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| '''Michael Gomez''' (born as '''Michael Armstrong''', ] ], ], ]), known as '''"The Predator"''', was a professional ] who grew up in an ] family in ], ]. | |||
| He usually fights at ] however earlier in his career has also fought in the ] and ] divisions. Gomez, who is compared to ] who also lived a turbulent life, is often involved in controversial and explosive fights with all of his last 15 fights have ended within the distance.<ref>{{cite web | author=Curtis McCormick | title="Alex Arthur" | work=BoxingTalk | url=http://www.boxingtalk.com/pages/free1039.htm | accessdate=13 October | accessyear=2006}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | author=Boxrec | title="Michael Gomez" | work=Boxrec Fighter Page | url=http://www.boxrec.com/boxer_display.php?boxer_id=9358| accessdate=13 June | accessyear=2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | author= | title="Michael Gomez Headlines, Amateurs Re-scheduled" | work=Eastside Boxing | url=http://www.eastsideboxing.com/news.php?p=2654&more=1| accessdate=13 July | accessyear=2007}}</ref> | |||
| ==Background== | ==Background== | ||
| Gomez was born into a ] family in ] |
Gomez was born into a ] family in ]. As his mother was driving herself to the hospital to give birth, she crashed her car into a ] and gave birth to him on the back seat of the car. However, he was forced to change his name when signing as a professional boxer. He chose the name '''Michael Gomez''' in honour of ] boxer ].<ref>{{cite web | author=Derick Allsop| title="Boxing: Born in back seat of crashed car" | work=] | url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4161/is_20031019/ai_n12883043| accessdate=13 June | accessyear=2007}}</ref> | ||
| Gomez is from a family of nine brothers and sisters, who moved firstly to ], later when he was aged nine the Armstrong family moved to Manchester in the northwest of England. Following the move to England, the family experienced problems - the ] of Gomez's father began to fail, while his mother left the family to ] with another woman. | Gomez is from a family of nine brothers and sisters, who moved firstly to ], later when he was aged nine the Armstrong family moved to Manchester in the northwest of England. Following the move to England, the family experienced problems - the ] of Gomez's father began to fail, while his mother left the family to ] with another woman. {{fact}} | ||
| ⚫ | Gomez has three children by his partner, Alison.<ref>{{cite web | author=Stuart Brennan | title="Khan you believe it?" | work=] | url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/boxing/s/1006/1006293_khan_you_believe_it.html| accessdate=13 June | accessyear=2007}}</ref> | ||
| Gomez spent much of his youth in various ]s. A serial ] from school, he was involved in ] throughout his ] in Manchester. His mother had taught him to ] |
Gomez spent much of his youth in various ]s. A serial ] from school, he was involved in ] throughout his ] in Manchester. His mother had reportedly taught him to be a ]er. {{fact}} Aged nine, Gomez began ] at Brian Hughes' ''Collyhurst and Moston Boys' Club''. He also played ] for a local north Manchester team until the club received so many fines for Gomez's fighting on the pitch that they were unable to pay them. At this point Gomez had to stop playing football and concentrate on boxing. | ||
| Gomez has a brawling all out action style which earned him the nickname of ''"the Irish Mexican"'', his ring entrance music is that of a ] ] band and his fans wear ]s. He also wears long Mexican style boxing shorts in the colours of the ] and often has the shape of a ] shaven into the hair on the back of his head.<ref>{{cite web | author=Elliot Worsell| title="Britain's most exciting fighters"| work=SecondsOut.com| url=http://www.secondsout.com/UK/news.cfm?ccs=228&cs=17005| accessdate=13 June | accessyear=2007}}</ref> Gomez's boxing career has been littered with highs and lows including a spectacular win over ] and losses to, among others, ]. {{fact}} | |||
| Aged nine, Gomez began ] at Brian Hughes's ''Collyhurst and Moston Boys' Club''. He also played ] for a local ] team until the club received so many fines for Gomez's fighting on the pitch that they were unable to pay them. At this point Gomez had to stop playing football and concentrate on boxing. | |||
| Gomez |
In ], Gomez was charged with murder after a gang fight outside a nightclub in ]. Gomez had hit one of the men, who as a result of the blow banged his head on the pavement and died. The murder charge was later reduced to a charge of manslaughter and Gomez was cleared of the charges after it was ruled that he had acted in self-defence.<ref name="ind">{{cite web | author=Alan Hubbard| title="'Wild child' Gomez set to test Arthur's mettle"| work=] | url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4159/is_20031019/ai_n12748740| accessdate=13 June | accessyear=2007}}</ref> | ||
| ⚫ | During another ] Gomez was stabbed and temporarily died when his heart stopped beating for 48 seconds on the operating table. <ref name="ind"/> | ||
| Gomez's boxing career has been littered with highs and lows including a spectacular win over ] and ignominious loses against ]. | |||
| In 1996, Gomez was charged with murder after a gang fight outside a nightclub in Manchester. Gomez had hit one of the men, who as a result of the blow banged his head on the pavement and died. The murder charge was later reduced to a charge of manslaughter and Gomez was cleared of the charges after it was ruled that he had acted in self-defence.<ref name="ind">{{cite web | author=ALAN HUBBARD| title="`Wild child' Gomez set to test Arthur's mettle"| work=] | url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4159/is_20031019/ai_n12748740| accessdate=13 June | accessyear=2007}}</ref> | |||
| ⚫ | During another ] Gomez was stabbed and temporarily died when his heart stopped beating for 48 seconds |
||
| ⚫ | Gomez has three children |
||
| ==Debut as a professional== | ==Debut as a professional== | ||
| Gomez boxed as an amateur before turning professional in June ], winning his first fight at the ], ] |
Gomez boxed as an amateur before turning professional in June ], winning his first fight at the ], ], in which Gomez beat the previously undefeated Danny Ruegg on an ] of a ] that included ] and ]. {{Fact|date=August 2007}} Despite this initial win Gomez's early career was comprised of losses to ] fighters such as Greg Upton, Chris Williams and a reversal to Ruegg. {{Fact|date=August 2007}} | ||
| Despite this initial win Gomez's early career was littered with loses to ] fighters such as Greg Upton, Chris Williams and a reversal to Danny Ruegg.{{Fact|date=August 2007}} | |||
| ==Title fights== | ==Title fights== | ||
| After an initially shaky beginning in the ] ranks, Gomez then went on a run of victories. From September 1997 to February 1999, Gomez won seven straight fights before he fought for his first title belt, the vacant British Central Area featherweight title against Chris Jickells on ] ] in ] |
After an initially shaky beginning in the ] ranks, Gomez then went on a run of victories. From September 1997 to February 1999, Gomez won seven straight fights before he fought for his first title belt, the vacant British Central Area featherweight title against Chris Jickells on ] ] in ]. Gomez easily won the title against Jickells with in a fifth round knockout. Gomez followed his first title win by adding another title, the ] Intercontinental featherweight title, this time with a second round knockout over ].{{Fact|date=August 2007}} | ||
