Who accomplished more at Cruiserweight? Who had more success moving up to HW? What sticks out individually between the two? Personally I'm of the opinion Jirov was one of the best body punchers of the last 20 years or so. Crippling stuff.
Gomez had more title defenses under his belt at CW, beat what was maybe a top ten heavyweight prospect in Virchis and mainstay fringe contender/former champion McCall. Gomez as a CW and HW. Jirov was very good, underrated, imo. But I also think Gomez is underrated too. I love to watch the fatty box, to be honest. Very crafty fighter. Fine body puncher himself. I don't think Jirov would've lasted as long against Klitschko, personally. And did Jirov ever challenge for a HW title? I don't remember if he did, but I don't think so.
I was really high on Gomez at 190 when he was a champ...He got a bit meh towards the end and when I saw a couple more fights..but he was a lil bit of a monster there, compared to all the light heavies that came up to fight him especially. I probably would have picked Gomez at the time to beat Jirov...but on reflection I think Vasily would have grinded that victory out. JCG would have been a bit more hittable against a fairly quick handed volume puncher like Jirov...Gomez would have landed his fair share but Jirov would have taken them and I see Gomez kind of mooching this fight away...He could be a lazy ***** whereas Jirov was anything but.
You're right. And that makes me sad. I watched JC's fight with Mazikin recently. That also made me sad. It's a fat waste of talent. At least at cruiserweight...there was a limit.
Good posts. While i also like Jirov's bodypunching, hard not to really, i like Gomez in the context of the thread myself.
How much credit do you guys give Jirov for his performance against maybe the best version if toney there was at the higher weights?
Gomez did better against Castro . However Jirov's opposition @ CW was somewhat better as he fought Toney , Dale Brown , Arthur Williams & Terry McGroom as opposed 2 Gomez who fought Marcelo Fabian Dominguez *2 . Both fought Jorge Castro . Jirov was KOd by a supposedly shot Michael Moorer but Gomez was destroyed in 1 rd by Yamplier Diaz . Jirov gave Mesi a tough and dirty fight but Gomez outpointed McCall twice in which once it was ruled a NC due 2 PEDs . Gomez stopped Al Cole @ HW , Jirov drew with Orlin Norris . Jirov actually did slightly better than O'neil Bell vs mutual opponents . Both stopped Arthur Williams but Jirov stopped Dale Brown while Bell was given n even fight by him . not much . Also both fought Antonio Tarver @ d amateurs . All 3 r left handed . He did hit Toney low more than once , didn't he ? He's also a great rabbit puncher , Joe Mesi can tell .
