One-on-One with Alfonso Gomez

By Brad Cooney

02/11/2007

One-on-One with Alfonso Gomez

Gomez-Chavez Jr in the works

Welterweight contender and former reality show star Alfonso Gomez sat down with Boxingtalk and assessed his performance against Ben Tackie.  Gomez also informed Boxingtalk that a fight between himself and Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr. is in the works for March of 2008.  Gomez also responds to recent comments made by Zab "Super" Judah.

BT - Give me your assessment on your performance against Ben Tackie.

AG - Well the plan was to not waste too much energy in the early rounds.  We knew that Ben Tackie always picks up his action after the 3rd round.  I kept my distance, and used my jab.  I moved around and tried not to get hit.  I tried to avoid those right hands, I was able to go under them, and block them.  I saw them coming.

BT - Teddy Atlas's analogy of Tackie was how the ocean tide comes in, slowly but surely.  Did you feel that tide coming in as the fight wore on?

AG - Yea, in the 6th round I took a break to catch my second wind.  After that my dad told me to start boxing, he was pressuring me but he wasn't effective with it.  I moved, and used my jab well, but he definitely pressured. 

BT - Now you have back to back wins over Gatti, and Tackie.  With those two wins behind you, are you looking for an even bigger name to fight next?

AG - Chavez Jr's name has been coming up and he mentioned my name on television.  After that Bob Arum, and The Contender people have been talking about it, and it seems that on March 28th of next year me and Chavez Jr will be fighting.  Chavez has to win his fight in December first.

BT - So you're breaking that right here on Boxingtalk, Gomez vs Chavez Jr in the works for March, 28th?

AG - That's correct.

BT - A lot of Chavez Jr's critics say that he's been given very easy opponents.  Some said the same thing about you, but you seemed to have erased those critics with your wins over Gatti and Tackie.

AG - Yes, I think everybody wants to see that fight.  We are two prospects that want to be world champions, it will be a very interesting fight.  I think that I have the upper hand in that fight because I have more experience.

BT - Zab Judah called you a pussy contender, and told you to keep your mouth shut.  What is your response to that?

AG - (Laughs) I just want him to keep winning and hopefully after Chavez Jr, I can fight Zab Judah.  Everything is a step by step process, after Chavez Jr I think Zab Judah would be the fighter out there for me to step up into the big ring.  It doesn't bother me what he said, it's kind of cool that he mentions my name good or bad.  The pure fact that he mentioned my name is pretty exciting for me, and motivating for me.

BT - What are your thoughts on The Contender 3 series?

AG - Well I have seen a few episodes, and they have changed the format since the first season, plus changed networks.  It's definitely a show that will keep going. It has the ratings, so look for a Contender 4.

BT - Give me your thoughts on Sergio Mora's performance against Ayala.

AG - I was in the locker room when that fight happened.  I can tell you that when he came into the locker room after his performance he was very upset.  He was saying that now he knows how it feels to have so much time off between fights.  I think Sergio should look for bigger names, but if he fights Ayala again, I have no doubt that he will win that fight.

BT - How long do you think it will take you to get your first world title shot?

AG - Hopefully next year at this time.  When I fight Chavez Jr I want to give a good fight, then Zab Judah after that.  Beating Zab Judah will really help me with my quest to be a world champion.  So, maybe two more fights.

BT - How do you match up against Zab Judah?

AG - Well I think I am bigger than him, and seeing what Cotto was able to do with him with pressure, and strength, I think I can do the same thing.  Zab Judah is a great all around boxer, but eventually I will wear him down like Miguel Cotto did.

BT - Do you have any closing thoughts for the fans?

AG - Thank you to all of my fans, I thank you all for your support.  You can read more about Alfonso Gomez at www.alfonsosgomez.com   I meet a lot of my fans through my forum on my website.  I am looking for a world title next year, I promise everyone that next year will be even better than this year.

M

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