| ===Move to Super featherweight=== | ===Move to Super featherweight=== | ||
| Soon after, Gomez relinquished his belts in a bid to move up to the ] division. His first fight as a super featherweight was for the vacant British super featherweight title against |
Soon after, Gomez relinquished his belts in a bid to move up to the ] division. His first fight as a super featherweight was for the vacant British super featherweight title against ] ] at the ] in ]. Gomez swept Thornhill aside with a second round knockout. {{Fact|date=August 2007}} His following fight in November ] was against ] boxer Jose Manjarrez for the ] Inter-Continental Super Featherweight title and Gomez won this fight also but this time on a points victory over twelve rounds in what would be his last fight of ]. In that year he won four title belts and being undefeated. {{Fact|date=August 2007}} | ||
| ===Bognar fights=== | ===Bognar fights=== | ||
| Gomez continued the success he enjoyed in 1999 with another streak on six wins in 2000. His first fight in 2001 was on ] against ] Laszlo Bognar for the WBO Intercontinental Super Featherweight title in ], |
Gomez continued the success he enjoyed in 1999 with another streak on six wins in 2000. His first fight in 2001 was on ] against ] ] for the WBO Intercontinental Super Featherweight title in ]. Gomez was the favourite and had been tipped to win the fight easily. {{Fact|date=August 2007}} Gomez had Bongar on the canvas in the fifth round after landing a crushing left hook and although Bognar was shaken Gomez was unable to make his power count and finish the fight. Bognar recovered from his knockdown and kept Gomez at bay with his ] jab and in the ninth round Gomez was stopped after referee Dave Paris stepped in following a double left from Bognar which was had Gomez against the ropes. Gomez felt the fight had been stopped prematurely and that he should be been allowed to continue in the fight.<ref>{{cite web | author= | title="Bognar Upsets Gomez" | work=Boxing Times |url=http://www.boxingtimes.com/analyses/2001/010210simon_alexander.html| accessdate=13 June | accessyear=2007}}</ref> | ||
| Gomez later stated that he was suffering from ] and should not have taken the fight, however others pointed to his well publicised out of the ring troubles. There had been reports in the press that Gomez was not training regularly, that he had not stuck to his diet and had been out drinking and clubbing. Reports also circulated that Gomez was having trouble in his private life and that he had been stabbed in a streetfight.<ref>{{cite web | author=Julian Wilson | |
Gomez later stated that he was suffering from ] and should not have taken the fight, however others pointed to his well publicised out of the ring troubles. There had been reports in the press that Gomez was not training regularly, that he had not stuck to his diet and had been out drinking and clubbing. Reports also circulated that Gomez was having trouble in his private life and that he had been stabbed in a streetfight.<ref>{{cite web | author=Julian Wilson |title="Boxer of the week - Michael Gomez" | work=Britishboxing.net | url=http://www.britishboxing.net/news_532-Boxer-of-the-week-Michael-Gomez.html| accessdate=13 June | accessyear=2007}}</ref> | ||
| Gomez wanted to rematch against Bognar and five months later, in July 2001, the pair had a rematch in Manchester what what turned out to be a short and explosive encounter. The fight started badly for Gomez when he suffered a flash knockdown in the first round and was down again in the second, but Gomez came back to put Bognar down near the end of the second round. Gomez came out firing at the start of the third round and finished the fight with a fourth and final knockdown |
Gomez wanted to rematch against Bognar and five months later, in July 2001, the pair had a rematch in Manchester what what turned out to be a short and explosive encounter. The fight started badly for Gomez when he suffered a flash knockdown in the first round and was down again in the second, but Gomez came back to put Bognar down near the end of the second round. Gomez came out firing at the start of the third round and finished the fight with a fourth and final knockdown.<ref>{{cite web | author= | title="Hatton makes devastating defence" | work=] | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/1427661.stm| accessdate=13 June | accessyear=2007}}</ref> | ||
| ===Defeat to Kevin Lear=== | ===Defeat to Kevin Lear=== | ||
| Gomez followed up his victory over Bognar with another British title win over ] with a second round KO against the ] fighter on a high profile ] that included ], future opponent ], ], ], ], ] and ] at the ] Arena on ] ].{{Fact|date=August 2007}} | Gomez followed up his victory over Bognar with another British title win over ] with a second round KO against the ] fighter on a high profile ] that included ], future opponent ], ], ], ], ] and ] at the ] Arena on ] ]. {{Fact|date=August 2007}} His next opponent was unbeaten ] based fighter ] on ] ] again at the MEN on the undercard of the ] v ] fight. {{Fact|date=August 2007}} | ||
| ⚫ | From the outset of the fight Lear, a former ] champion, kept a one-dimensional Gomez at bay with his sharp ]. Lear inflicted damage to the nose of Gomez who's nose began to bleed heavily from the sixth round. By the eighth round Gomez was slowing suffering the effects of Lear's continuing barrage of combinations. At the end of the eight round Gomez's trainer Brian Hughes retired Gomez, giving Lear a surprising victory.<ref>{{cite web | author=Mark Staniforth | title="Lear Claims Memorable Win" | work= ] | url=http://www.sportinglife.com/boxing/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=boxing/02/06/01/BOXING_Manchester.html| accessdate=13 June | accessyear=2007}}</ref> | ||
| His next opponent was unbeaten ] based fighter ] on ] ] again at the MEN on the undercard of the ] v ] fight.{{Fact|date=August 2007}} | |||
| ⚫ | ===Move to the Phoenix Gym=== | ||
| ⚫ | From the outset of the fight Lear, a former ] champion, kept a one-dimensional Gomez at bay with his sharp ]. Lear inflicted damage to the nose of Gomez who's nose began to bleed heavily from the sixth round. By the eighth round Gomez was slowing suffering the effects of Lear's continuing barrage of combinations. At the end of the eight round Gomez's trainer Brian Hughes retired Gomez giving Lear a surprising victory.<ref>{{cite web | author=Mark Staniforth | title=" |
||
| ⚫ | The defeat to Lear, and the manner in which the fight ended, prompted Gomez's longtime mentor and trainer, Brian Hughes, to ask Gomez to quit boxing. This event signalled the end of the relationship between Gomez and Hughes and soon after Gomez crossed Manchester to join ] and former Collyhurst gym stablemate Anthony Farnell at the rival Phoenix Gym run by Billy Graham. He later moved to the Ultimate Fitness gym with Bobby Rimmer. Rimmer, who was also a coach of Ricky Hatton at Phoenix Camp up until the Kosta Tsyzu fight, had built the gym in ], after doing up an old mill in the town. The Gym was renamed as the '''Bobby Rimmer's Boxing Academy'''. | ||
| Gomez followed Rimmer to the new gym and brought other people along with him. Rimmer then allowed an amateur gym to start up there and sometimes helps the amateur gym with his professional side. Both gyms are now bursting with young talent, some potential stars of the future, and some stars of the present. | |||
