Governor declares 3 days of mourning for the passing of Wilfredo Gómez

By THE STAR STAFF

Gov. Jenniffer González Colón has declared three days of mourning following the death of three-time world boxing champion Wilfredo “Bazooka” Gómez.

González Colón ordered flags at all public facilities to be flown at half-staff starting Wednesday through Friday, as a mark of respect and solidarity.

Gómez, considered one of the great figures of Puerto Rican boxing, passed away last Saturday at the age of 69. His death was confirmed by his family. The former world champion had been facing health issues in recent years.

A native of the Las Monjas neighborhood in San Juan, Gómez won three world championships in different weight classes: super bantamweight, featherweight and super featherweight. In the 122-pound division, he set one of professional boxing’s most remarkable records by successfully defending his world title 17 consecutive times -- all by knockout -- a feat recognized by Guinness World Records.

Gómez’s final title defense took place on Dec. 3, 1982, when he defeated Mexico’s Lupe Pintor in the 14th round. That victory belongs to an era of boxing that no longer exists under current rules, as sanctioning bodies began reducing world championship bouts from 15 to 12 rounds starting in 1983. He finished his career with a record of 44 wins, three losses and one draw, including 42 victories by knockout.

Gómez represented Puerto Rico at the 1976 Montreal Olympic Games and launched his professional career that same year. Among his most memorable victories were those against Carlos Zárate and Pintor. In 1995, he was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, New York, an honor that cemented his legacy as one of the premier champions in the history of Puerto Rican sports.