A Fire Burns Within: The Miraculous Journey of Wilfredo 'Bazooka' Gomez

by Christian Giudice

Overview

Wilfredo "Bazooka" Gomez found his love of boxing as he fought off bullies while walking the streets of San Juan. Showing great promise in the ring, he soon rose to prominence, and in the late 1970s and early 1980s set a blistering pace that few boxers could equal. The three-time world title winner is remembered for his 17 consecutive title fight defenses—but his story runs much deeper. Including interviews with Gomez, those close to him, the fighters he fought, and those who watched his career unfold, this book details Gomez's dramatic rise to fame, but also tells of the struggles he faced after his fight career ended.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781785312359
Publisher:	Pitch Publishing
Publication date:	06/15/2016
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Sales rank:	1,017,863
File size:	4 MB

About the Author

Christian Giudice is the author of Hands of Stone: The Life and Legend of Roberto Duran and Beloved Warrior: The Rise and Fall of Alexis Arguello. He writes for boxing.com, covers boxing in Latin America, and teaches English at Parkwood High School in North Carolina.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements 9

Foreword 11

Introduction 15

A Champ is Born 19

Learning the Ropes: From the Amateurs to the Professional Ranks 36

Crowning a New Champ: Bazooka Drills Home a Title 60

Wilfredo Racks Up Knockouts: Becomes an Icon 80

Headed for a Showdown: Salvador in his Sights 94

Making Historic Defences: Breaking Duran's Record 110

No Longer Invincible: Gomez Goes Down Hard 129

Picking Up the Pieces: Wilfredo Moves On 159

Just What the Doctor Ordered 174

Searching for Redemption: Pintor in the Way 187

Moving on Up: Wilfredo Goes for Title Number Two 200

The End is Getting Near 211

Damaged: Gomez a Shell of Former Self 222

Wilfredo's Last Stand 243