| ⚫ | ===Move to the Phoenix Gym=== | ||
| ⚫ | The defeat to Lear, and the manner in which the fight ended, prompted Gomez's longtime mentor and trainer, Brian Hughes, to ask Gomez to quit boxing. This event signalled the end of the relationship between Gomez and |
||
| <ref>{{cite web | author=Stuart Brennan | title="Boxing: Gomez switches camps" | work=Manchester Evening News | url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/s/10/10562_boxing_gomez_switches_camps.html| accessdate=13 June | accessyear=2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | author= | title="Gomez to fight Frenchman" | work=] | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/3668099.stm| accessdate=13 July | accessyear=2007}}</ref> | <ref>{{cite web | author=Stuart Brennan | title="Boxing: Gomez switches camps" | work=Manchester Evening News | url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/s/10/10562_boxing_gomez_switches_camps.html| accessdate=13 June | accessyear=2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | author= | title="Gomez to fight Frenchman" | work=] | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/3668099.stm| accessdate=13 July | accessyear=2007}}</ref> | ||
| ===Alex Arthur fight=== | ===Alex Arthur fight=== | ||
| Again in what was becoming a predictable pattern in Gomez's career he followed the defeat to Lear with a string of three wins, all by ]. Gomez then fought in what is the highest profile fight of his career against ] based fighter ] for the British and ] International Super Featherweight titles. The fight took place at a sold out ], Edinburgh, |
Again in what was becoming a predictable pattern in Gomez's career he followed the defeat to Lear with a string of three wins, all by ]. Gomez then fought in what is the highest profile fight of his career against ] based fighter ] for the British and ] International Super Featherweight titles. The fight took place at a sold out ], ] in October ], in what was the first professional ] in the city for almost 20 years.<ref>{{cite web | author=| title="Amazing All-Round" | work=Boxing Monthly| url=http://www.boxing-monthly.co.uk/content/0310/two.htm| accessdate=13 June | accessyear=2007}}</ref> | ||
| A war of words was waged between the two fighters prior to the fight, Arthur had stirred up the animosity between the pair stating in an interview that Gomez ''"gets involved in wars with ]"'', that ''"looking deep into Gomez’s eyes at the press conference, I’m not sure even he believes he can win. He’ll be so fired up I expect it’ll take me eight or nine rounds but, if his resistance has gone as people are saying, it could be a lot sooner"'' and ''"I see about 20 ways to beat him. I'm just looking forward to shutting him up."''.<ref>{{cite web | author=| title=" |
A war of words was waged between the two fighters prior to the fight, Arthur had stirred up the animosity between the pair stating in an interview that Gomez ''"gets involved in wars with ]"'', that ''"looking deep into Gomez’s eyes at the press conference, I’m not sure even he believes he can win. He’ll be so fired up I expect it’ll take me eight or nine rounds but, if his resistance has gone as people are saying, it could be a lot sooner"'' and ''"I see about 20 ways to beat him. I'm just looking forward to shutting him up."''.<ref>{{cite web | author=| title="Amazing All-Round" | work=Boxing Monthly | ||
| |url=http://www.boxing-monthly.co.uk/content/0310/two.htm| accessdate=13 June | accessyear=2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | author=| title="Arthur shrugs off trainer blow" | work=] | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/3193606.stm| accessdate=13 June | accessyear=2007}}</ref> | |||
| Arthur, who was looking to retain the ], was seen as a rising star in British boxing and was being groomed to be a future world champion. Arthur was a strong favourite to defeat Gomez and this fight was seen a as stepping stone against a Gomez who it was perceived had been through too many battles and abused his body too much.<ref>{{cite web | author= | title="Star Profiles - Alex Arthur" | work=] | url=http://www.itv-boxing.com/News/Story_Page/0,14442,6165_669775,00.html| accessdate=13 June | accessyear=2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | author=Julian Wilson | title="Boxer of the week - Michael Gomez" | work=Britishboxing.net | url=http://www.britishboxing.net/news_532-Boxer-of-the-week-Michael-Gomez.html| accessdate=13 June | accessyear=2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | author=Elliot Worsell| title="Britain's most exciting fighters"| work=SecondsOut.com| url=http://www.secondsout.com/UK/news.cfm?ccs=228&cs=17005| accessdate=13 June | accessyear=2007}}</ref> | Arthur, who was looking to retain the ], was seen as a rising star in British boxing and was being groomed to be a future world champion. Arthur was a strong favourite to defeat Gomez and this fight was seen a as stepping stone against a Gomez who it was perceived had been through too many battles and abused his body too much.<ref>{{cite web | author= | title="Star Profiles - Alex Arthur" | work=] | url=http://www.itv-boxing.com/News/Story_Page/0,14442,6165_669775,00.html| accessdate=13 June | accessyear=2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | author=Julian Wilson | title="Boxer of the week - Michael Gomez" | work=Britishboxing.net | url=http://www.britishboxing.net/news_532-Boxer-of-the-week-Michael-Gomez.html| accessdate=13 June | accessyear=2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | author=Elliot Worsell| title="Britain's most exciting fighters"| work=SecondsOut.com| url=http://www.secondsout.com/UK/news.cfm?ccs=228&cs=17005| accessdate=13 June | accessyear=2007}}</ref> | ||
| Gomez proved his critics wrong when on the night of the fight he arrived in prime condition and with aggression, determination and desire.<ref>{{cite web | author=Julian Wilson | title="Boxer of the week - Michael Gomez" | work=Britishboxing.net | url=http://www.britishboxing.net/news_532-Boxer-of-the-week-Michael-Gomez.html| accessdate=13 June | accessyear=2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | author=Stephen Jones | title="Amazing Fighters, Amazing Fight" | work=Braggingrightscorner.com | url=http://www.braggingrightscorner.com/jonesarthur.html| accessdate=13 June | accessyear=2007}}</ref> |
