 7 May 2008.
  9. 1 2 Doogan, Brian (22 June 2008). "Amir Khan survives knockdown". London: Times online. Retrieved 22 June 2008.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Allsop, Derick (19 October 2003). "Boxing: Born in back seat of crashed car". Sunday Mirror.
  11. 1 2 3 Tanner, Rob (8 May 2008). "Gomez aims to provide Amir Khan with toughest test". Birmingham Post. Retrieved 8 May 2008.
  12. 1 2 3 4 Howard, Paul (10 December 2000). "Self defence; Michael Gomez endured the loss of his parents". The Sunday Herald. Retrieved 31 May 2008.
  13. 1 2 3 Ron Lewis (18 June 2008). "Michael Gomez: beating Amir Khan is last shot for glory". The Times. London. Retrieved 20 June 2008.
  14. ↑ Rafael, Dan (1 January 2008). "Rematches don't get any better than Vazquez-Marquez II". ESPN.com. Retrieved 15 June 2008.
  15. ↑ Worsell, Elliot. "Britain's most exciting fighters: 10 to 4". SecondsOut.com. Retrieved 13 June 2007.
  16. 1 2 3 O'Hara, Eamonn (27 September 2000). "Gomez in line for title shot". The Irish News. Retrieved 3 November 2007.
  17. 1 2 3 Julian Wilson. "Boxer of the week – Michael Gomez". Britishboxing.net. Retrieved 13 June 2007.
  18. ↑ "Stylish Gomez retains title". BBC. 9 July 2000. Retrieved 13 June 2007.
  19. 1 2 Mee, Bob (14 February 2001). "Fighting for control". London: Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 31 May 2008.
  20. 1 2 "Hatton makes devastating defence". BBC. 7 July 2001. Retrieved 13 June 2007.
  21. ↑ Mark Staniforth. "Lear Claims Memorable Win". Sporting Life. Retrieved 13 June 2007.
  22. ↑ Stuart Brennan (5 July 2002). "Boxing: Gomez switches camps". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 13 June 2007.
  23. 1 2 "Gomez to fight Frenchman". BBC. 28 April 2004. Retrieved 13 July 2007.
  24. 1 2 "Amazing All-Round". Boxing Monthly. Retrieved 13 June 2007.
  25. 1 2 "Arthur shrugs off trainer blow". BBC. 15 October 2003. Retrieved 13 June 2007.
  26. ↑ "Alex Arthur v Michael Kizza Preview". BritishBoxing.net. 25 March 2004. Retrieved 31 May 2008.
  27. 1 2 "Gomez stuns Arthur". BBC Sport. 25 October 2003. Retrieved 31 May 2008.
  28. ↑ K MacInnes. "This England". New Statesman. Retrieved 13 June 2007.
  29. 1 2 3 Hugh Keevins (6 April 2004). "Gomez Boxing Clever". Daily Record. Archived from the original on 26 April 2004. Retrieved 9 June 2008.
  30. 1 2 3 Mark Porter (12 February 2005). "Alvarez Stops Brave Gomez in Six". BritishBoxing.net. Retrieved 13 July 2007.
  31. 1 2 3 Steve Bunce (12 February 2005). "Alvarez hammer blows put Gomez career on ropes". The Independent. Retrieved 13 July 2007.
  32. ↑ Reilly, Jerome (5 February 2006). "Born in a car, dead for 48 seconds, he's a real fighter". Irish Independent. Retrieved 31 May 2008.
  33. ↑ "Bernard Dunne Back in Action on Jan 28 in Dublin!". Eastside Boxing. Retrieved 13 July 2007.
  34. ↑ "Uri Geller in McDonagh's corner for Irish title fight". Irish Independent. 25 January 2006. Retrieved 9 June 2008.
  35. ↑ Michael Foley (5 February 2006). "Gomez controversy a body blow to boxing". The Sunday Times. London. Retrieved 13 July 2007.
  36. 1 2 3 "Gomez trainer slams fixing slur". BBC. 31 January 2006. Retrieved 13 July 2007.
  37. 1 2 "Union awards purses to McDonagh and Gomez". The Irish Examiner (archived at Breakingnews.ie). 17 February 2006. Retrieved 9 June 2008.
  38. ↑ Tomas Rohan. "Gomez – I'm happy with my decision". irish-boxing.com. Archived from the original on 9 May 2007. Retrieved 9 June 2008.
  39. ↑ "Gomez goes gunning for Amir". Manchester Evening News. 11 April 2007. Retrieved 11 April 2008.
  40. ↑ Jane Warburton. "Michael Gomez gets rematch with Peter McDonagh". Saddo Boxing. Retrieved 4 April 2008.
  41. ↑ Warburton, Jane. "British Boxing: Michael Gomez gets call to face Commonwealth champion Amir Khan June 21". Saddo Boxing. saddoboxing.com. Retrieved 9 June 2008.
  42. 1 2 3 Terry Dooley. "Michael Gomez is feeling the fear but coming back anyway". Britishboxing.net. Retrieved 9 June 2008.
  43. ↑ Jane Warburton. "Ringside boxing report: Michael Gomez—Daniel Thorpe". Saddo boxing. Retrieved 9 June 2008.
  44. 1 2 Brennan, Stuart (5 May 2007). "Khan you believe it?". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 13 June 2007.
  45. ↑ Jim Watt (19 October 2007). "Nowhere to hide". SKY Sports. Retrieved 19 October 2007.
  46. ↑ Terry Dooley. "Michael Gomez's considered reflections". Britishboxing.net. Retrieved 18 October 2007.
  47. ↑ "Johanneson And Michael Gomez Clash Head To Head". Eastside Boxing. Retrieved 18 October 2007.
  48. ↑ "Ruthless Johanneson retains title". BBC Sport. 20 October 2007. Retrieved 20 October 2007.
  49. ↑ "Johanneson retains British super-featherweight title". Daily Mail. London. 19 October 2007. Retrieved 20 October 2007.
  50. ↑ Thomas Myler (31 October 2007). "Gomez: 'I deserve another title shot'". Irish Independent. Retrieved 31 October 2007.
  51. ↑ Gareth A Davies (7 May 2008). "Michael Gomez vows to beat Amir Khan". Daily Telegraph. London. Retrieved 7 May 2008.
  52. ↑ David Magilton (18 June 2008). "Khan fuming at Gomez no-show". The Bolton News. Retrieved 20 June 2008.
  53. ↑ Lewis, Mike (22 June 2009). "Amir Khan given a test by Michael Gomez". London: The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 2 August 2009.
  54. ↑ Hubbard, Alan (22 June 2009). "Khan cuts loose after early blow". London: The Independent on Sunday. Retrieved 22 May 2008.
  55. ↑ "Tough test for Khan". Sky Sports. 22 June 2009. Retrieved 22 May 2008.
  56. ↑ "Gomez next up for Amir". Sky Sports. 6 May 2008. Retrieved 20 June 2008.
  57. ↑ Gareth A Davies (17 June 2008). "Amir Khan contest 'surprises' Michael Gomez". Daily Telegraph. London. Retrieved 2 August 2009.
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