Juan Carlos Gómez


Juan Carlos Gómez is a Cuban former professional boxer who competed from 1995 to 2014. He held the WBC cruiserweight title from 1998 to 2002, and challenged once for the WBC heavyweight title in 2009. As of April 2020, BoxRec rates him the second best cruiserweight of all time.

Amateur career

Defeated Jan Schwank 9–4
Lost to Sven Ottke 9–9
Defeated Antonio Tarver 10–10
Lost to Thomas Ulrich 12–16

Professional career

Cruiserweight

The southpaw turned pro as a cruiser for Universum box promotions.
On 21 February 1998, in Mar del Plata, Argentina, Gómez won the WBC Cruiserweight title from reigning champion, Marcelo Fabian Dominguez via a unanimous decision.
Nicknamed "Black Panther", Gómez ruled the cruiserweight division from 1998–2001, successfully defending his WBC Cruiserweight title against ten different fighters.
Among his notable defenses were those against Dominguez, Imamu Mayfield and the smaller Jorge Castro who was KOd for the first time. James Toney declined a title shot when he was mandatory and later fought and beat Vassily Jirov.
He then vacated the title in February 2002 in order to move up to the Heavyweight ranks.

Heavyweight

In 2001 Gómez tested the waters in the heavyweight division and beaten durable veteran Al Cole by TKO 6. Gómez then moved back down to defend his title against Pietro Aurino, and after defeating Aurino he moved up to heavyweight permanently.
Gómez has had some success at heavyweight, capturing wins over Sinan Samil Sam and David Defiagbon, but was shockingly TKO'd by fellow Cuban Yanqui Díaz in the first round in 2004.
Gómez defeated Don King promoted Oliver McCall via a ten-round decision on 15 October 2005, a result which was changed shortly thereafter to a no contest after Gomez failed a post-fight drug test due to a presence of cocaine. Gómez vehemently denied the charge and backed this up by producing a negative test where no drugs were found in his system, though this test was taken two months after the fight.
After that Gómez announced that he converted to Islam. Gómez stated, '"After they stole my victory over Oliver McCall because of doping in October 2005 I was totally devastated. I swear that I never doped in my life. After the fight I went to the USA where I was built up by the Black Muslim community. That's why I converted to Islam. I thank Allah for giving me back my courage, energy and self esteem."' Gómez then returned to the ring on 15 December 2006 and on 19 October 2007, once again outpointed Oliver McCall winning the WBC International Heavyweight title in the process, then on 27 September 2008, at the Color Line Arena in Hamburg, Germany, Gómez defeated Vladimir Virchis to become the #1 contender for the WBC heavyweight title.
Gómez faced WBC Heavyweight titleholder Vitali Klitschko on 21 March in Stuttgart, Germany. Early in the fight, Gomez managed to frustrate Klitschko by diverting a large number of jabs, but eventually Klitschko was able to establish control using his immense size and superior punching power. He was floored by a big right hand in round seven, but managed to get up. After a barrage of punches in round nine, the referee stopped the fight.
On 27 March 2010, Gómez made a successful comeback, defeating Alexey Mazikin to win the WBA International Heavyweight title. He went on to defeat Alexander Kahl of Germany on April 9 in Hamburg to record his second victory in a fortnight.