Gomez proved his critics wrong when on the night of the fight he arrived in prime condition and with aggression, determination and desire.<ref>{{cite web | author=Julian Wilson | title="Boxer of the week - Michael Gomez" | work=Britishboxing.net | url=http://www.britishboxing.net/news_532-Boxer-of-the-week-Michael-Gomez.html| accessdate=13 June | accessyear=2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | author=Stephen Jones | title="Amazing Fighters, Amazing Fight" | work=Braggingrightscorner.com | url=http://www.braggingrightscorner.com/jonesarthur.html| accessdate=13 June | accessyear=2007}}</ref> The first two rounds started at a furious pace with Arthur keeping Gomez at bay with stiff jabs and Gomez working inside with crashing hooks and body punches. The match soon turned into a clashs of opposing styles with Arthur displaying control and boxing technique and Gomez storming forward with wild ferocity.<ref>{{cite web | author=Stephen Jones | title="Amazing Fighters, Amazing Fight" | work=Braggingrightscorner.com | url=http://www.braggingrightscorner.com/jonesarthur.html| accessdate=13 June | accessyear=2007}}</ref> Arthur's trainer, ], was criticized for not being at ringside because he remained in the U.S. as the fight clashed with that of, ], another fighters in his stable who was fighting Marco Antonio Barrera, in ].<ref>{{cite web | author=Stephen Jones | title= "Amazing Fighters, Amazing Fight" | work=Braggingrightscorner.com | url=http://www.braggingrightscorner.com/jonesarthur.html| accessdate=13 June | accessyear=2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | author=| title="Arthur shrugs off trainer blow" | work=] | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/3193606.stm| accessdate=13 June | accessyear=2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | author=Stephen Halliday| title= "Arthur on tenterhooks with Roach arrival in doubt" | work=] | url=http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/othersport.cfm?id=1124652003| accessdate=13 June | accessyear=2007}}</ref> | ||
| From the third round the fight began to turn Gomez' way. Gomez cut Arthur in the third and silenced the home crowd, who were not used to seeing Arthur being punished in this manner. Gomez again dominated the fourth round and was in full control of the fight |
From the third round the fight began to turn Gomez's way. Gomez cut Arthur in the third and silenced the home crowd, who were not used to seeing Arthur being punished in this manner. Gomez again dominated the fourth round and was in full control of the fight and at one stage landed 28 consecutive punches.<ref>{{cite web | author=Stephen Jones | title="Amazing Fighters, Amazing Fight" | work=Braggingrightscorner.com | url=http://www.braggingrightscorner.com/jonesarthur.html| accessdate=13 June | accessyear=2007}}</ref> | ||
| Gomez won the badly tempered contest by delivering an explosive knock-out to Arthur in the fifth round. Arthur was dropped heavily three times in front of his adoring home fans before referee, John Coyle, stopped the fight as Arthur was knocked to the canvas for the third time. The fight was hailed as own of the best best fights in Britain for a decade. Boxing promoter ] called the fight ''"the greatest contest seen on these shores since Nigel Benn beat Gerald McClennan in 1995"''.<ref>{{cite web | author=K MacInnes | title="This England" | work=] | url=http://www.newstatesman.com/200311240012| accessdate=13 June | accessyear=2007}}</ref><ref name="Alex Arthur">BoxingTalk</ref> | Gomez won the badly tempered contest by delivering an explosive knock-out to Arthur in the fifth round. Arthur was dropped heavily three times in front of his adoring home fans before referee, John Coyle, stopped the fight as Arthur was knocked to the canvas for the third time. The fight was hailed as own of the best best fights in Britain for a decade. Boxing promoter ] called the fight ''"the greatest contest seen on these shores since ] beat Gerald McClennan in 1995"''.<ref>{{cite web | author=K. MacInnes | title="This England" | work=] | url=http://www.newstatesman.com/200311240012| accessdate=13 June | accessyear=2007}}</ref><ref name="Alex Arthur">BoxingTalk</ref> | ||
| ===WBU world title and Arthur rematch=== | ===WBU world title and Arthur rematch=== | ||
| The relationship between Arthurs and Gomez would continued fester when Gomez attended Arthurs next against ]n Michael Kizza in ].<ref>{{cite web | author=Hugh Keevins | title=" |
The relationship between Arthurs and Gomez would continued fester when Gomez attended Arthurs next against ]n ] in ].<ref>{{cite web | author=Hugh Keevins | title="Gomez Boxing Clever" | work=] | ||
| |url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/tm_objectid=14120854&method=full&siteid=89488&headline=boxing--gomez-boxing-clever-name_page.html| accessdate=13 July | accessyear=2007}}</ref> On ] ], Gomez fought ]n Ben Odamattey for the ] super featherweight title at the ] in ].<ref>{{cite web | author= | title="Gomez to fight Frenchman" | work=] | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/3668099.stm| accessdate=13 July | accessyear=2007}}</ref> Gomez won the title, stopping Odamattey in the third round. Gomez commented that he had attended Arthur's fight but Arthur had not turned up to his, stating ''"I gatecrashed Arthur's party by beating him for the British title in his own city of ]. Why didn't he come and watch my fight in Manchester on Saturday night? Sky Television want a return. Frank Warren, Arthur's manager, wants a re-match. And most of all so do I."'' {{Fact|date=August 2007}} | |||
| Arthur responded saying ''"the fight (with Gomez) is definitely going to happen. Hopefully I'll get another warm-up fight in June and then take on Gomez in September."'' {{Fact|date=August 2007}} Gomez retained his WBU title in his next two fights over Justin Juuko and Leva Kirakosyan with knockout wins and then faced ]n boxer ''"El Vikingo"'', ]. The fight took place on ] ] and was Gomez's eighth fight at the MEN Arena. ] pulled out of his arranged fight and it was left to Gomez to top the bill at the MEN.<ref>{{cite web | author=Mark Porter | title="Alvarez Stops Brave Gomez in Six" | work=BritishBoxing.net | url=http://www.britishboxing.net/news_163-Alvarez-Stops-Brave-Gomez-in-Six.html| accessdate=13 July | accessyear=2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | author=Steve Bunce | title="Alvarez hammer blows put Gomez career on ropes" | work=] |url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_20050212/ai_n9531276| accessdate=13 July | accessyear=2007}}</ref> | |||
| Arthur responded saying ''"the fight (with Gomez) is definitely going to happen. Hopefully I'll get another warm-up fight in June and then take on Gomez in September."''{{Fact|date=August 2007}} | |||
| The pair clashed at the ] and Gomez stated ''"I'm raring to go and Alvarez is going to be knocked spark out"'', this venom was translated into the fight. From the outset of the fight Gomez tried draw Alvarez into a war. Gomez appeared to win the first two rounds behind stinging jabs, however, Alvarez seemed unruffled.<ref>{{cite web | author= | title="Michael Gomez To Top M.E.N. Bill" | work=Eastside Boxing | url=http://www.eastsideboxing.com/news.php?p=2584&more=1| accessdate=13 July | accessyear=2007}}</ref> In the third round the fight began to turn in Alvarez's favour as Gomez' face began to mark up badly. The fourth round was all action, as usual Gomez began quickly, attacking Alvarez from behind his jab and working his way through the guard of Alvarez. | |||
| ⚫ | Alvarez, appearing content to catch Gomez as he came forward and near the end of the round he rocked Gomez with a stiff right hand shot, after which the Argentinean launched into a furious onslaught onto the "Irish Mexican". Gomez steadied in the fifth but was visibly tired. Two minutes into the sixth round Gomez was caught flush by a clubbing right hand which floored him. Gomez beat the count and Alvarez then moved in to finish the fight. Mickey Vann stopped the fight after after 2 minutes 25 seconds with Gomez pinned to the ropes by Alvarez. | ||
