This fight is never mentioned as one of Gomez's best performances, but it was. One of the fights where Gomez showed his full skillset. He took Meza apart in almost Duran-like fashion.
What struck me about this fight was just how molasses-slow Meza appeared compared to Gomez. Meza was obviously world class, winning and defending a world title later but he was shown in this fight to be a good couple levels below Gomez, who did pretty much as he pleased.
Gomez was never the same after Sanchez, he’d fallen in love with his power and a step behind but he could still dominate some solid fighters. Shows how great he was at his peak.
Yes, it was one of Gomez's best moments. Back at that time, Meza was considered one of the best at 122. I thought he would be competitive, but he was not. I had seen Meza looking pretty fierce before. But it looked to me like he froze against Gomez. Didn't believe he could win.
One thing I love about Bazooka Gomez is the subtle approach he takes — he’s from the tap-tap-BAM school, get them used to getting hit with lighter punches to lull them to sleep then bring the power. Wilfredo was able to gauge range by throwing lighter punches to ‘touch’ the opponent and lull them to sleep a bit and then, once he had that range, hell’s coming to breakfast when he brings the real power. He seemed to be able to do this without variance in speed or seeming intensity, everything flowed so smooth and sometimes he almost looks like he’s play-boxing for half a round and then ZING one of those hooks or right hands lands with an explosion of concussive force and he’s all over the guy. Such a pleasure to watch.
I remember vaguely seeing this fight after his loss to Sanchez. And he was impressive, but I would have rather seen Wilfredo fight Jaimie Garza or Carmelo Negron.
This fight WAS after Sanchez. So I guess yr wrong. He had troubles against great Feathers like Salvador and Azumah.
He was great in this fight but he was not the same fighter overall as before. Sure, this fight and the LaPorte one he showed great form but overall his level dropped. His lifestyle and ego and the Sanchez beating took his prime away.
Gomez is the greatest Bantam/ super Bantamweight in history.... But those few extra pounds AND more importantly his mindset and his style changed from a very skilled boxer-puncher to a stalking puncher, he fell in love with his power and believed that power and natural skills was all he needed. It cost him against Sanchez. Gomez when he fought Meza had re-evaluated himself and re- dedicated to staying in the gym. He found his old tools and blistered a very underrated Juan "Kid"Meza. Meza went on to win one of the best fights in the 80's when he fought the dangerous but ultimately limited Jaime Garza whom was 40-0 with all by ko. (Quite a few Tijuana cab drivers I guess lol.)
Whoa ! I remember Jaime Garza , he could get you outta there with one shot. If I remember he dropped Meza in the first round then went wild and ran into a crushing left hook. Garza was as wild as they get throwing bombs.
At the weigh in for that fight, Meza told Garza that he was going to knock him out early because he needed to save his energy because he had a date with Garza's mother later that night. Garza got so mad that he threw up. That is in Gene Aguilera's book.
