Michael Gomez facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Michael Gomez
Statistics
Real name	Michael Armstrong
Nickname(s)	The Predator The Irish Mexican The Mancunian Mexican The Manchester Mexican
Rated at	Featherweight Super-featherweight Lightweight
Height	5 ft 5+1/2 in
Reach	68 in
Born	(1977-06-21) 21 June 1977 (age 48) Longford, Ireland
Stance	Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights	48
Wins	38
Wins by KO	25
Losses	10

Michael Gomez (born Michael Armstrong; 21 June 1977) is a former professional boxer. He competed in boxing from 1995 to 2009. Michael was born in Longford, Ireland, into an Irish Traveller family. He spent his early years in Dublin before moving to London and then Manchester, England, at age nine.

In the boxing world, he was known by several cool nicknames. These included "The Predator," "The Irish Mexican," and "The Mancunian Mexican." Even though he finished his career fighting as a lightweight, Gomez is most famous for his fights as a featherweight and super-featherweight. He won many regional championships during his career. The most important was the British super-featherweight title, which he held twice from 1999 to 2004. He also won the WBU super-featherweight title from 2004 to 2005.

Gomez had many exciting and memorable fights. In his first matches, he lost a few times to less experienced boxers. But then, he went on a winning streak that lasted almost four years. From February 2001 to March 2008, 16 of his 17 fights ended in a knockout. In 2003, Gomez seemed to be back on track. He had a big fight against Edinburgh boxer Alex Arthur for the British and WBA Inter-Continental super-featherweight titles. Gomez won by knocking out Arthur in the fifth round.

In 2006, Gomez had a strange loss to Peter McDonagh. During a round, he suddenly dropped his guard and walked out of the ring. He later said he had retired from boxing. However, he returned to the ring after 15 months. On 21 June 2008, Gomez fought what many thought would be his last fight. It was a chance to restart his career against the rising star and Olympic silver medallist Amir Khan. Gomez surprised everyone by knocking Khan down early in the fight. But Khan recovered, and Gomez was stopped in five rounds. Michael Gomez took his boxing surname from his childhood hero, Wilfredo Gómez.

Michael Gomez: His Early Life

Michael Armstrong was born into an Irish Traveller family in Longford, Ireland. His mother started labor while driving. His partially sighted father took the wheel but crashed the car. Michael was born in the back seat on the way to the hospital. The Armstrong family later moved to Ballymun, Dublin. When Michael was nine, they moved to Manchester, England.

Michael Gomez training with Bobby Rimmer

After moving to England, Michael's father's eyesight got worse. The Armstrong family had ten children. Michael's younger sister, Louise, sadly died from sudden infant death syndrome. After this, his mother left the family. Michael spent much of his youth in different children's homes. He often skipped school. At nine years old, he started training at Brian Hughes' Collyhurst and Moston Boys' Club. He also played football for a local team. But the club got too many fines because Michael kept fighting on the field. So, he stopped playing football to focus on boxing. During his time in the children's home, Michael met Alison. She has been his partner and later his wife throughout his boxing career. They became parents when Michael was 17.

Michael Gomez: A Boxing Career

Starting His Boxing Journey

Michael Armstrong was an amateur boxer before turning professional in June 1995. He chose the professional surname "Gomez." This was because the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBoC) needed him to pick a different name. There was already another boxer in the same weight class named Michael Armstrong. He picked "Gomez" to honor Puerto Rican boxer Wilfredo Gómez. Michael had studied Wilfredo's fights when he was young.

This new name, along with Gomez's "brawling style," earned him the nickname "the Irish Mexican." He created a ring persona based on this nickname. It became very popular with fans. His entrance music is often from a Mexican Mariachi band. This refers to his Hispanic-sounding chosen name. Many of his supporters wear sombreros and wave Irish flags at his fights. Gomez also wears long Mexican-style boxing shorts. They are in the colors of the flag of Ireland. He often has a shamrock shape shaved into the hair on the back of his head.

In his first professional fight, Gomez beat Danny Ruegg. This fight took place at the G-Mex Leisure Centre in Manchester, England. It was on the same night as fights featuring Robin Reid and Michael Brodie. Despite this first win, Gomez's early career had some losses. He lost to experienced fighters like Greg Upton and Chris Williams.

After a tough start, Gomez went on a winning streak. This lasted from September 1997 to February 1999. During this time, he won seven fights in a row. He then fought for his first title belt. This was the vacant British Central Area featherweight title. He fought Chris Jickells on 27 February 1999 in Oldham. Gomez won the title with a fifth-round knockout. He then added another championship. This was the IBF Inter-Continental featherweight title. He won it with a second-round knockout over Nigel Leake.

Moving Up in Weight: Super-Featherweight

Later in 1999, Gomez gave up his championship belts. He wanted to move up to the super-featherweight division. His first fight in this new division was in September 1999. It was for the vacant British super-featherweight title. He fought the experienced Liverpudlian boxer Gary Thornhill. Gomez defeated Thornhill with a second-round knockout. In November 1999, Gomez faced Mexican boxer Jose Manjarrez. This was for the WBO Inter-Continental super-featherweight title. Gomez won the title based on the judges' scores after all twelve rounds.

