28.01.09 – by James Slater – British super-featherweights Michael Gomez and Ricky Burns will meet in an eagerly anticipated match on March 27th, in Glasgow, Scotland. Scottish boxer Burns will be defending his Commonwealth 130-pound title against the always colourful Gomez, who hails from Manchester (born in Ireland). Yesterday, in Glasgow, after the official press conference to announce the fight, the two men almost came to blows early..
The two men had to be separated by security as things turned nasty during a photo shoot. This is nothing new, of course, when it comes to the cocky and full of himself Gomez. The 31-year-old is known for his hotheadedness and ability to make things interesting pre-fight; and yesterday the warrior managed to get under his younger opponent’s skin. Burns gave back as good as he got, however.
Gomez, 38-9(25) knows the March 27th fight is almost certainly his last chance at the big time, especially as he has suffered defeats in two of his last six bouts. Adding to the always exciting slugger’s desire to win against the 25-year-old Burns is the probability that he may land a lucrative rematch with another Scottish fighter – “Amazing” Alex Arthur. Arthur was not so amazing back in October of 2003, when he was beaten by Gomez in five rounds. The fight was amazing, though, and providing he gets past Burns, “The Predator” will likely clash with Arthur again this year.
“All I’m thinking about is beating Ricky Burns and I will beat him,” Gomez said earlier yesterday. “I’m straightforward. If I don’t like you I come to your face and tell you I don’t like you. Ricky was in the papers saying he is going to finish my career but then he comes to my face, is dead nice and shakes my hand. We will see on the night. I will beat Ricky Burns.”
Then, in turning to Burns, Gomez said to him, “I’ll take you to school, pal.” To which Burns replied, “The only thing you will be walking away with is your pay cheque.”
Gomez, who is easily annoyed, took umbrage when the 25-year-old said he was only taking the fight for a final payday.
“If I was here for my last payday then I would have taken the fight with Alex Arthur that was offered,” countered Gomez. “Alex and I will definitely happen, but I can’t disrespect Ricky. I have to concentrate on this fight first but the fight with Alex Arthur is too big a fight not to happen. It will happen, but first things first.”
While the prospect of another fight even half as good as the one Gomez and Arthur put on over five years ago is mouth-watering, March’s fight also promises to be a good scrap.
Burns, who has never been stopped in his 25-2(6) pro career, took his turn to speak about his rival and the upcoming fight.
“I don’t really get tied up with all this [heated rivalry],” Burns said. “Michael is Michael and that’s just the way he is. I’m in this for the love of the sport, not to bad-mouth people. Michael has been bad-mouthing me so I will give him a chance and we will see come fight night who is going to get shut up.”
With the combined styles of the two men, along with the added needle, March 27th looks sure to provide us with an explosive fight.