I saw a bit on the Mexican fighters of Ruben and Octavio's era in the Art Hafey documentary, Toy Tiger. Which is one of the best boxing documentaries I've ever seen, for the record. From what I did see, I in particular fell in love with Octavio Gomez. I'm sure there's some good information buried in the bowels of this site I could dredge up and sort through, but in all honest it's easier to just ask again then spend all afternoon doing that. Educate me on this man please.
Russ, when I think of Famoso Gomez - and his little brother Famosito for that matter - I think of speed. Both very fast and Famoso fought EVERYONE across 3 weight classes. Indeed, 10 world champs he fought as well as a slew of top contenders. Best wins were over Danny Lopez, Rafael Herrera, Romeo Anaya, Bernabe Villacampo, Art Hafey, Fernando Cabanela, Valentin Galeano, Cesar Deciga, Fernando Atzori and Fermin Gomez. Came so close to a title shot when he faced Rodolfo Martinez. I saw the fight and had Gomez ahead on points when Martinez nailed him in the 7th. That was Gomez at his peak. Back then competition was fierce, but he should have had at least one title shot across 3 divisions.
How do you reckon he does now if he started at say 112? I imagine with good promoting he'd easily be a three division champion minimum.
Of course, easily. But don't forget, he fought in an era where there was 1 to 2 champs only across fly-bantam-feather. In this era, where each division has 4 champs and super fly and super bantam have been added and competition is far less (if you haven't had a title shot after 15 fights there must be something wrong), I feel you would be looking at a multiple title world champ.
Jofre beats him in a ten round UD,his title got stripped for not fighting before,but this was a good farewell fight.
Not to rain on the parade of the great Jofre, but he was 40 years old at the time and having his final bout in their 12 rounder. I think they wanted to see him off nicely. The scores made me think. In rounds the scores by the 3 Brazilian judges for Jofre would be 4-3-5, 4-0-8 and 5-1-6. Something tells me if they could have given a close round to Jofre, they would have. Just speculation here. I'd love to see the fight myself.
Whooa! Inoue is one bad dude. It would be very hard to think of anyone coming out of a fight with him unscathed.
Oh, yeah. Can you imagine if he was given the nod over Jofre in his final bout? It would stand out like a sore thumb on the record. In truth, Gomez had been beating fighters better than a 40 year old Jofre, but his name was legendary and it certainly would have enhanced Gomez' place.
Yeah,pulling some obscure,good fighter into a match with Inoue is straight up like comparing a lost n' ancient artifact made of gold to the brightest diamond/gem in the entire universe.
Being "obscure" to the average boxing fan in 2024 isn't particularly difficult. The man outpointed Danny Lopez at Danny's ideal weight (126) despite being a blown up fly essentially. Have some respect. We've already seen Inoue struggle and go the distance at lower weights and be decked against Nery and struggle against the shell of Donaire. He's clearly not invincible, he's made of the same stuff as every other man who ever stepped into the ring actually.
While I have you, can I ask your opinion on Art Hafey? I've spent the last few years reading and collecting everything on him that I can. One of my favorites. Did you know he fought with a muscular health issue his entire career?