It is generally thought that Gomez was indeed great at 122 but a failure at 126, but I think that's too myopic a vision, too simple to be true. Let's face it, there aren't many featherweights in history that would have come out smelling like roses facing a prime Sanchez and Nelson. Was he a bit past it against Nelson, and undertrained against Sanchez? Yeah, maybe, but that's a different argument. Watch what he brought to those efforts and also his performance against Laporte and let us know what you think about his chances against some of the other greats. Would the Gomez who beat Laporte have been tough on a Pep, for example? I tend to think so.
I think he could beat some of the smaller-statured guys that moved up to featherweight like Barrera and Morales and he could also beat some of the cuter types that couldn't punch hard enough to hurt him like Famechon, Winstone and possibly featherweight versions of Flash Elorde and Ismael Laguna. I don't think I'd favour him though against the latter two.
Off the top of my head, the Gomez that fought and defeated LaPorte should beat.... Danny Lopez Eric Morales Marco Antonio Barerra Naseem Hamed Johnny Famechon Howard Winsontone Sugar Ramos Barry MacGuigan I'd say that version of Bazooka is about 50/50 with someone like Antonio Esparragoza
Am i the only one that thinks Gomez looked relatively unconvincing and unspectacular against Laporte?. Laporte completely sleepwalked it, as was his occasional way and it didn't seem to be down to anything Gomez was doing.When Laporte rarely opened up with quality combos, Gomez looked flustered and shaky.Legs and balance just didn't seem right, kind of reminicscent of Don Curry's better post McCallum performances like Aquino or Rosi. Maybe it's because Laporte had a terrific chin and played it entirely safe, while Gomez was unable to put a dent in him.It ended up making them look like they were recreating the Kalule steve Gregory title fight with less flair. With that said, Gomez circa sanchez and Laporte could indeed still beat a lot of those fighters in a one off fight.Though i tend to think it would have to be a grinding will over skill type of performance that would take a toll on him.The one that fought Nelson wouldn't be favourite to beat any great or near-great feather imo.Even the pure boxers who i think he matches up best with, are likely to be turning him in there too much now. Danny Lopez matches up well imo.Can't really see Gomez doing any better than Olivares there.Too much, power, workrate, straight punches and forward momentum for a highly strung precision fighter who was starting to fall apart at the seams re balance and legs.Wilfredo would need an an early to mid KO, not good if Lopez is still fresh and trundling forward after 5 or 6 rounds.
I agree that Gomez looked shaky in that fight the few times Laporte was able to lay a hand on him, and if Laporte wasn't so taciturn he could have quite easily turned it around and made Gomez really struggle, but nevertheless I thought Gomez laid a terrible beatdown on Laporte. Sure Laporte was prone to laziness, but I can't say I remember any other fight where a guy was able to make him gun-shy. Not Chavez, not Sanchez, not Pedroza nor Nelson. And even though I don't think Gomez was particularly sharp in that fight as far as offense goes either, it was such a savage output that he turned out that Laporte spent most of the fight cowering and looking not to get hit. Now to be able to put Laporte in that mindset, I think is was quite exceptional, even if not from a technical standpoint.
I just don't know what to make of Laporte in that fight really. I mean, in those other big fights you mention, i thought he gave some of his best stuff, even fighting well against Nelson when he was past his best.He did seem to be able to raise his game for the big fights, maybe it was just Wilfredo's power that got his attention early. Whatever it was, it was definitely one of the worst performances i've witnessed from a really good featherweight
Yeah, pretty much I thought it was Gomez's power that did it. Could be wrong though, perhaps Laporte was injured - it definitely was uncharacteristic of him to be so inactive, especially in the big fights, as you say, where he usually gave his best...
Not sure I would pick him over any of those guys....I would say his best chance is Hamed...and perhaps Winstone! I would pick Winstone, but would imagine it to be very close.
