He said Gomez was very strong, heavy handed and that he controlled distance really well. I mentioned that people compared his style to Arguello’s on this forum and he said he can see that and felt he had similar attributes.
I must say I watched that recently and that along with the Payakaroon fight was the best I've seen Fenech punch. I think it was before his hands got really, really bad and he seemed to sit down on his punches a lot more. He was more a flurrier and attrition puncher at Featherweight and above. I think Super Bantam was Fenech's peak weight where his size and strength were still amazing but his power was very good too. I can see why it impressed Zarate but Gomez and Zamora would be the more likely picks (although Zarate dominated Zamora and likely didn't taste his best punches).
This is outstanding, @ChrisJS. This must be such fascinating and fulfilling work for you. Zarate is the epitome of class and that must’ve been some experience to break bread w him and pick his brain! Not to get off topic, PM me if you like....but how’s your book on Jofre coming along? All the best, man. Keep up this great work.
I think it’s possible a factor for him is that he was a lot older by the time he fought Fenech. He also acknowledged that Zamora hit really hard as well.
He really is. He’s one of the nicest and most down to earth people I’ve met in the sport. Always smiling and cracking jokes. He will be over in July so I will get a chance to spend some more time with him then. I’m going to take him to some places like the Wild Card gym. Regarding the Jofre book. It’s going well. I have around 200 pages written but I’ll be getting to writing all of the detailed coverage of the boxing career part of his life starting on the second Monday of the month. I’ll have every single fight covered, including detailed reports and round by rounds of some fights that haven’t seen much coverage. Ernesto Miranda being one for example. I have most of the newspapers back and translated just waiting on the last batch for translation which should be in a week or two. Done a lot of interviews, with some exciting Q & A’s to be finished this month. I will have a lot of cool, unseen photos from the families collection and estimate the book to be a very big one at current pace. Perhaps in the 500-600 page range.
Sounds awesome Chris. Do you have a name for the book? I am very much looking forward to you and @Jpreisser's publications - big time!
No name yet. Haven’t given that part much thought yet. Thanks I appreciate the support! I’m also looking forward to his book too.