Professional boxing record

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
60Loss55–4 Dmitry KudryashovKO1, 0:2228 Nov 2014 Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow, RussiaLost WBA International cruiserweight title
59Win55–3 Goran DelicTKO5, 1:326 Jul 2014 Akhmat-Arena, Grozny, RussiaWon vacant WBA International cruiserweight title
58Win54–3 Ivica Bacurin88 Mar 2014 Messzi István Sportcsarnok, Kecskemét, Hungary
57Win53–3 Jindrich VeleckyUD823 Nov 2013 CU Arena, Hamburg, Germany
56Win52–3 Adnan BuharalijaTKO2, 2:551 Nov 2013 ASV-Halle, Dachau, Germany
55Win51–3 Maksym PedyuraUD811 May 2012 EWS Arena, Göppingen, Germany
54Win50–3 Darnell WilsonTKO4, 0:2221 Apr 2012 Sport- und Kongresshalle, Schwerin, Germany
53Loss49–3 Darnell Wilson1024 Sep 2011 Dima Sport-Center, Hamburg, Germany
52Win49–2 Harold SconiersTKO4, 0:274 Dec 2010 Sport- und Kongresshalle, Schwerin, Germany
51Win48–2 Zack PageUD831 Jul 2010 O2 World, Hamburg, Germany
50Win47–2 Oezcan CetinkayaUD84 Jun 2010 Karl-Eckel-Weg Halle, Hattersheim am Main, Germany
49Win46-2 Alexander KahlUD89 Apr 2010 Sport- und Kongresshalle, Schwerin, Germany
48Win45–2 Oleksiy MazikinKO3, 2:4427 Mar 2010 Alsterdorfer Sporthalle, Hamburg, GermanyWon vacant WBA International heavyweight title
47Loss44–2 Vitali KlitschkoTKO9, 1:4921 Mar 2009 Hanns-Martin-Schleyer-Halle, Stuttgart, GermanyFor WBC heavyweight title
46Win44–1 Volodymyr VirchisUD1227 Sep 2008 Color Line Arena, Hamburg, Germany
45Win43–1 Oliver McCallUD1219 Oct 2007 Estrel Hotel, Berlin, GermanyWon WBC International heavyweight title
44Win42–1 Denis BakhtovUD1216 Jun 2007 Atatürk Sport Hall, Ankara, TurkeyWon vacant PABA heavyweight title
43Win41–1 Adenilson RodriguesTKO1, 0:3310 Feb 2007 Grand Elysée Hotel, Hamburg, GermanyWon vacant WBC Latino heavyweight title
42Win40–1 Daniel FrankKO3, 2:0015 Dec 2006 Alsterdorfer Sporthalle, Hamburg, Germany
4139–1 Oliver McCallUD1015 Oct 2005 Burg-Wächter Castello, Düsseldorf, GermanyOriginally a UD win for Gómez, later ruled an NC after he failed a drug test
40Win39–1 George AriasKO4, 2:2728 May 2005 Hanns-Martin-Schleyer-Halle, Stuttgart, Germany
39Win38–1 David DefiagbonTKO3, 2:5815 Jan 2005 Bördelandhalle, Magdeburg, Germany
38Loss37–1 Yanqui DíazTKO1, 1:4613 Aug 2004 Entertainment Center, Laredo, Texas, US
37Win37–0 Sinan Şamil SamUD1027 Sep 2003 HSBC Arena, Buffalo, New York, US
36Win36–0 Daniel FrankTKO2 17 Aug 2002 Estrel Hotel, Berlin, Germany
35Win35–0 Ken MurphyTKO5 16 Mar 2002 Hanns-Martin-Schleyer-Halle, Stuttgart, Germany
34Win34–0 Pietro AurinoTKO6 3 Nov 2001 Hansehalle, Lübeck, GermanyRetained WBC cruiserweight title
33Win33–0 Al ColeTKO5, 1:104 Aug 2001 Mandalay Bay Events Center, Paradise, Nevada, US
32Win32–0 Jorge CastroTKO10, 1:5616 Dec 2000 Grugahalle, Essen, GermanyRetained WBC cruiserweight title
31Win31–0 Imamu MayfieldKO3, 0:506 May 2000 Swissôtel, Neuss, GermanyRetained WBC cruiserweight title
30Win30–0 Mohamed SiluvangiTKO2, 2:3511 Mar 2000 Hansehalle, Lübeck, GermanyRetained WBC cruiserweight title
