Wilfredo ‘Bazooka’ Gómez dies at 69

Puerto Rican boxing legend Wilfredo ‘Bazooka’ Gómez has passed away at the age of 69. A three-time world champion, Gómez was widely regarded as one of the greatest fighters in Puerto Rican history.

His professional career was defined by his dominance in the super bantamweight division, where he achieved a historic feat by recording 17 consecutive title defenses, all via knockout. He first rose to international prominence as an amateur champion at the 1974 World Amateur Boxing Championships in Havana.

A funeral service was held at the Coliseo in San Juan, attended by hundreds of fans, family members, and sports personalities. The passing of the Santurce-born fighter has prompted a period of national mourning in Puerto Rico.