Wilfredo Gómez

Wilfredo Gómez had a short Olympic career, losing his only bout by majority decision at the 1972 München Olympics. He competed at the 1974 World Championships, but won a gold medal at the 1974 Central American and Caribbean Games before turning professional. He compiled an overall record of 96 wins and 3 defeats as an amateur boxer.

Gómez had an excellent professional career, winning world titles in three weight classes. He fought from November 1974 through July 1989, winning 44 bouts, losing three, with one draw.

His first pro bout was a draw against Jacinto Fuentes in Panama in November 1974. He then won 32 consecutive fights, taking the WBC super-bantamweight crown in 1977 by knocking out Yum Dong-Kyun. In March 1984 he won the WBC featherweight title by decision over Juan Laporte. In May 1985 he added the WBC super-featherweight title by decision over Rocky Lockridge. In March 1986 Gómez lost that title by TKO to Alfredo Layne. He then retired for two years. Gómez returned to the ring in 1988 and fought for two years, his final bout a knockout victory over Mario Salazar in July 1989.

Gómez recorded 17 consecutive knockouts in championship defenses as a featherweight, a record for all boxing divisions. The Ring magazine ranked him #13 on its list of the 100 greatest punchers of all-time. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1995.