The boxing world has been thrown into mourning following the death of legendary Puerto Rican fighter and three-weight world champion, Wilfredo “Bazooka” Gomez, at the age of 69.
Gomez, widely celebrated for his devastating punching power and remarkable knockout record, died after spending two weeks in hospital battling respiratory complications.
His death was confirmed on Saturday by former World Boxing Organisation (WBO) president, Paco Valcarcel, who paid an emotional tribute to the former champion.
“He passed away a few hours ago, the one to whom I owe having entered the great family of international boxing,” Valcarcel wrote on social media.
“Rest in peace, my eternal champion Wilfredo ‘Bazooka’ Gomez.”
The World Boxing Council (WBC) also mourned the boxing icon, describing him as “one of the greatest icons in the history of the sport”.
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👉 JOIN GISTSMATE WHATSAPP CHANNELGomez was one of boxing’s most feared punchers, recording an extraordinary 42 knockouts from 44 victories in 48 professional fights.
He won world championships in three weight divisions, claiming titles at super-bantamweight, featherweight and super-featherweight.
His dominance in the super-bantamweight division remains one of the most remarkable achievements in boxing history.
The Puerto Rican successfully defended his world title 17 consecutive times, winning every defence by knockout.
Among his most celebrated victories was his 1978 triumph over Mexican knockout specialist Carlos Zarate, who entered their encounter unbeaten in 52 professional fights.
Gomez stopped Zarate in the fifth round in San Juan, Puerto Rico, handing the Mexican his first professional defeat while retaining his WBC super-bantamweight championship.
He also recorded victories over several prominent fighters, including two-weight world champion Lupe Pintor, fellow Puerto Rican Juan Laporte and American Rocky Lockridge.
However, his illustrious career was not without setbacks.
Gomez suffered knockout defeats against Mexican boxing great Salvador Sanchez in 1981 and Ghanaian champion Azumah Nelson in 1984 during his pursuit of the WBC featherweight title.
Despite those defeats, his achievements across three weight divisions established him among the most accomplished fighters of his generation.
His boxing talent emerged early, as he represented Puerto Rico at the 1972 Olympic Games at just 15 years old.
Two years later, aged 17, he won gold at the inaugural World Amateur Championships in Cuba in 1974.
His contributions to the sport earned him induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1995.
Paying tribute to his legacy, the WBC acknowledged his historic run of knockout victories and his enormous influence on the sport.
The organisation said Gomez’s achievements and fighting spirit would remain an enduring part of boxing history.
His death marks the loss of one of Puerto Rico’s most celebrated sporting figures, whose extraordinary punching power earned him the nickname “Bazooka”.
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