In 1999, Gomez won four title belts. He was undefeated that year. He was also named "Young Boxer of the Year" by the British Boxing Writers' Club. He continued his winning form into 2000. He had another six wins. He successfully defended his British super-featherweight title against Dean Pithie, Carl Greaves, and Ian McLeod.

Tough Fights and Comebacks

Gomez's first fight in 2001 was on February 10. He fought Hungarian boxer Laszlo Bognar for the WBO Inter-Continental super-featherweight title. This fight was in Widnes, Cheshire. Gomez knocked Bognar down in the fifth round. But Bognar recovered. He used his southpaw jab to keep Gomez away. In the ninth round, the referee stopped the fight. Gomez felt the fight was stopped too early. He believed he should have been allowed to continue. Gomez later said he had the flu and should not have fought.

Gomez wanted a rematch against Bognar. Five months later, in July 2001, they fought again in Manchester. This time, Gomez won. The fight started tough for Gomez. He was knocked down briefly in the first round. He was down again in the second. But Gomez fought back. He knocked Bognar down near the end of the second round. Gomez came out strong in the third round. He finished the fight with a fourth and final knockdown. This win helped him get revenge for his earlier defeat. After this, he had a second-round knockout win over Scottish fighter Craig Docherty. This earned him another British super-featherweight title.

His next opponent was the unbeaten West Ham boxer Kevin Lear. They fought on June 1, 2002, in Manchester. This was before the Ricky Hatton vs. Eamonn Magee fight. Lear, a former Amateur Boxing Association of England (ABA) champion, kept Gomez away with his sharp jab. Gomez took many punches to the face. His nose started bleeding heavily in the sixth round. By the eighth round, Gomez was slowing down. He was feeling the effects of Lear's punches. At the end of the eighth round, Gomez's trainer, Brian Hughes, stopped the fight. This gave Lear a surprise victory.

The loss to Lear made Hughes, Gomez's longtime trainer, ask him to retire from boxing. This ended the relationship between Gomez and Hughes. Soon after, Gomez joined Ricky Hatton and Anthony Farnell at the Phoenix Gym. This gym was run by Billy Graham. After the defeat to Lear, Gomez had three wins in a row, all by knockout.

The Big Fight Against Alex Arthur

Gomez sparring with headgear

After changing trainers, Gomez signed up for the biggest fight of his career. He would face "Amazing" Alex Arthur from Edinburgh. This fight was for the British and WBA Inter-Continental super-featherweight titles. The fight took place in a sold-out Meadowbank Stadium in October 2003. It was the first professional boxing event in Edinburgh in almost 20 years.

Before the fight, Arthur said he didn't think Gomez believed he could win. Arthur was seen as a rising star in British boxing. He was expected to win easily against Gomez. Many thought Gomez had been in too many tough fights. However, Arthur's trainer, Freddie Roach, stayed in the United States. He coached another boxer instead of preparing Arthur for this championship match.

Gomez proved his critics wrong. He arrived at the fight in excellent shape. He showed great aggression, determination, and desire. The first two rounds were very fast-paced. Arthur used jabs to keep Gomez away. Gomez worked inside with hooks and body punches. It was a clash of styles. Arthur showed control and boxing skill. Gomez charged forward with wild power. From the third round, the fight started to go Gomez's way. Gomez cut Arthur in the third round. He quieted the home crowd, who were not used to seeing their hero getting hit so much. Gomez controlled the fourth round completely. He showed Arthur's weak defense. At one point, Gomez landed 28 punches without Arthur hitting back.

Gomez knocked Arthur down twice. Then, he landed a powerful left hook. This knocked Arthur to the canvas for a third time. The referee, John Coyle, stopped the fight. Gomez won with a TKO in the fifth round. This match was called one of the best fights in Britain in ten years. Boxing promoter Frank Warren said it was the "greatest contest seen on these shores since Nigel Benn beat Gerald McClellan in 1995." Retired Scottish boxer Ken Buchanan called it one of the best fights he had ever seen.

Gomez went to Arthur's next fight against Michael Kizza. But Arthur did not show up when Gomez fought Ben Odamattey a few weeks later. Gomez mentioned this in an interview. He said that "Sky Television want a return. Frank Warren, Arthur's manager, wants a re-match. And most of all so do I." Arthur replied that the fight "is definitely going to happen." He hoped to have another warm-up fight and then face Gomez in September. Despite all the talk, the two boxers never fought each other again.

Winning a World Title: WBU Champion

In March 2004, Gomez fought Ben Odamattey from Ghana. This was for the WBU super-featherweight title. The fight took place at the MEN Arena in Manchester. Gomez won the championship by stopping Odamattey in the third round. He kept his WBU title in his next two fights. He beat Justin Juuko and Leva Kirakosyan by knockout.