| The pair clashed at the ] and Gomez stated ''"I'm raring to go and Alvarez is going to be knocked spark out"'', this venom was translated into the fight. From the outset of the fight Gomez tried draw Alvarez into a war. Gomez appeared to win the first two rounds behind stinging jabs, however, Alvarez seemed unruffled.<ref>{{cite web | author= | title="Michael Gomez To Top M.E.N. Bill" | work=Eastside Boxing | url=http://www.eastsideboxing.com/news.php?p=2584&more=1| accessdate=13 July | accessyear=2007}}</ref> In the third round the fight began to turn in Alvarez' favour as Gomez' face began to mark up badly. The fourth round was all action, as usual Gomez began quickly, attacking Alvarez from behind his jab and working his way through the guard of Alarvez. | |||
| ⚫ | Alvarez, appearing content to catch Gomez as he came forward and near the end of the round he rocked Gomez with a stiff right hand shot, after which the Argentinean launched into a furious onslaught onto the "Irish Mexican". |
||
| Another chance at a rematch with Arthur.<ref>{{cite web | author=Chris Roberts | title="All systems GO MEZ for Arthur rematch" | work=Doghouse Boxing| url=http://www.doghouseboxing.com/UK/spud0212a05.htm| accessdate=13 July | accessyear=2007}}</ref> | |||
| ===Peter McDonagh controversy=== | ===Peter McDonagh controversy=== | ||
| Gomez was then out of the ring for almost a year and was due to fight ] for the WBU Lightweight title but Gomez turned down that opportunity for a chance to fight for an Irish title. Gomez then signed up to fight fellow English |
Gomez was then out of the ring for almost a year and was due to fight ] for the WBU Lightweight title but Gomez turned down that opportunity for a chance to fight for an Irish title. Gomez then signed up to fight fellow English-based ] ], in England, for the Irish lightweight title on the undercard of a ] fight on ] ] at the ]. After the fight was signed Gomez stated ''"I just can’t wait to get my hands on that Irish title because I’ve been desperate to fight in Ireland for years"''. Leading up to the fight McDonagh was seeing the famous paranormalist ] as mind coach to help him mentally prepared for the fight and Geller travelled with him to Dublin for the fight. | ||
| Gomez commented that ''"I’m not sure Uri Geller will be of much use to him though because there won’t be any spoon’s in that ring for him to bend. The only thing I plan on bending is some of McDonagh’s ribs with my body punches"''.<ref> | |||
| </ref> | |||
| The first four rounds were relatively close with Gomez leading according to pundits but the fight ended in the fifth round in bizarre circumstances when for no apparent reason Gomez stopped fighting and failed to defend himself, he then received a number of unanswered punches from McDonagh before being floored. Gomez rose from the canvas immediately but appeared to ignore the referee and walk towards his corner while the referee continued with his count, and then left the ring as the referee was waving the fight off. The ] commentator ] commented that ''"I smell a rat, something's not right here"''. |
The first four rounds were relatively close with Gomez leading according to pundits but the fight ended in the fifth round in bizarre circumstances when for no apparent reason Gomez stopped fighting and failed to defend himself, he then received a number of unanswered punches from McDonagh before being floored. Gomez rose from the canvas immediately but appeared to ignore the referee and walk towards his corner while the referee continued with his count, and then left the ring as the referee was waving the fight off. The ] commentator ] commented that ''"I smell a rat, something's not right here"''. | ||
| The BUI initially suspended both fighters purses, and investigated reports of unusual beating patterns and large sums of money being placed on McDonagh to win inside the distance and more specifically in the fifth round after on McDonagh to win the fight in the fifth-round had been cut from 125-1 to 18-1 by the afternoon of the bout. | The BUI initially suspended both fighters purses, and investigated reports of unusual beating patterns and large sums of money being placed on McDonagh to win inside the distance and more specifically in the fifth round after on McDonagh to win the fight in the fifth-round had been cut from 125-1 to 18-1 by the afternoon of the bout. | ||
| Following an investigation, the BUI released the purses to each of the fighters, stating ''"Michael Gomez and Peter McDonagh confirmed that neither they, their families, nor any person in their camp, as far as they were aware, betted on the fight"'', but expressing disappointment that the |
Following an investigation, the BUI released the purses to each of the fighters, stating ''"Michael Gomez and Peter McDonagh confirmed that neither they, their families, nor any person in their camp, as far as they were aware, betted on the fight"'', but expressing disappointment that the bookmaker ], who had suspended wagering on the bout due to the unusual betting patterns, had chosen not to reply to the investigators' queries.<ref></ref> | ||
| ⚫ | Gomez later explained the loss by saying that ''"it was all very simple, I just came to a decision in there that I need to retire from boxing full stop"''.<ref>{{cite web | author= |
||
| ⚫ | Gomez later explained the loss by saying that ''"it was all very simple, I just came to a decision in there that I need to retire from boxing full stop"''.<ref>{{cite web | author=Thomas Rohan | title="Gomez - I'm happy with my decision" | work=irish-boxing.com |url=http://www.irish-boxing.com/january06/31_January_2006_Gomez.htm| accessdate=13 July | accessyear=2007}}</ref> Gomez further indicated that he planned to pursue a career in bodybuilding. McDonagh claimed that he had won because Geller helped him mentally prepare for the fight. {{Fact|date=August 2007}} | ||
| ⚫ | ==The Michael Gomez Story: The Movie== | ||
| ⚫ | ==''The Michael Gomez Story'': The Movie== | ||
| In 2007 a film depicting the life of Michael Gomez began production. Andrew |
In 2007 a film depicting the life of Michael Gomez began production. Andrew McHugh wrote the script based on Gomez's life. Gomez commented that ''"Everyone dreams about having a film made about their life and I'm no different."'' | ||
| The part of Gomez is played by ], who also plays ] in ] and the part of Gomez's best friend and fellow boxer ] is played by |
The part of Gomez is played by actor ] and the part of Gomez's best friend and fellow boxer ] is played by actor ].<ref>{{cite web | author=Mike Keegan | title="Boxer's big screen break" | work=]|url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/s/1012/1012156_boxers_big_screen_break.html| accessdate=13 August | accessyear=2007}}</ref> | ||
| ==References== | ==References== | ||
| Line 118: | Line 110: | ||
| ==External links== | ==External links== | ||
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| * @ ] | * @ ] | ||
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| {{DEFAULTSORT:Gomez, Michael}} | {{DEFAULTSORT:Gomez, Michael}} | ||
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Revision as of 13:25, 18 October 2007
| Michael Gomez | |
|---|---|
| Born | Michael Armstrong (1977-06-21) 21 June 1977 (age 47) Longford, Ireland |
| Nationality |  Irish |
| Other names | The Predator The Irish Mexican |
| Statistics | |
| Weight(s) | Super featherweight |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 41 |
| Wins | 34 |
| Wins by KO | 24 |
| Losses | 7 |
| Draws | 0 |
| No contests | 0 |
Michael Gomez (born as Michael Armstrong, 21 June 1977, County Longford, Ireland), known as "The Predator", was a professional boxer who grew up in an Irish traveller family in Collyhurst, Manchester.
