Jeff Fenech vs. Wilfredo Gomez at 122, FW, and 130

Well, I'll start off by saying that at 122, Gomez eventually destroys Fenech.

 

I'd fancy Gomez at 122, the Gomez that fought Sanchez even but Fenech at 130.

 

Gomez at 122.

Fenech would batter Bazooka anywhere above that though.

 

Also, Gomez was very lucky against Lockridge. IMO it was a clear victory for the American.

 

How do you see Fenech going against Sanchez Flea, the night of the Gomez fight?

 

I've always thought the notion that Gomez was invincible at 122 but strictly average at 126 was one of boxing's sillier bits of conventional wisdom.

While Gomez was undoubtedly better at 122, the gap wasn't as dramatic as people make out. Let's face it, aside from Zarate, Pintor, and Davila, his competition wasn't anything special.

Doesn't it seem more likely that a weaker quality of opposition at 122 accounts for why he dominated there and floundered at higher weights, than the fact that his body couldn't cope with four extra pounds? If there had been a 122 pounder as good as Sal Sanchez was at 126, Gomez probably would have taken the same beating. Same for Azumah Nelson imho. Granted, Gomez' lifestyle saw him in decline by the time he fought Nelson.

That said, Gomez was still a lethal fighter at his best. I give Fenech the second best chance of beating a prime Gomez, behind a peak Morales.

 

Gomez smashed Sakad Petyindee inside three rounds. This is a man who was never stopped again and was known as the most lethal puncher in Thailand (over 150 K.Os by the time he was done) and Gomez dismissed him.

Consider that Gomez was not humongous at 122 also. He was a sub-featherweight fighting at a comfortable mid-weight of 122. Sub-feathers don't typically have a huge amount of succes at 126. It's not the extra 4lbs that affected Gomez either, it was his prior form causing him to ditch the movement and punch picking that made him so successful in his first run. The Yum fight probably shows this up during his very best, he gets dropped early and rocked again before bucking his ideas up and actually thinking about what he's doing.

I give Fenech the best chance of beating Gomez at 122 (certainly moreso than Morales) but I can't outright favour him. Also, Fenech and Morales were both lightweights making super bantam with an added day. Gomez was a smaller guy right up tosuper featherweight. Fenech of bantam might not have made super bantam on the day, he was a big, big lad for the weight. Gomez likely a lazy bantam.

Guys that would have to fight Bazooka with same day weigh in's; would we favour any of 'em?

Orlando Canizales? Johnny Tapia? Sot Chitalada? Giovanni Segura? Christian Mijares?

AlFrancis Fench Vs Sanchez would be a terrific fight, but you'd have to think Sal' would get the better work done and just about win after 15.Best way to beat Sal' would be not to show him much and make him lead. Fenech would have success putting it on Chava as Azumah Nelson did but over 15 that gives Salvador too much time to get a gauge. Sanchez W15 Fenech in what would no doubt be a tremendous fight. Fenech's hands were already on the way out at 126 of course, so I'll make 118/112lb Jeff weigh in on the day to even things up a bit...

 

I will also say there's a misconception about Sanchez that he looked as faultless as he did against Lopez and Gomez every night out. Cowdell and Ford gave him hassle, and he looked clueless at times against Castillo. At a lesser weight he was knocked around by a tiny journeyman.

 

No doubt that Sanchez mixed in some so-so efforts in with his legendary fights. Do you think that was a matter of fighting down to the level of his opponents. That might be the case, but the fights with Ford and Castillo represent a trend of Sanchez struggling with guys who like to hang back and jab.

 

I think it was more of a stylistic issue with Sanchez. Great when they came to bang, unspectacular when they forced his hand. A counter-puncher through and through.

 

Gomez (just) at 122 and Fenech at 126 and 130. Too big and too strong

At 122 I very much doubt we'd see Fenech knocked out or stopped

 

And Cowdell too.

Sanchez was not brilliant at leading, he was a natural counter puncher. Definitely not 'fighting to the level of his opponent' as all three were World class, as was Nelson.

Sadly there's a lot of nostalgic Rose-tinted spectacle wearing people who are so caught up with the legend of Salvador that they assume he was as good as he was against LittleRed and Gomez every fight, which he wasn't.

 

He beat me up. He wasn't bad against Danny Lopez either...

 

Gomez at 122, Fenech above that.