29Win29–0 Napoleon TagoeKO9, 1:2511 Dec 1999 Alsterdorfer Sporthalle, Hamburg, GermanyRetained WBC cruiserweight title
28Win28–0 Bruce ScottTKO6, 2:4517 Jul 1999 Philips Halle, Düsseldorf, GermanyRetained WBC cruiserweight title
27Win27–0 Marcelo DomínguezUD1213 Mar 1999 Hansehalle, Lübeck, GermanyRetained WBC cruiserweight title
26Win26–0 Rodney GordonTKO2, 2:1912 Dec 1998 Ballsporthalle, Frankfurt, GermanyRetained WBC cruiserweight title
25Win25–0 Alexey IlyinTKO2, 2:353 Oct 1998 Prinz-Garden Halle, Augsburg, GermanyRetained WBC cruiserweight title
24Win24–0 Guy WatersTKO6, 1:305 Jun 1998 Sporthalle Wandsbek, Hamburg, GermanyRetained WBC cruiserweight title
23Win23–0 Marcelo Domínguez1221 Feb 1998 Polideportivo Islas Malvinas, Mar del Plata, ArgentinaWon WBC cruiserweight title
22Win22–0 Mike RobinsonKO28 Nov 1997 Ballsporthalle, Frankfurt, Germany
21Win21–0 Mike SedilloKO2 4 Oct 1997 Stadionsporthalle, Hanover, Germany
20Win20–0 Ted CofieTKO4 12 Jul 1997 Berlet-Halle, Hagen, GermanyRetained WBC International cruiserweight title
19Win19–0 Valeriy VykhorTKO5 14 Jun 1997 Saaltheater Geulen, Aachen, GermanyRetained WBC International cruiserweight title
18Win18–0 Guy SonnenbergKO110 May 1997 Ballsporthalle, Frankfurt, Germany
17Win17–0 Jose Arimatea da SilvaTKO9 8 Mar 1997 Sartory-Saal, Cologne, GermanyRetained WBC International cruiserweight title
16Win16–0 Ron CarterTKO322 Feb 1997 Sporthalle Wandsbek, Hamburg, Germany
15Win15–0 Mike PeakPTS825 Jan 1997 Maritim Hotel, Stuttgart, Germany
14Win14–0 Dan WardKO1 21 Dec 1996 Zoological Garden, Frankfurt, GermanyRetained WBC International cruiserweight title
13Win13–0 Brian LaSpadaTKO11 19 Oct 1996 Zoological Garden, Frankfurt, GermanyRetained WBC International cruiserweight title
12Win12–0 Philippe MichelTKO9 17 Aug 1996 Zoological Garden, Frankfurt, GermanyWon vacant WBC International cruiserweight title
11Win11–0 Ludomir DubacTKO28 Jun 1996 Sporthalle, Cologne, Germany
10Win10–0 Tim KnightPTS84 May 1996 Sport- und Erholungszentrum, Berlin, Germany
9Win9–0 David RobinsonTKO213 Apr 1996 Sporthalle Wandsbek, Hamburg, Germany
8Win8–0 Eduardo Antonio CarranzaTKO2 6 Apr 1996 Stadionsporthalle, Hanover, Germany
7Win7–0 Bobbie Joe EdwardsTKO5 16 Mar 1996 Deutschlandhalle, Berlin, Germany
6Win6–0 Cesar Agustin BasualdoTKO1 25 Feb 1996 Universum Gym, Hamburg, Germany
5Win5–0 Karoly KovacsTKO210 Feb 1996 Stadthalle, Cottbus, Germany
4Win4–0 Keith McMurrayTKO4 25 Nov 1995 Stadthalle, Braunschweig, Germany
3Win3–0 Donnie Penelton2 19 Aug 1995 Eisstadion an der Brehmstraße, Düsseldorf, Germany
2Win2–0 Hedi El Assaidi4, 2:305 Aug 1995 Sport- und Erholungszentrum, Berlin, Germany
1Win1–0 Dale Jackson620 May 1995 Alsterdorfer Sporthalle, Hamburg, Germany

Television viewership

Germany

DateFightViewership NetworkSource
15 January 2005Juan Carlos Gomez vs. David Defiagbon2,260,000ZDF
28 May 2005Juan Carlos Gomez vs. George Arias1,020,000ZDF
15 October 2005Juan Carlos Gomez vs. Oliver McCall I2,000,000ZDF
21 March 2009Vitali Klitschko vs. Juan Carlos Gomez10,880,000RTL Television
Total viewership16,160,000