He usually fights at lightweight however earlier in his career has also fought in the featherweight and super featherweight divisions. Gomez, who is compared to Johnny Tapia who also lived a turbulent life, is often involved in controversial and explosive fights with all of his last 15 fights have ended within the distance.
Background
Gomez was born into a Irish gypsy family in County Longford. As his mother was driving herself to the hospital to give birth, she crashed her car into a lamp post and gave birth to him on the back seat of the car. However, he was forced to change his name when signing as a professional boxer. He chose the name Michael Gomez in honour of Puerto Rican boxer Wilfredo Gómez.
Gomez is from a family of nine brothers and sisters, who moved firstly to Dublin, later when he was aged nine the Armstrong family moved to Manchester in the northwest of England. Following the move to England, the family experienced problems - the eyesight of Gomez's father began to fail, while his mother left the family to elope with another woman. Gomez has three children by his partner, Alison.
Gomez spent much of his youth in various children's homes. A serial truant from school, he was involved in petty crime throughout his youth in Manchester. His mother had reportedly taught him to be a shoplifter. Aged nine, Gomez began training at Brian Hughes' Collyhurst and Moston Boys' Club. He also played football for a local north Manchester team until the club received so many fines for Gomez's fighting on the pitch that they were unable to pay them. At this point Gomez had to stop playing football and concentrate on boxing.
Gomez has a brawling all out action style which earned him the nickname of "the Irish Mexican", his ring entrance music is that of a Mexican Mariachi band and his fans wear sombreros. He also wears long Mexican style boxing shorts in the colours of the Irish tricolour and often has the shape of a shamrock shaven into the hair on the back of his head. Gomez's boxing career has been littered with highs and lows including a spectacular win over Alex Arthur and losses to, among others, Peter McDonagh.
In 1996, Gomez was charged with murder after a gang fight outside a nightclub in Manchester. Gomez had hit one of the men, who as a result of the blow banged his head on the pavement and died. The murder charge was later reduced to a charge of manslaughter and Gomez was cleared of the charges after it was ruled that he had acted in self-defence.
During another streetfight Gomez was stabbed and temporarily died when his heart stopped beating for 48 seconds on the operating table.
Debut as a professional
Gomez boxed as an amateur before turning professional in June 1995, winning his first fight at the G-Mex Leisure Centre, Manchester, in which Gomez beat the previously undefeated Danny Ruegg on an undercard of a bill that included Robin Reid and Michael Brodie. Despite this initial win Gomez's early career was comprised of losses to journeymen fighters such as Greg Upton, Chris Williams and a reversal to Ruegg.
Title fights
After an initially shaky beginning in the professional ranks, Gomez then went on a run of victories. From September 1997 to February 1999, Gomez won seven straight fights before he fought for his first title belt, the vacant British Central Area featherweight title against Chris Jickells on 27 February 1999 in Oldham. Gomez easily won the title against Jickells with in a fifth round knockout. Gomez followed his first title win by adding another title, the IBF Intercontinental featherweight title, this time with a second round knockout over Nigel Leake.
Move to Super featherweight
Soon after, Gomez relinquished his belts in a bid to move up to the super featherweight division. His first fight as a super featherweight was for the vacant British super featherweight title against Liverpudlian Gary Thornhill at the York Hall, Bethnal Green in 1999. Gomez swept Thornhill aside with a second round knockout. His following fight in November 1999 was against Mexican boxer Jose Manjarrez for the WBO Inter-Continental Super Featherweight title and Gomez won this fight also but this time on a points victory over twelve rounds in what would be his last fight of 1999. In that year he won four title belts and being undefeated.
Bognar fights
Gomez continued the success he enjoyed in 1999 with another streak on six wins in 2000. His first fight in 2001 was on 10 February against Hungarian Laszlo Bognar for the WBO Intercontinental Super Featherweight title in Widnes, Cheshire, England. Gomez was the favourite and had been tipped to win the fight easily. Gomez had Bongar on the canvas in the fifth round after landing a crushing left hook and although Bognar was shaken Gomez was unable to make his power count and finish the fight. Bognar recovered from his knockdown and kept Gomez at bay with his southpaw jab and in the ninth round Gomez was stopped after referee Dave Paris stepped in following a double left from Bognar which was had Gomez against the ropes. Gomez felt the fight had been stopped prematurely and that he should be been allowed to continue in the fight.
Gomez later stated that he was suffering from flu and should not have taken the fight, however others pointed to his well publicised out of the ring troubles. There had been reports in the press that Gomez was not training regularly, that he had not stuck to his diet and had been out drinking and clubbing. Reports also circulated that Gomez was having trouble in his private life and that he had been stabbed in a streetfight.
Gomez wanted to rematch against Bognar and five months later, in July 2001, the pair had a rematch in Manchester what what turned out to be a short and explosive encounter. The fight started badly for Gomez when he suffered a flash knockdown in the first round and was down again in the second, but Gomez came back to put Bognar down near the end of the second round. Gomez came out firing at the start of the third round and finished the fight with a fourth and final knockdown.
