Two fighters who fought at Featherweight, had professed a great deal of respect for each other and reached the Hall of Fame in 1995. Can the Bazooka right of Gomez turn the lights out, or will the lightning quick lunges and body work of Harada prevail?
I need to watch more of Harada to make an informed judgement but on paper it's a great matchup at anywhere between Bantamweight and Featherweight.
Considering Harada’s weight struggles, I think super bantam would’ve been a great division for him. At 122 I favour Gomez by the slimmest of margins. But if even in one of his very best performances a T-Rex armed Yum can hit him and hurt him, Harada can land on him frequently too. As it stands, Bazooka at his best was a tremendous ring general, with every punch in the book, and able to adapt. The Harada of the 2nd Medel fight—patient, offensively-minded but intelligent—would be best prepared to take him on IMO Either one of them could take the decision, but at 122 it’s hard to favour anyone over Gomez.
Great fight but hard to go against Gomez. I can see Harada’s speed and jab being a bother but a peak Gomez hit hard and accurate enough to catch Harada and switch the fight around in his favor.
Harada being very aggressive against Gomez at this weight would probably result in him getting tagged often, can see it being competitive early but the punishment takes its toll and then Gomez takes over.
Can't pick against Gomez at 122, not even Harada. 118 would have been the interesting "junior" weight class for younger Harada if it had existed during his era.
