Boxing
Michael Gomez Jr: Fighting for His Family Name and Manchester Pride
Despite family opposition, Michael Gomez Jr. embraced his boxing heritage, driven by Manchester pride and determination. In an exclusive interview, he talks about his journey, his father's legacy, and his drive to represent his community in the ring.
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Despite hailing from one of Manchester’s most famous fighting families, Michael Gomez Jr has revealed his nearest and dearest tried to steer him away from a boxing career.
The 29-year-old, son of a former British and WBU super-featherweight champion, was himself set to contest the Lonsdale belt last month before being forced to withdraw from a bout at the last minute with current holder Reece Bellotti.
Because the decision was taken at the behest of a medical professional rather than Gomez Jr’s camp, the pair still appear to be locked on a collision course with the British Boxing Board of control unlikely to downgrade his status as Bellotti’s mandatory challenger.
Speaking exclusively to SportsBoom.com, Gomez Jr said: “My family actually didn’t want me to box. They’d have rather I ended up doing something else and tried to steer me away from it in the beginning.”
“But I love to fight. I enjoy it. It’s what I feel I was born for and so you could say that I found boxing and boxing also found me.”
I work hard, and I dedicate myself to it. I’m totally focused, determined, and actually look forward to getting in the ring
Michael Gomez Jr
“I feel as if this is what I was born for. Boxing is in my blood. It’s who I am and a part of me.”
Gomez Jr, whose father was also called Michael and enjoyed cult-hero status among UK fans, had been set to face Bellotti on the undercard of Jack Catterall’s meeting with Regis Prograis at Co-op Live.
However, as a member of his team later explained, a doctor was called to the dressing room following Gomez Jr’s arrival at the venue ahead of the show.
After examining the Mancunian and requesting a urine sample, they diagnosed a kidney infection and ruled him unfit to compete.
An understandably emotional Bellotti was nevertheless unimpressed by the dramatic sequence of events, accusing Gomez Jr of “swallowing” the match-up.
However, given the circumstances, the pair could eventually face each other at some point next year although Bellotti hopes to be in action again before Christmas.
Michael Snr amassed a huge following in the North-West, with supporters attracted by his no-nonsense approach in the ring and stories about his sometimes-chaotic lifestyle outside of it.
Boasting a similarly all-action style, his son has also built a large and intensely loyal following with a large band of supporters from around his home in Moston travelling to provide backing at a public workout inside the National Football Museum before the aborted contest with Bellotti.
Listen, when you’re a boxer of course you want to do it for yourself.
Michael Gomez Jr
“But I tell you what, I want to do it for the people who come to watch me and support me as well. Yes, I do feel a responsibility to give them something to shout about because they put their hands in their pockets and spend their hard-earned money to do that.”
“I know what it means to do that. I get it. I understand it.”
“That’s why I get in there and give blood, sweat and tears. It’s important that the people who come to watch are entertained.”
“I’m out and about on the streets, selling tickets myself,” Gomez Jr added. “I’m not one of these fighters who started out with the backing of a big promoter.”
“I’ve had to fight for everything I’ve got and done so far. It’s been achieved the hard way. The proper way. That’s why I always bring everything.”
Neil has been a journalist for longer than he'd care to remember, having written for national newspapers and respected publications for over 25 years. For the last three years he has worked freelance for BBC Sport, working on the production desk as a sub-editor and also as a writer, covering a whole range of sports.