Defeat to Kevin Lear
Gomez followed up his victory over Bognar with another British title win over Craig Docherty with a second round KO against the Scottish fighter on a high profile bill that included David Barnes, future opponent Alex Arthur, Anthony Farnell, Junior Witter, Eamonn Magee, Freddie Pendleton and Ricky Hatton at the MEN Arena on 27 October 2001. His next opponent was unbeaten West Ham based fighter Kevin Lear on 1 June 2002 again at the MEN on the undercard of the Ricky Hatton v Eamonn Magee fight.
From the outset of the fight Lear, a former ABA champion, kept a one-dimensional Gomez at bay with his sharp jab. Lear inflicted damage to the nose of Gomez who's nose began to bleed heavily from the sixth round. By the eighth round Gomez was slowing suffering the effects of Lear's continuing barrage of combinations. At the end of the eight round Gomez's trainer Brian Hughes retired Gomez, giving Lear a surprising victory.
Move to the Phoenix Gym
The defeat to Lear, and the manner in which the fight ended, prompted Gomez's longtime mentor and trainer, Brian Hughes, to ask Gomez to quit boxing. This event signalled the end of the relationship between Gomez and Hughes and soon after Gomez crossed Manchester to join Ricky Hatton and former Collyhurst gym stablemate Anthony Farnell at the rival Phoenix Gym run by Billy Graham. He later moved to the Ultimate Fitness gym with Bobby Rimmer. Rimmer, who was also a coach of Ricky Hatton at Phoenix Camp up until the Kosta Tsyzu fight, had built the gym in Stalybridge, Manchester, after doing up an old mill in the town. The Gym was renamed as the Bobby Rimmer's Boxing Academy.
Gomez followed Rimmer to the new gym and brought other people along with him. Rimmer then allowed an amateur gym to start up there and sometimes helps the amateur gym with his professional side. Both gyms are now bursting with young talent, some potential stars of the future, and some stars of the present.
Alex Arthur fight
Again in what was becoming a predictable pattern in Gomez's career he followed the defeat to Lear with a string of three wins, all by knockout. Gomez then fought in what is the highest profile fight of his career against Edinburgh based fighter "Amazing" Alex Arthur for the British and WBA International Super Featherweight titles. The fight took place at a sold out Meadowbank Stadium, Edinburgh, Scotland in October 2003, in what was the first professional boxing card in the city for almost 20 years.
A war of words was waged between the two fighters prior to the fight, Arthur had stirred up the animosity between the pair stating in an interview that Gomez "gets involved in wars with journeymen", that "looking deep into Gomez’s eyes at the press conference, I’m not sure even he believes he can win. He’ll be so fired up I expect it’ll take me eight or nine rounds but, if his resistance has gone as people are saying, it could be a lot sooner" and "I see about 20 ways to beat him. I'm just looking forward to shutting him up.".
Arthur, who was looking to retain the Lonsdale belt, was seen as a rising star in British boxing and was being groomed to be a future world champion. Arthur was a strong favourite to defeat Gomez and this fight was seen a as stepping stone against a Gomez who it was perceived had been through too many battles and abused his body too much.
Gomez proved his critics wrong when on the night of the fight he arrived in prime condition and with aggression, determination and desire. The first two rounds started at a furious pace with Arthur keeping Gomez at bay with stiff jabs and Gomez working inside with crashing hooks and body punches. The match soon turned into a clashs of opposing styles with Arthur displaying control and boxing technique and Gomez storming forward with wild ferocity. Arthur's trainer, Freddie Roach, was criticized for not being at ringside because he remained in the U.S. as the fight clashed with that of, Manny Pacquiao, another fighters in his stable who was fighting Marco Antonio Barrera, in San Antonio.
From the third round the fight began to turn Gomez's way. Gomez cut Arthur in the third and silenced the home crowd, who were not used to seeing Arthur being punished in this manner. Gomez again dominated the fourth round and was in full control of the fight and at one stage landed 28 consecutive punches.
Gomez won the badly tempered contest by delivering an explosive knock-out to Arthur in the fifth round. Arthur was dropped heavily three times in front of his adoring home fans before referee, John Coyle, stopped the fight as Arthur was knocked to the canvas for the third time. The fight was hailed as own of the best best fights in Britain for a decade. Boxing promoter Frank Warren called the fight "the greatest contest seen on these shores since Nigel Benn beat Gerald McClennan in 1995".
WBU world title and Arthur rematch
The relationship between Arthurs and Gomez would continued fester when Gomez attended Arthurs next against Ugandan Michael Kizza in Meadowbank. On 3 March 2004, Gomez fought Ghanan Ben Odamattey for the WBU super featherweight title at the MEN Arena in Manchester. Gomez won the title, stopping Odamattey in the third round. Gomez commented that he had attended Arthur's fight but Arthur had not turned up to his, stating "I gatecrashed Arthur's party by beating him for the British title in his own city of Edinburgh. Why didn't he come and watch my fight in Manchester on Saturday night? Sky Television want a return. Frank Warren, Arthur's manager, wants a re-match. And most of all so do I."
Arthur responded saying "the fight (with Gomez) is definitely going to happen. Hopefully I'll get another warm-up fight in June and then take on Gomez in September." Gomez retained his WBU title in his next two fights over Justin Juuko and Leva Kirakosyan with knockout wins and then faced Argentinian boxer "El Vikingo", Javier Osvaldo Alvarez. The fight took place on 11 February 2005 and was Gomez's eighth fight at the MEN Arena. Joe Calzaghe pulled out of his arranged fight and it was left to Gomez to top the bill at the MEN.
The pair clashed at the weigh in and Gomez stated "I'm raring to go and Alvarez is going to be knocked spark out", this venom was translated into the fight. From the outset of the fight Gomez tried draw Alvarez into a war. Gomez appeared to win the first two rounds behind stinging jabs, however, Alvarez seemed unruffled. In the third round the fight began to turn in Alvarez's favour as Gomez' face began to mark up badly. The fourth round was all action, as usual Gomez began quickly, attacking Alvarez from behind his jab and working his way through the guard of Alvarez.
Alvarez, appearing content to catch Gomez as he came forward and near the end of the round he rocked Gomez with a stiff right hand shot, after which the Argentinean launched into a furious onslaught onto the "Irish Mexican". Gomez steadied in the fifth but was visibly tired. Two minutes into the sixth round Gomez was caught flush by a clubbing right hand which floored him. Gomez beat the count and Alvarez then moved in to finish the fight. Mickey Vann stopped the fight after after 2 minutes 25 seconds with Gomez pinned to the ropes by Alvarez.
