Puerto Rican boxing legend Wilfredo “Bazooka” Gómez died on Saturday night, October 10, 2026, at the age of 69, according to his son Wilfredo Gómez Jr. The former world champion, who held titles in three weight divisions and is a member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame, had reportedly been hospitalised for two weeks with respiratory complications. Further details are expected from the family.
Gómez’s death has brought Ghana’s 1984 world‑title win by Azumah Nelson back into focus. On December 8, 1984, Nelson travelled to San Juan, Puerto Rico, and knocked out the reigning WBC featherweight champion in the 11th round, a moment that catapulted him onto the global stage and remains a defining chapter in Ghanaian sporting history.
Known for his devastating power, Gómez had built an outstanding record, including 44 victories, 42 by knockout, across super‑bantamweight, featherweight and super‑featherweight. He defended the super‑bantamweight title 17 consecutive times, all by knockout, and was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1995.
Nelson’s triumph over Gómez was more than a personal achievement; it announced him as a major force in international boxing and sparked nationwide pride in Ghana. The fight, remembered for its intensity and the unexpected victory on foreign soil, is still celebrated as one of the nation’s greatest sporting moments.
As tributes pour in, Gómez’s legacy will endure in Puerto Rico and across the boxing world, while Ghana will continue to honour the night its hero Azumah Nelson captured a world championship against one of the sport’s most feared punchers.