Gomez then faced Argentinian boxer "El Vikingo" Javier Osvaldo Alvarez in February 2005. This fight was also at the MEN Arena in Manchester. Joe Calzaghe was supposed to be the main event, but he pulled out. So, Gomez and Alvarez became the main attraction. The two boxers had a tense moment at the weigh-in. This tension carried into the ring. From the start, Gomez tried to get Alvarez into a brawl. Gomez seemed to win the first two rounds with strong jabs. But Alvarez appeared calm.

In the third round, Alvarez started to take control. He landed several punches to Gomez's face. Gomez started quickly in the fourth round. He attacked Alvarez with jabs and worked through his defense. Alvarez seemed happy to hit Gomez as he moved forward. Despite Gomez's strong start, Alvarez stunned Gomez with a hard right hand in the fourth round. After this, the Argentinian launched a strong attack. Gomez got steady in the fifth round but looked tired. Two minutes into the sixth round, Alvarez knocked Gomez down with a right hook. Gomez got up before the referee finished counting. Alvarez then moved in to continue his attack. The referee, Mickey Vann, stopped the fight. This happened after 2 minutes and 25 seconds of the round. Gomez was pinned against the ropes and taking many punches.

Returning to the Boxing Ring

Gomez working the pads

Gomez felt drawn back to boxing after watching a fight between Alex Arthur and Carl Johanneson. He started training again. In May 2007, 15 months after his fight with McDonagh, he returned to the ring. He faced Daniel Thorpe at the Altrincham Leisure Centre in Manchester.

Gomez had left the Phoenix Gym. He was now training at Bobby Rimmers' Boxing Academy in Stalybridge, Manchester. He returned to fight in the super featherweight division. The fight was called "The Last Stand". The venue was sold out. Fellow boxers Ricky Hatton and his brother Matthew Hatton cheered him on from ringside. Gomez won the fight with a stoppage in the third round. The next month, Gomez also beat Youssef Al Hamidi. This was also a third-round stoppage.

After two comeback fights against less experienced opponents, Gomez was rumored to fight some of Britain and Ireland's top boxers. These included Kevin Mitchell, Amir Khan, and Carl Johanneson. Gomez himself wanted a rematch against Peter McDonagh. He then signed to face Carl Johanneson from Leeds. This fight was on October 19, 2007, at the Doncaster Dome, Doncaster, England. It was for the British super-featherweight title. Johanneson had just lost his second fight to Armenian Leva Kirakosyan. Gomez had knocked out Kirakosyan in October 2004.

Before the fight, Gomez was confident. He said, "You can't outbox me. I'll jab your head off." He added that if Johanneson wanted a fight, "someone's going to go and it's not going to be me." At the press conference, both boxers faced each other. They promised to knock each other out. Their promoter and trainers had to keep them apart. As many expected, the fight was a fierce brawl from the first round. Gomez won the early rounds. He threatened to overpower Johanneson from the start. But the Leeds fighter gained control as the fight went on. He knocked Gomez down in the sixth round. But the "Irish Mexican" got up. Soon after, Gomez looked unsteady. The referee, Mickey Vann, stopped the fight. Gomez said Vann stopped the fight too early. He added, "When the stoppage came, I wasn't wobbling or staggering." He said he only dropped his hands to show Johanneson he couldn't be hurt. "But the referee simply got the wrong message. It was bad refereeing." He told the referee he was fine. The former champion clearly wanted another chance to fight for the British title.

Facing the Star: Amir Khan Fight

Gomez fought Amir Khan for the Commonwealth lightweight title. This fight was at the National Indoor Arena, Birmingham, on June 21, 2008. It was Gomez's 31st birthday. Khan said that "there is no way he will be as fit as me, so I expect a spectacular stoppage." Gomez did not attend the pre-fight press conference. Khan made fun of him for this. Promoter Frank Warren said Gomez was not showing respect to Khan and the media.

During the fight, Khan knocked Gomez down in the first round. He used many hooks and uppercuts. In the second round, Gomez hit Khan with a left hook. This knocked the younger boxer down. It showed Khan's defensive weakness. However, Khan got steady after the required eight-count. He cut Gomez above the left eye before the round ended. Gomez hit Khan in the ribs with a left hook in the fourth round. This made Khan unsteady for a moment. But Khan responded with many hooks and jabs. Khan landed a "cracking left hook" in the fifth. But Gomez got up. At 2 minutes and 32 seconds of the fifth round, the referee, John Keane, stopped the fight. Gomez was knocked into the ropes by a Khan left uppercut. After the fight, Khan said he felt he had improved by "fighting world class fighters like Gomez."

Before the fight, sports writers thought Gomez would be a tough opponent for Khan. They noted his "knockout punch" and his success against Alex Arthur. This was despite Gomez having lost three of his last six fights. Gomez saw the fight as a chance to restart his career. In an interview before the fight, he said, "This fight really is my last chance to set myself up for life and become known in every household in Britain." He also talked about the good things boxing brought him. "Boxing kept my feet on the ground and gave me a focus. It's got me through the bad times and calmed me down. If it wasn't for boxing, I wouldn't have my beautiful wife and family." Gomez lives with his wife Alison and their three children in Manchester.

Michael Gomez: Boxing Record

Images for kids

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  Training on bodywork with Bobby Rimmer