Wilfredo Gomez, arguably the greatest Puerto Rican boxer in history, has died at the age of 69.
Gomez retired in 1989 when long past his best, but what came before, as he won world titles in three weight classes, was spellbinding.
A devastating combination puncher, as evidenced by his 44-3-1 (42 KOs) record and “Bazooka” nickname, Gomez won major belts at junior featherweight, featherweight and junior lightweight. Though he lost two of his biggest fights, to Salvador Sanchez in 1981 and Azumah Nelson three years later, victories over the likes of Carlos Zarate, Lupe Pintor, Juan Laporte and Rocky Lockridge secured his place at the top table during a talent-laden era.