Exclusive Boxing Interview: Alfonso Gomez

Tonight, Alfonso Gomez, 18-3-2 (8), will be stepping in the ring with WBA Welterweight Champion Miguel Cotto, 31- 0 (25), for what will be his first opportunity at capturing a world title. Gomez, who made a name for himself on NBCʼs Contender series, has become more than a reality TV star and is perhaps the most successful cast member of that show.

Season one winner Sergio Mora has fought only three times against very limited competition, and although he has a shot at Vernon Forrest’s WBC 154 pound title this June, he has really failed to make a dent in his boxing career. By contrast, Gomez has beaten fighters such as former two division world champion Arturo Gatti, in what was Gattiʼs last bout, and more recently, world title challenger Ben Tackie.

Gomez has been dubbed a continuous underdog each time that he has stepped up in class, but in every instance, he has silenced his criticʼs. The question on everyoneʼs mind now is “Can Gomez once again prove the criticʼs wrong?” After all, Miguel Cotto is no Arturo Gatti or Ben Tackie. Cotto is undefeated and considered one of boxingʼs current pound for pound best fighters in the world. Cotto is also one of the sportʼs most feared punchers. When you add them together, Gomez starts looking like an even bigger underdog than usual.

Earlier this week, SaddoBoxing had a chance to speak with Alfonso and ask him how he felt about the odds being stacked so high against him and how he feels about receiving his first opportunity at a world title as well as what he has to say about the future. Read it here exclusively at SaddoBoxing!

SaddoBoxing: The last time that we spoke was before your bout with Arturo Gatti; it seems that every time we speak, you are taking a step up. Now you are about to get a shot at claiming your first world title. How do you feel?

Alfonso Gomez: (Laughs) “Well, that is a good thing right? I feel great today, I sparred 13 rounds against several different guys and everything went well.”

SB: How has training camp gone? You had some health issues from what I understand; is that under control now?

AG: “I am over it, was just a little bump in the road. It was nothing that serious. All fighters go through one thing or another during training, but I pulled through and I am ready to go on.”

SB: What exactly was wrong?

AG: “It was something to do with my pancreas. I was throwing up a lot and when I went to the doctor and had some test, it showed a high level in my enzymes. I was diagnosed with Thrombosis, so after that, I went all over the city being examined by other doctors, getting different opinions. In the end, it turned out to be a virus in the stomach. I am over it now and ready to fight.”

SB: There have been some videos on Youtube that documented different instances, such as the one where you are in a hospital bed and seemed to be just coming off sedation, that have garnered some criticism. People are saying you have been playing things up as a pre-excuse, so to speak, in case you should lose to Cotto; your comments on that?

AG: “That started during the Contender Challenge. I would bring a tiny video recorder everywhere with me, recording everything. It was to give fans a look at what a fighter goes through, the training, what we go through everyday getting ready for bouts. I also wanted to allow fans to see what goes on after the fight, not just the small time you see them during the press conference. I kept doing it and I did it leading up to my fights with Gatti and Tackie. My brother became involved and the videos got a little bit more professional, now we have a production company we started.”

SB: You have been the underdog in just about every fight I can remember you in. During the Contender series you were an underdog, the Gatti bout, the Tackie bout; It seems that follows you into all your bouts, yet each time things end with a win. Do you thrive off that pressure?

AG: “Everyone has made me the underdog so many times it is part of me now. I was the underdog in the Gatti fight, the Tackie fight. I was an underdog on the Contender, so now it does not bother me anymore. With Cotto, I will be fighting one of the best champions out there. Miguel is also a nice guy, he is humble, and he has values. Itʼs a great opportunity to fight him.”

SB: What about Miguel Cotto have you seen while watching his fights that could be a weakness in your favor?

AG: “In the past, I have noticed he does not seem to train that hard for opponents he does not view as a threat. He trains hard for the Mosleys and Judahs but slacks off when he faces lesser names, I hope that is the case this time because I trained hard and I am prepared. I think he may just be looking past me because he has a fight scheduled with Ricardo Mayorga before ours has even taken place.

“If that is the case he is making a mistake. I am the bigger man. I am also used to fighting super middleweights, something that is an advantage for me. The smart thing to do is box; if I feel strong, I will push him back, I know he is a better fighter coming forward than going backwards. I wouldnʼt just stand and trade.”

SB: If you win and become champion, what will be your first order of business?

AG: “I think there is a rematch clause, so before anything, I would have to fight Miguel again. I would give him a rematch even if there was no clause, though. He gave me a shot and he has always been a great champion. After that, it would be whoever was ready.”

SB: On the undercard of your bout, Antonio Margarito will be facing Kermit Cintron once again, this time it will be for Cintronʼs IBF title instead of Margaritoʼs WBO. Can we get a prediction on how this one will play out?

AG: “We are going to see fireworks, in my opinion. Kermit wants to prove the first time out he just wasnʼt ready and now he is, heʼs the IBF champion. Kermit will be throwing those looping power punches, going for the knockout. Margarito does not want a repeat of the Williams fight, so he isnʼt going to start off slow. It depends on how Cintron handles it, if he starts to fold from the pressure, it ends early. If he doesnʼt ,there is a good chance he will catch Margarito with one of those big looping shots and knock him out.”

SB: Would you be interested in fighting the winner of that bout, or even the loser, since both will still be among the top tier of the division?

AG: “Yeah, I would be open to fighting either of them, no matter what the outcome of these fights. Either way, one of them will be available for a fight. The welterweight division is the hottest division in the sport right now, no matter what, there are going to be good fights available. To be honest, I definitely have nothing to lose right now and everything to gain. Who ever I fight I am going to come out strong and give them hell.”

SB: Since the Contender Season One ended, it seems your career has progressed the furthest. Peter Manfredo has failed in both his attempts at stepping up in opponent caliber and seems happy to fight locally in Rhode Island. Sergio Mora has had two fights in which he looked terrible and were against nameless opponents. He somehow has a title shot in June against Vernon Forrest, but has not fought at 154 since 2004 or even made his way into the rankings. So far, each time you step up in caliber you come out ahead. Why is that?

AG: “I am just doing the best I can, taking advantage of what I have, going all out. I may not be the best guy out there, I mat not be the strongest or fastest, but I train hard and make no exceptions. I am determined to win.”

SB: Before we go, is there anything you would like to say to the fans that will be watching on April 12?

AG: “Thank you for all the support.”

SB: Alfonso, thank you for your time and good luck in the fight.