Puerto Rican boxing legend Wilfredo “Bazooka” Gomez, a three-weight world champion famous for his devastating punching power, has died at the age of 69. Gomez won world titles in the super-bantamweight, featherweight and super-featherweight divisions, recording 44 victories in 48 professional fights, including 42 knockouts. His death was confirmed on…...
Puerto Rican boxing legend Wilfredo “Bazooka” Gomez, a three-weight world champion famous for his devastating punching power, has died at the age of 69.
Gomez won world titles in the super-bantamweight, featherweight and super-featherweight divisions, recording 44 victories in 48 professional fights, including 42 knockouts.
His death was confirmed on Saturday by former World Boxing Organisation (WBO) president Paco Valcarcel, who paid tribute to his compatriot in a social media post.
“He passed away a few hours ago, the one to whom I owe having entered the great family of international boxing,” Valcarcel wrote.
“Rest in peace, my eternal champion Wilfredo ‘Bazooka’ Gomez.”
The World Boxing Council (WBC) also mourned the former champion, describing him as “one of the greatest icons in the history of the sport”.
According to the WBC, Gomez had been hospitalised for two weeks due to respiratory complications.
Gomez earned a reputation as one of boxing’s most feared punchers through a career marked by victories over several leading fighters.
One of his most memorable performances came in 1978 when he faced Mexican knockout specialist Carlos Zarate in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Read Also: Etinosa Responds After Phyna Challenges Her To A Boxing Match
Gomez stopped Zarate in the fifth round to defend his WBC super-bantamweight title, handing his opponent the first defeat of his professional career after 52 consecutive victories.
He also recorded notable wins over two-weight world champion Lupe Pintor, fellow Puerto Rican Juan Laporte and American Rocky Lockridge.
His dominance at super-bantamweight was particularly remarkable, as he successfully defended his world title 17 consecutive times, winning every defence by knockout.
The WBC highlighted the achievement in its tribute to the late champion.
Gomez also experienced setbacks during his campaigns for the WBC featherweight title, losing to two celebrated fighters.
In 1981, Mexican great Salvador Sanchez stopped him, before Ghanaian champion Azumah Nelson knocked him out in 1984.
Despite the defeats, Gomez’s achievements across three weight divisions established him as one of the most accomplished boxers of his generation.
His talent emerged early. At 15, he competed at the 1972 Olympic Games before winning gold at the inaugural World Amateur Championships in Cuba in 1974, aged 17.
His accomplishments were later recognised with his induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1995.
In its tribute, the WBC described Gomez as a legendary figure whose influence extended beyond the ring, leaving a lasting mark on boxing and his native Puerto Rico.
His remarkable knockout record, unprecedented run of title defences and victories over elite opponents secured “Bazooka” Gomez’s place among the celebrated figures in boxing history.