Peter McDonagh controversy
Gomez was then out of the ring for almost a year and was due to fight Willie Limond for the WBU Lightweight title but Gomez turned down that opportunity for a chance to fight for an Irish title. Gomez then signed up to fight fellow English-based Irish traveller Peter McDonagh, in England, for the Irish lightweight title on the undercard of a Bernard Dunne fight on 28 January 2006 at the National Stadium, Dublin. After the fight was signed Gomez stated "I just can’t wait to get my hands on that Irish title because I’ve been desperate to fight in Ireland for years". Leading up to the fight McDonagh was seeing the famous paranormalist Uri Geller as mind coach to help him mentally prepared for the fight and Geller travelled with him to Dublin for the fight.
Gomez commented that "I’m not sure Uri Geller will be of much use to him though because there won’t be any spoon’s in that ring for him to bend. The only thing I plan on bending is some of McDonagh’s ribs with my body punches".
The first four rounds were relatively close with Gomez leading according to pundits but the fight ended in the fifth round in bizarre circumstances when for no apparent reason Gomez stopped fighting and failed to defend himself, he then received a number of unanswered punches from McDonagh before being floored. Gomez rose from the canvas immediately but appeared to ignore the referee and walk towards his corner while the referee continued with his count, and then left the ring as the referee was waving the fight off. The RTÉ commentator Steve Collins commented that "I smell a rat, something's not right here".
The BUI initially suspended both fighters purses, and investigated reports of unusual beating patterns and large sums of money being placed on McDonagh to win inside the distance and more specifically in the fifth round after on McDonagh to win the fight in the fifth-round had been cut from 125-1 to 18-1 by the afternoon of the bout.
Following an investigation, the BUI released the purses to each of the fighters, stating "Michael Gomez and Peter McDonagh confirmed that neither they, their families, nor any person in their camp, as far as they were aware, betted on the fight", but expressing disappointment that the bookmaker Boylesports, who had suspended wagering on the bout due to the unusual betting patterns, had chosen not to reply to the investigators' queries.
Gomez later explained the loss by saying that "it was all very simple, I just came to a decision in there that I need to retire from boxing full stop". Gomez further indicated that he planned to pursue a career in bodybuilding. McDonagh claimed that he had won because Geller helped him mentally prepare for the fight.
The Michael Gomez Story: The Movie
In 2007 a film depicting the life of Michael Gomez began production. Andrew McHugh wrote the script based on Gomez's life. Gomez commented that "Everyone dreams about having a film made about their life and I'm no different."
The part of Gomez is played by actor Jody Latham and the part of Gomez's best friend and fellow boxer Michael Jennings is played by actor Kelvin Fletcher.
References
- Curtis McCormick. ""Alex Arthur"". BoxingTalk. Retrieved 13 October.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - Boxrec. ""Michael Gomez"". Boxrec Fighter Page. Retrieved 13 June.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ""Michael Gomez Headlines, Amateurs Re-scheduled"". Eastside Boxing. Retrieved 13 July.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - Derick Allsop. ""Boxing: Born in back seat of crashed car"". Sunday Mirror. Retrieved 13 June.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - Stuart Brennan. ""Khan you believe it?"". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 13 June.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - Elliot Worsell. ""Britain's most exciting fighters"". SecondsOut.com. Retrieved 13 June.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ Alan Hubbard. ""'Wild child' Gomez set to test Arthur's mettle"". The Independent on Sunday. Retrieved 13 June.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ""Bognar Upsets Gomez"". Boxing Times. Retrieved 13 June.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - Julian Wilson. ""Boxer of the week - Michael Gomez"". Britishboxing.net. Retrieved 13 June.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ""Hatton makes devastating defence"". BBC. Retrieved 13 June.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - Mark Staniforth. ""Lear Claims Memorable Win"". Sporting Life. Retrieved 13 June.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - Stuart Brennan. ""Boxing: Gomez switches camps"". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 13 June.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ""Gomez to fight Frenchman"". BBC. Retrieved 13 July.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ""Amazing All-Round"". Boxing Monthly. Retrieved 13 June.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ""Amazing All-Round"". Boxing Monthly. Retrieved 13 June.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ""Arthur shrugs off trainer blow"". BBC. Retrieved 13 June.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ""Star Profiles - Alex Arthur"". ITV. Retrieved 13 June.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - Julian Wilson. ""Boxer of the week - Michael Gomez"". Britishboxing.net. Retrieved 13 June.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - Elliot Worsell. ""Britain's most exciting fighters"". SecondsOut.com. Retrieved 13 June.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - Julian Wilson. ""Boxer of the week - Michael Gomez"". Britishboxing.net. Retrieved 13 June.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - Stephen Jones. ""Amazing Fighters, Amazing Fight"". Braggingrightscorner.com. Retrieved 13 June.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - Stephen Jones. ""Amazing Fighters, Amazing Fight"". Braggingrightscorner.com. Retrieved 13 June.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - Stephen Jones. ""Amazing Fighters, Amazing Fight"". Braggingrightscorner.com. Retrieved 13 June.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ""Arthur shrugs off trainer blow"". BBC. Retrieved 13 June.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - Stephen Halliday. ""Arthur on tenterhooks with Roach arrival in doubt"". The Scotsman. Retrieved 13 June.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - Stephen Jones. ""Amazing Fighters, Amazing Fight"". Braggingrightscorner.com. Retrieved 13 June.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - K. MacInnes. ""This England"". New Statesman. Retrieved 13 June.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - BoxingTalk
- Hugh Keevins. ""Gomez Boxing Clever"". The Daily Record. Retrieved 13 July.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ""Gomez to fight Frenchman"". BBC. Retrieved 13 July.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - Mark Porter. ""Alvarez Stops Brave Gomez in Six"". BritishBoxing.net. Retrieved 13 July.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - Steve Bunce. ""Alvarez hammer blows put Gomez career on ropes"". The Independent. Retrieved 13 July.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ""Michael Gomez To Top M.E.N. Bill"". Eastside Boxing. Retrieved 13 July.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - Re Uri Geller
- TCM.ie archives
- Thomas Rohan. ""Gomez - I'm happy with my decision"". irish-boxing.com. Retrieved 13 July.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - Mike Keegan. ""Boxer's big screen break"". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 13 August.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help)
External links
- Eastsideboxing.com
- Times article re McDonagh
- Michael Gomez's record @ boxrec
- Michael Gomez's official website
- Trailer for Michael Gomez film
- BBC
- Times Online
- Village.ie The breaking of a boxer
- Findarticles.com
- UK.eurosport.yahoo.com