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Gomez and Contreras: Unknown, Unattached — Dangerous
By David A. Avila (May 16, 2003)
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It was the last bout of an action-packed fight card when little-known Alfonso Gomez of Los Angeles stepped in the ring against undefeated Juan Amezcua of Vallejo and promptly knocked him around for three rounds before the referee stopped the bout.
Gomez handed Amezcua (9-1, 7 KOs) his first defeat and smiled.
“It was the fifth time I have faced an undefeated opponent,” said Gomez (7-2, 2 KOs), who actually has faced five undefeated fighters. “I like it when the other fighter is undefeated.”
For Gomez and hundreds of other skilled fighters without promoters or financial backing, the road to a championship is as treacherous as entering a freeway on the exit ramp. A person needs to be fully prepared for anything coming your way.
Among the hard-core boxing crowd who attend almost every good fight card within a 300-mile radius, Gomez is a familiar face who has appeared on several shows and won over many of the fans with his “take no-prisoners” attitude.
Gomez fought Ishe Smith (11-0) in only his second pro fight. Smith is now headlining a Showtime boxing card and is being steered to a lucrative title fight in the near future. Meanwhile Gomez toils in California’s roughneck fight cards. Only the tough need apply.
“I work out hard because I know all of my fights are going to be hard,” said Gomez, 22, who prepares at the L.A. Boxing Club. “That’s alright. I really like boxing.”
Another fighter who never receives an easy fight is Eleazar Contreras of Bakersfield, California. He lost to Main Events-promoted lightweight prospect Juan Diaz last week and he was beaten by junior welterweight Francisco Bojado a year ago.
But in losing his WBC Continental Americas lightweight title last Saturday in spectacular fashion, Contreras (19-3-2) showed millions of viewers on NBC his penchant for thrilling exchanges against a willing Diaz (21-0) of Houston, Texas. But he wasn’t satisfied.
“I thought I won,” said Contreras, who was visibly bothered by the loss after the judge’s decision was read. “I should know better. He (Diaz) fights for Main Events and I don’t have someone big like that backing me.”
For fighters like Gomez and Contreras, boxing is one steep, perilous climb to the top. Only the very tough-minded and confident can circumvent losing close decisions, fighting undefeated fighters and always being the underdog.
“I don’t care,” said Gomez, who seems to relish fighting opponents who are willing to exchange punches with abandon. “I just come to fight.”
BIG BOXING WEEKEND
This weekend there will be nine televised boxing cards beginning on Friday and ending on Monday. The main fight will be a battle between world title-holders Paul Spadafora (36-0) and Leonard Dorin (21-0) in the lightweight division. It should be an exciting match up between the clever left-handed boxer Spadafora and the brawling nonstop puncher Dorin. The same night, Showtime televises a 140-pound title eliminator between Sharmba Mitchell and Ben Tackie.
Probably the most exciting match ups will be on free television when Nate Campbell (23-1), a knockout puncher, faces Edelmiro Martinez (20-2-1) in a super featherweight bout. Then Kermit “The Killer” Cintron (18-0), another knockout artist, will test his power against veteran Luis Rosado (30-5) in a welterweight bout. In three weeks NBC has scheduled some dynamite shows. Don’t miss this weekend’s afternoon fights.
Also be sure to catch ESPN2 tonight, when Joe Morales takes on former two-time champ (at 122- and 126-pounds) Antonio Cermeno. And on Sunday, light heavyweights Eric Harding (21-2-1) and Glen Johnson (38-9-1) will tangle on Fox Sports Net. It should be a good one.
DE LA HOYA-MOSLEY TIX ALMOST GONE
The big rematch between Oscar “The Golden Boy” De La Hoya and Sugar Shane Mosley has only 2,000 tickets remaining according to Top Rank, who are promoting the fight scheduled for Sept. 13th at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Lee Samuels, the spokesman for Top Rank, said casinos have already purchased 7,300 tickets before the ticket windows even opened on Monday. By Tuesday, more than 2,300 tickets had been sold. Prices for the second meeting between the Californians are $1,200, $800, $600 and $300. The $100 tickets have completely sold out. Remaining tickets can be purchased by calling MGM Grand at (702) 891-7777 or by calling Ticketmaster.
Capacity for the MGM Grand Arena is 14,642.
FIGHTS ON TV
Fri. ESPN2, 7 p.m., Joe Morales vs. Antonio Cermeno.
Fri. Telefutura, 9 p.m., Danny Perez (27-3) vs. Jesus Valverde (20-8).
Sat. Telemundo, 11:30 a.m., Miguel Figueroa (21-3-1) vs. Joaquin Gallardo
(13-1-1).
Sat. NBC, 12:30 p.m., Nate Campbell (23-1) vs. Edelmiro Martinez (20-2-1);
Kermit Cintron (18-0) vs. Luis Rosado (30-5).
Sat. Pay-per-view, 6 p.m., Mauricio Pastrana (29-3-1) vs. Mike Trejo (27-2-2)
Sat. HBO, 10 p.m., Paul Spadafora (36-0) vs. Leonard Dorin (21-0).
Sat. Showtime, 10:15 p.m., Sharmba Mitchell (51-3) vs. Ben Tackie (24-3);
Jeff Lacy (13-0) vs. Anwar Oshana (23-2).
Sun. Fox Sports Net, 6 p.m., Eric Harding (21-2-1) vs. Glen Johnson (38-9-1).
Mon. Fox Sports World, 8 p.m., Jose Karass (18-4) vs. Luis Villalta (27-4-1).
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